NC S525

Reduces apprenticeship requirements from three and one-half years to two and one-half years for dispensing optician licensure under a licensed optician, optometrist, or ophthalmologist.

Allows four-year college or university graduates in health-related fields to complete either a two-year opticianry course or a two-year apprenticeship instead of the standard requirements.

Permits applicants to complete the required six-month internship either before or after passing the examination, provided they meet minimum qualifications at the time the internship begins.

Increases licensure fees including examination fees ($200 to $300), initial license fees ($50 to $100), renewal fees ($100 to $150), and apprentice registration fees ($25 to $35), with new fees for optician-in-charge registration ($50) and license restoration.

Requires the Board to adopt rules designating nationally recognized examinations that satisfy parts or all of the North Carolina dispensing optician examination, allowing applicants to credit scores from national tests completed within three years prior to examination.