N.J. Stat. § 52:17B-41.9b
A candidate shall qualify for examination and licensure as an ophthalmic technician upon providing the board with proof that he has served not less than 12 calendar months as an apprentice technician.
No one may apprentice pursuant to section 5 of P.L. 1952, c. 336 (C. 52:17B-41.5) unless he is registered with the board. Employment as an apprentice technician shall require supervision by a licensed ophthalmic dispenser or licensed ophthalmic technician who may supervise the number of apprentices that the board permits by regulation. Any person who holds or obtains an ophthalmic technician license shall be eligible to register with the board as an apprentice dispenser, notwithstanding the failure of such applicant to possess a high school diploma or its equivalent. Subsequent to such registration, such person shall be deemed eligible to take the examination for licensure as an ophthalmic dispenser upon completion of 36 calendar months as an apprentice dispenser during which time he has satisfactorily completed not less than the requisite number of school hours of board-approved courses in ophthalmic science.
N.J.S. § 52:17B-41.9b