TITLE XXX
OCCUPATIONS AND PROFESSIONS

Chapter 327-A
OPHTHALMIC DISPENSING

Section 327-A:1

    327-A:1 Definitions. –
In this chapter:
I. "Ophthalmic dispensing" means the design, verification, and delivery to the intended wearer of lenses, frames, and other specially fabricated optical devices upon prescription. It includes, but is not limited to, prescription analysis and interpretation; the taking of measurements, including the pupillary distance, to determine the size, shape, and specifications of the spectacle lenses, frames, or lens forms best suited to the wearer's needs; the preparation and delivery of work orders to laboratory technicians engaged in grinding lenses and fabricating eyewear; the verification of the quality of finished ophthalmic products, the adjustment of lenses or frames to the intended wearer's face; the delivery of such ophthalmic products including instruction in hygiene and insertion and removal of contact lenses; and the adjustment, replacement, and reproduction of previously prepared ophthalmic lenses, frames, contact lenses, or other specially fabricated ophthalmic devices. It does not include the alteration without permission of the prescriber of any prescriptions, nor does it include the fitting of contact lenses which may only be performed by ophthalmologists or optometrists pursuant to law regulating such practices, unless the ophthalmic dispenser is in possession of a statement of delegation authorizing the fitting of contact lenses.
II. "Fitting contact lenses" means measurement of the shape of the eye, as well as determining the lens specifications, including base curve, size, shape, thickness, color, and material composition.
III. "Prescription for spectacle lenses" means a dated and signed, written or oral direction not more than 24 months old from an ophthalmologist or optometrist for therapeutic or corrective lenses which states the prescribed refractive power and when necessary, the vertex distance, cylinder axis, and prism. The oral prescription must be recorded and kept on file for one year by the ophthalmic dispenser.
IV. "Prescription for contact lenses" means a dated and signed, written direction specifying that it is for contact lenses or plano lenses, and shall include at least the power, size, curvature, color, and material composition of the lenses. A prescription for contact lenses may also include, at the prescriber's professional discretion, other parameters or instructions such as lens manufacturer, prescription expiration date, number of permitted refills, and a statement prohibiting substitutions. Such parameters or instructions shall be honored by a person filling the prescription. Unless otherwise specified by the prescriber for health reasons, a contact lens prescription shall expire one year from the date of issue.
V. [Repealed.]
VI. [Repealed.]
VI-a. "Executive director" means the executive director of the office of professional licensure and certification.
VII. "Ophthalmic dispenser/optician" means anyone who sells or dispenses, upon prescription, spectacles, eyeglasses or contact lenses.
VIII. "Statement of delegation" means a written, signed statement from the prescribing ophthalmologist or optometrist which authorizes a named ophthalmic dispenser to fit the prescription for contact lenses. The statement shall be written on the prescription for contact lenses or shall be a letter which shall be attached to the prescription for contact lenses.
IX. "Plano lenses" means contact lenses with no refractive power.

Source. 1989, 389:1. 1995, 310:157, 158. 1998, 308:1. 2011, 121:4, 5. 2015, 276:92, 108, XXI, eff. July 1, 2015. 2022, 298:1, eff. Jan. 1, 2023.

Section 327-A:2

    327-A:2 Registration of Ophthalmic Dispensers. – It shall be unlawful for any person to engage in the business of ophthalmic dispensing or the practice of dispensing contact lenses unless such person is registered in accordance with this chapter and unless the registration of such person is current and valid. No person shall engage in the fitting of contact lenses unless the person has a statement of delegation from an ophthalmologist or optometrist.

Source. 1989, 389:1, eff. Jan. 1, 1990.

Section 327-A:2-a

    327-A:2-a Pupillary Distance Measurement. – The pupillary distance measurement, if taken within the previous 24 months, shall be made available to the wearer upon request. Nothing shall prevent the ophthalmic dispenser, or their employer, from charging a fee for any ophthalmic dispensing services.

Source. 2022, 298:2, eff. Jan. 1, 2023.

