Answers for Optical Retailers and their Employees


Are there any activities an unlicensed employee may perform for an optical retailer?

Yes, the following activities are not dispensing and do not require a license:

  • Educating customers about the materials and standard features of lenses (e.g. poly, hi index, plastic, glass) or about contact lens wear (e.g. “Lens X is only two weeks wear, while Lens Y can be worn for a month.”)
  • Helping customers choose frames based upon aesthetics (frames to suit the face)
  • Providing customers with pricing information
  • Entering customers’ names, addresses, or insurance information into the employer’s computer or performing cashiering duties
  • Fulfilling work orders prepared by licensed opticians for the fabrication of prescription lenses (i.e. laboratory work – the fabrication and grinding of lenses); Please note: the final inspection of the lenses must be done by a licensed optician.

Which activities must be performed by a licensed dispensing optician?

The following activities are dispensing and must be performed by a licensed optician:

  • Recommending frames or lenses to customers based upon their prescriptions (i.e. which frames or lenses will work with a particular prescription)
  • Entering prescription information into the employer’s computer or otherwise preparing laboratory work orders for prescription lenses
  • Performing final inspections (i.e. verifying the quality or correctness) of prescription lenses before they are delivered to customers
  • Placing finished work orders on the counter to be picked up and paid for by customers or otherwise delivering finished work orders to customers

I own/represent an out-of-state business that sells prescription ophthalmic products over the internet. Some of our products may be sold to Nevada residents. Do I need to hire a Nevada-licensed optician in order to sell these products to Nevada residents?

The Nevada Board of Dispensing Opticians regulates persons and businesses domiciled in the state of Nevada who sell corrective ophthalmic products. The board does not hold jurisdiction over persons and businesses located outside Nevada, and therefore, does not regulate these sales.

    I own/represent a Nevada business that sells corrective ophthalmic products over the internet. Some of our products may be sold to Nevada residents. Do I need to hire a Nevada-licensed optician in order to sell these products in Nevada?

    Businesses operating in Nevada are subject to Nevada law which requires ophthalmic dispensing be performed by a licensed optician. Workers performing any of the following tasks must be licensed:

    • Recommending frames or lenses to customers based upon their prescriptions (i.e. which frames or lenses will work with a particular prescription)
    • Entering prescription information into the employer’s computer or otherwise preparing laboratory work orders for prescription lenses
    • Performing final inspections (i.e. verifying the quality or correctness) of prescription lenses before they are delivered to customers