Florida Board of Opticianry

The Board of Opticianry operates within the Florida Department of Health. The seven member board, appointed by the governor, monitors the professional conduct, education, and licensure of Florida opticians. The board also works to enforce the laws and rules that govern the profession.

Board of Opticianry Office
4052 Bald Cypress Way, Bin #C08
Tallahassee, FL 32399-3258
(850) 245-4292

info@floridasopticianry.gov

Organizational Structure of the Board

The Department of Health's Division of Medical Quality Assurance serves as the principal administrative support unit for the Board. The Board is supported by a full-time professional staff based in Tallahassee, and its regulatory functions are funded in full by fees paid by its licensees. Board members are appointed by the Governor and subject to confirmation by the Senate. Unless filling a vacancy, members of the Board generally serve two four-year terms. Despite the expiration of a term, Board members can continue to serve until they have been either replaced or reappointed or serve the maximum of ten years as governed by s. 457.103, F.S. To learn more about becoming a member of the Board, visit the Governor’s Appointments Office website or email appointments@eog.myflorida.com.

Important Notice

All correspondence and inquiries should be directed to the Board of Opticianry Staff at 4052 Bald Cypress Way, Bin #C08, Tallahassee, FL 32399-3258 and not the individual board members.

Since this Board serves as a "quasi judicial" entity on licensure issues, contact with the members may cause the members to recuse themselves from administrative proceedings. Staff will direct inquiries, when appropriate to the full Board for review.

Optician Board Members:

Paul Wilford, Board Chair

Licensed Optician
Tallahassee, FL
Term Ends: 12/20/2025

Jeffrey Taylor, Vice Chair

Licensed Optician
Deerfield Beach, FL
Term Ends: 03/19/2025

Yvonne Schloss

Licensed Optician

Osprey, FL

Term Ends: 12/20/2025

Vacant Seat

Consumer Board Members:

Irene Stavros, RDH

Consumer Member
Miami, FL
Term Ends: 10/31/2018

Consumer Member

Vacant

Board Administrative Staff:

Ashleigh K. Irving
Executive Director
Responsibilities: To serve as Chief Administrative Officer of the Board of Opticianry, coordinate administration of budget, analyze and track Legislation, act as liaison with state and national associations, and interact with Board Members.

Email Board Staff

Eric Pottschmidt

Program Operations Administrator

Responsibilities: Responsible for the administrative oversight of the regulatory process regarding Board of Opticianry, and the provision of board office services to support the Board of Opticianry.

Email Board Staff

Chloe Winter
Regulatory Specialist II, Team Lead
Responsibilities: Responsible for processing licensure applications and their associated requirements for Opticians, Apprentice Opticians, and Optical Establishments.

Email Board Staff

Max Zitomer
Regulatory Specialist II
Responsibilities: Process mail and answers the main phone line.

Email Board Staff

Frances "Danielle" Houston
OPS Regulatory Specialist II
Responsibilities: Process mail and answers the main phone line.

Email Board Staff

Judith Baxter
Regulatory Spec Responsible for agenda and board meeting preparations, board member and office STMS travel coordination, and coordinates and reconciles office and travel purchasing card transactions. Along with other administrative duties, also communicates with board members, other state agencies, and the general public to answer questions relating to board meeting procedures.

Email Board Staff

Board Counsel

Ronald “Tom” Jones
Assistant Attorney General

850-414-3799
Email Board Counsel

Rose Garrison
Assistant General Counsel, Prosecutor

Renewing your Florida Opticians License

The Florida Department of Health has a new Online Portal Service for MQA.

When you use the MQA Online Services Portal for the first time, you will be required to register for a new user account using a valid, active email address, and add your license to your account. On this page we walk you through the Steps needed to setup an account and renew your license.

Step 1 >> Register for a New User Account

Visit the MQA Portal, select No and click Register to begin the registration process.

Step 2 >> Log into your New Account

Check your email INBOX, JUNK, SPAM, CLUTTER and TRASH folders to locate your new account user ID and temporary password. Using your temporary password and user ID provided via email, log into your account. You will be prompted to create a new password for your account.

Step 3 >> Add your License/Application or Apply for a License

After you Sign In with your new user ID and password, you will then be prompted to add your license to your account before you can renew. If you are a new applicant, follow the instructions to apply for a license. If you have a current license or pending application, you will need three (3) items:

1. Your social security number

2. Your date of birth

3. Your mailing address zip code on file with the Department of Health (Please note that your mailing address zip code can be found on your renewal postcard or your physical license)

Once you have successfully added your license to your account, you will see the Manage My License section on your dashboard. From your dashboard, you can;