Our History

Noteworthy Legislative Achievements:

1982: Established a separate opticianry board within the Department of Health, independent of optometric rule.

1998: Further advanced the profession by requiring a two year mandatory ophthalmic science degree.

2007: Separated opticianry rules and regulations from the rules of optometry

2007: Passed Law to give opticians the ability to change add powers in spectacle Rxs. Strengthened eyewear duplication language.

2011: Eliminated the one year apprenticeship requirement for licensing.

2012:  Established first annual college scholarship award to a CCRI opticianry student.

2018: Name changed to:   Opticians Association of Rhode Island

2020: OARI becomes a 501 (c) (6) non-profit Association