FL S0868

Reduces Board of Optometry from five to four licensed practitioners and adds one board-certified ophthalmologist licensed under chapter 458 or 459.

Allows nonlicensed supportive personnel to dispense optical devices and perform final fitting under optometrist supervision, in addition to existing duties of data gathering and preliminary testing.

Prohibits the Board of Optometry from adopting rules that prohibit optometry practice in commercial establishments or rules restricting licensed practitioners from using practice identification names or advertising claims about service quality.

Establishes tiered education requirements for optician licensure applicants, including new standards effective July 1, 2013 requiring accreditation by Council for Higher Education Accreditation, and creates separate apprenticeship tracks for those registering before and after July 1, 2011.

Narrows the definition of unlawful conduct by opticians to prohibit only diagnosis of human eyes and treatment of eye diseases, removing the prohibition on attempting to determine refractive powers.