Section 327-A:3

    327-A:3 Application for Registration. –
An application for a certificate of registration for ophthalmic dispensing under this chapter shall be filed with the office in such form and detail as the executive director shall require in accordance with rules adopted under RSA 541-A, shall be duly signed and shall include, but not be limited to:
I. The name and the business address of the applicant; if an individual, the name under which he intends to conduct business; if a partnership, the name and business address of each member thereof, and the name under which the business is to be conducted; if a corporation, the name of the corporation and the name and business address of each of the officers of the corporation.
II. The place or places, including the complete address or addresses, where the business is to be conducted.

Source. 1989, 389:1. 1995, 310:175, 183, eff. Nov. 1, 1995. 2017, 144:17, eff. Aug. 15, 2017. 2024, 327:114, eff. July 1, 2024.

Section 327-A:4

    327-A:4 Repealed by 2010, 368:1(27), eff. Dec. 31, 2010. –

Section 327-A:5

    327-A:5 Powers and Duties of the Executive Director. –
The powers and duties of the executive director under this chapter include:
I. Accepting applications for certificates of registration under this chapter, and approving or denying such applications.
II. Renewing certificates of registration.
III. Suspending or revoking certificates of registration upon the grounds listed in RSA 327-A:9, and conducting hearings regarding the denial, suspension, revocation and renewal of certificates as provided in RSA 327-A:11.
IV. Accepting written complaints from the public against registrants and conducting necessary investigations upon such written complaints.
V. Publicizing the complaint procedure.
VI. Adopting such rules under RSA 541-A as are necessary to carry out the purposes of this chapter, but in no instance shall the executive director adopt rules limiting competition, prohibiting truthful advertising, affecting the location or number of practices or the employment of any person registered under this chapter.
VII. Reporting to the governor and council annually on the activities conducted under this chapter.
VIII. [Repealed.]

Source. 1989, 389:1. 1995, 310:183. 2010, 368:28, V. 2015, 276:93, 94, eff. July 1, 2015.

Section 327-A:6

    327-A:6 Issuance of Certificate. – Except as provided in RSA 327-A:9, the executive director shall issue a certificate of registration for ophthalmic dispensing to any person who files an application for such certificate accompanied by the required application and registration fees within 30 days after the filing of such application.

Source. 1989, 389:1. 1995, 310:183. 2015, 276:93, eff. July 1, 2015.

Section 327-A:7

    327-A:7 Application and Registration Fees. – Every application for a certificate of registration for ophthalmic dispensing shall be accompanied by a non-refundable registration fee. Upon approval of the application by the office, the applicant shall be issued a certificate of registration for ophthalmic dispensing, which shall be renewed every 2 years in accordance with RSA 310:8.

Source. 1989, 389:1. 1995, 310:183. 2012, 171:18. 2014, 167:48. 2015, 229:12, eff. July 1, 2015; 276:93, eff. July 1, 2015. 2022, 314:11, eff. July 1, 2022. 2024, 327:115, eff. July 1, 2024.

Section 327-A:8

    327-A:8 Display of Certificate. – Any person who has been issued a certificate of registration under this chapter shall conspicuously display such certificate in his principal place of business.

Source. 1989, 389:1, eff. Jan. 1, 1990.

Section 327-A:9

    327-A:9 Suspension, Revocation or Refusal to Issue Certificate. –
The executive director may deny the application for a certificate of registration and may suspend or revoke the registration of any ophthalmic dispenser issued pursuant to this chapter or refuse to issue a renewal thereof if it is determined after hearing that such applicant or registrant:
I. Has made a material false statement or concealed a material fact in connection with his application for certificate of registration;
II. Has had a certificate of registration issued under this chapter revoked or suspended previously;
III. Has been found guilty of fraud or fraudulent practices after prosecution by the attorney general, or has used dishonest or misleading advertising;
IV. Has failed to follow the orders on the prescription of an ophthalmologist or optometrist;
V. Has failed to comply with any other provision of this chapter or any rules promulgated by the executive director.

Source. 1989, 389:1. 1995, 310:183, eff. Nov. 1, 1995. 2017, 144:17, eff. Aug. 15, 2017.

