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