How to Become an Optician

By: Andrew Colucci, MD

Last Updated: Dec 17, 2018

An optician works at the exciting juncture of health and fashion. These skilled professionals, also known as dispensing opticians, prepare prescription eyeglass lenses, help customers choose eyeglass frames, and tailor the frames to customers’ unique facial measurements. When customers need contact lenses instead, opticians adjust the fit of the lenses to the eyes. An important part of an optician’s job is to make sure that customers are comfortable enough with their new eyeglass frames (or contact lenses) to wear them as prescribed.

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During consultations, an optician considers the type of lenses as well as the context in which a customer will use them (for example at a construction site versus an office cubicle) to make a recommendation well suited to the individual’s lifestyle.

In many ways, a dispensing optician’s job is analogous to that of a pharmacist who dispenses drugs based on prescriptions written by physicians. Although opticians do not write prescriptions for lenses, they must understand the science and reasoning behind them. (Some opticians are qualified to operate the equipment that grinds lenses, while others send completed work orders to a lab that crafts lenses.) To be an optician is to make life easier, safer and more comfortable for the many people who require prescriptive lenses, from child to new parent to senior citizen.

Workplace Details

Most dispensing opticians work for an optometrist, who either has an office practice or works in an eyewear store. Many different types of stores now sell eyeglasses and contact lenses - from specialized shops to department stores - and opticians may work in any of these environments.

Opticians who are employed in eyewear stores and department stores generally work some evenings and weekends. Those employed in optometrists’ or ophthalmologists’ offices will have more regular hours. Most work full time, although some are employed on a part-time basis.

Hover over any state to explore local income and job growth data.

The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics reports that the average annual wage for an optician is $36,820. However, salaries range from around $21,980 to $55,530 and higher; these are the median salaries of the bottom and top 10% of wage earners, respectively. Jobs at surgical hospitals pay more than most walk-in eye care stores. Salary varies geographically as well.

There are many job opportunities for licensed opticians. Employment of opticians is expected to grow by 24 percent from 2014 to 2024 according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, significantly faster than the average for all occupations. Opticians may find employment with optometrists, ophthalmologists, eye care centers or department stores. Keeping up to date with industry changes and new product developments will give opticians an edge in the job market. Certification will also offer an advantage when applying for jobs.

Becoming an optician requires a high school diploma or an approved GED equivalent.

After earning a diploma or GED, prospective opticians can enter formal education and training or an apprenticeship. Many opticians seek further education from colleges or technical schools, either in the form of a 1-year certificate program or a two-year associate degree in opticianry, which involves coursework in basic anatomy, eye anatomy, algebra and trigonometry, optical physics and mathematics and administration. Students also learn about precision measuring equipment and techniques and optical instrumentation. More advanced studies include classes on fitting contact lens and vision prosthetics.

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Whether you study at a community college or university, it is recommended that you choose an opticianry program that is accredited by the Commission on Opticianry Accreditation (COA), a nationally recognized professional board.

Prospective opticians who take the apprenticeship path are required to undergo a two- to four-year period of on-the-job training under the supervision of a licensed optician.

Licensing and certification requirements for dispensing opticians vary from state to state. State licenses are issued after successful completion of a practical or written examination and some states may require both. State eligibility requirements for sitting for opticianry exams also vary. Some states require applicants to have an associate degree or an apprenticeship of two to four years.

In addition, opticians can qualify for voluntary certification by two nationally recognized professional organizations:

• American Board of Opticianry (ABO)
• National Contact Lens Examiners (NCLE)

Information about certification from both organizations is available on their combined website (ABO/NCLE).

Basic examinations in each area consist of 125 multiple-choice questions. Candidates must be 18 years of age and hold a high school diploma or equivalent GED. Certification must be renewed after three years and opticians are expected to keep up with developments in the field by taking a certain number of approved continuing education courses.

Although this certification is not mandated, some states recognize the certificate, and many employers - and customers - prefer an optician who has ABO and/or NCLE certification.

Certification and experience may enable opticians to advance to management positions. These positions are available in workplaces with multiple opticians, such as eye care stores or department stores. In an optometrist’s office or ophthalmologist’s office, certification and experience can trigger an increase in pay.

Most employers require optician candidates to hold a high school diploma or approved GED equivalent. New hires can then complete supervised on-the-job training. This may be informal, or it may be structured as a certified apprenticeship, which typically takes at least two years to complete.

Trainees learn technical skills, such as assessing customers’ vision and adjusting their frames, under the supervision of an experienced optician, optometrist, or ophthalmologist. Preparation can also include sales and office management.

Opticians can also train by obtaining a certificate. When choosing a one-year certificate program, look for one recognized by the Commission on Opticianry Accreditation (COA). These programs offer high-quality education and are well respected among employers and industry professionals. In 2016, there were only two accredited certificate programs in the U.S.

Certificate programs require study in the following subjects, among others:

Supervised laboratory work, where theory is applied in a lab setting, is required. Students also rotate through a clinical externship or internship to gain hands-on experience.

More commonly, future opticians earn a two-year associate degree from an accredited training program. Once again, students should look for a program recognized by the Commission on Opticianry Accreditation (COA). As of 2016, there were 19 COA-accredited optician degree programs in 13 states, some of which offer distance-learning options.

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Optician associate degree programs include both classwork and clinical experience. In addition to subjects covered in the certificate program, the curriculum addresses:

Students also complete supervised, hands-on training in which they apply optical math and physics to real-life cases, fabricate corrective lenses, and practice using precision measuring instruments.

Compared to a certificate program, the associate degree curriculum puts greater emphasis on mathematics and science classes while providing more in-depth coursework on dispensing and fitting corrective lenses.

Additionally, an associate degree is the easiest option to carry over from state to state. The more rigorous coursework can also help students prepare for licensing exams in states that require them.

Check the licensure requirements for your state and any states in which you may consider working, to determine if an apprenticeship, certificate or associate degree would work best for you.

Opticians can obtain certifications in eyeglass dispensing and contact lens dispensing, which are administered by the American Board of Opticianry (ABO) and the National Contact Lens Examiners (NCLE), respectively. Both organizations offer three levels of certification:

• Basic - requires an exam. Appropriate for new professionals.
• Advanced - requires several years of professional experience, completion of advanced coursework, and an exam
• Masters - candidates must hold advanced certification and demonstrate an ongoing commitment to professionalism, education, and excellence

About half of the states require licensure of opticians. Among these, 90 percent use the basic ABO and NCLE exams as their standard. Some states also require opticians to pass state-specific practical exams.

Opticians who are currently employed can take advantage of the Ophthalmic Career Progression Program (OCPP) offered by the National Academy of Opticianry, in order to prepare for licensure exams and advanced certifications.