Section 327-A:10

    327-A:10 Repealed by 2024, 327:117, I, eff. July 1, 2024. –

Section 327-A:11

    327-A:11 Repealed by 2024, 327:117, II, eff. July 1, 2024. –

Section 327-A:12

    327-A:12 Rulemaking. –
The executive director shall adopt rules, pursuant to RSA 541-A, relative to:
I. Eligibility requirements for registration.
II. Eligibility requirements for a renewal or reinstatement of a registration to practice ophthalmic dispensing, in accordance with RSA 327-A:3.
III. [Repealed.]
IV. Ethical and professional standards required to be met by registrants.
V. The conduct of investigations, in accordance with RSA 327-A:11.
VI. A schedule of administrative fines pursuant to RSA 327-A:17 for the violation of the provisions of this chapter or rules adopted pursuant to this chapter.
VII. Procedures for notice and hearing prior to denial, suspension, or revocation of a registration, and the imposition of administrative fines.
VIII. Procedures for the handling of complaints.
IX. Procedures for the approval or denial of an application.
X. Procedures for suspension or revocation of a registration.
XI. Procedures for appeal of decisions of the executive director made pursuant to the provisions of this subdivision and rules adopted pursuant to this subdivision.
XII. Waivers of applicable rules.
XIII. Ophthalmic dispensing to young children, as necessary.

Source. 1989, 389:1. 1995, 310:182. 1998, 308:2. 2012, 171:17. 2014, 167:51, III. 2015, 276:93, eff. July 1, 2015. 2021, 197:99, eff. July 1, 2021.

Section 327-A:12-a

    327-A:12-a Telemedicine. – Registered ophthalmic dispensers shall be permitted to provide services through the use of telemedicine, as defined in RSA 310:7.

Source. 2020, 27:28, eff. July 21, 2020. 2024, 327:116, eff. July 1, 2024.

Section 327-A:13

    327-A:13 Persons and Practices Not Affected. –
Nothing in this chapter shall apply to:
I. Licensed physicians and surgeons authorized to practice medicine or surgery and licensed optometrists authorized to practice optometry under the laws of this state.
II. [Repealed.]
III. Any individual, firm, or corporation employing persons registered under this chapter.
IV. The activities of any employee of an ophthalmic dispenser, licensed physician, or optometrist if the employee is not engaged in ophthalmic dispensing as defined in RSA 327-A:1, I. Such activities shall include, but not be limited to, the sale of related products, work performed by laboratory technicians, and the making of minor mechanical repairs on eyeglasses or frames.

Source. 1989, 389:1. 1998, 308:3. 1999, 221:1, 2, eff. Sept. 4, 1999.

Section 327-A:14

    327-A:14 Renewal of Registration; Continuing Education. – Certificates of registration issued under this chapter shall be subject to renewal every 2 years and shall expire unless renewed in the manner prescribed by the executive director. Certificates of registration for ophthalmic dispensing shall be renewed upon the payment of the renewal fee and the completion of 8 credits of continuing education during the previous 2-year period. Any national, regional, or state optical company, trade, or professional group is authorized to sponsor continuing education programs approved by the American Board of Opticianry, the National Contact Lens Examiners, or the executive director. The executive director shall authorize continuing education programs which contribute to the advancement, extension, or enhancement of the professional skills and the technical knowledge of opticians.

Source. 1989, 389:1. 1995, 310:183. 1998, 308:4. 2010, 368:13. 2015, 276:95, eff. July 1, 2015. 2017, 144:17, eff. Aug. 15, 2017.

Section 327-A:15

    327-A:15 Repealed by 2024, 327:117, III, eff. July 1, 2024. –

Section 327-A:16

    327-A:16 Civil Claims. – Any person injured by the actions of a person engaged in the dispensing of ophthalmic devices or contact lenses in violation of any of the provisions of this chapter may bring a civil action to recover damages suffered by reason of the violation.

Source. 1989, 389:1, eff. Jan. 1, 1990.

Section 327-A:17

    327-A:17 Repealed by 2024, 327:117, IV, eff. July 1, 2024. –