The what and the why
While the technical definition of an optician is:
- a maker of or dealer in optical items and instruments
- a person who reads prescriptions for visual correction, orders lenses, and dispenses eyeglasses and contact lenses
- repair, adjust and furnish eyewear
- logistical and preferential frame selection
- knowledge of lens designs and how to measure to serve the need
- understand and interpret vision benefits to apply toward eyewear
- both customer service and sales
- may work in a retail or medical facility
- often multi-tasks with additional tasks at the front desk, billing, merchandising, inventory
ABO and NCLE certification demonstrates to the public, your co-workers, and the industry that you are qualified and competent. It proves you take pride in your profession and in maintaining up-to-date skills and knowledge. In particular, it identifies you to the public as a dispenser who will handle their eye wear needs with competence – someone who can be trusted to provide the quality care they want and deserve.
Certification is recognized by employers as a standard of competence, and it can offer tangible rewards such as increased earning power and job opportunities.
ABO and NCLE certification is a national standard, not a state license and is recognized in every state and many foreign countries. In non-licensing states, certification is especially important; it is your only credential – your professional distinction.
(Source: ABO/NCLE)
Optician:
- a maker of or dealer in optical items and instruments
- a person who reads prescriptions for visual correction, orders lenses, and dispenses eyeglasses and contact lenses
Optometrist:
- a specialist licensed to practice optometry
- the health-care profession concerned especially with examining the eye for defects and faults of refraction, with prescribing correctional lenses or eye exercises, with diagnosing diseases of the eye, and with treating such diseases or referring them for treatment
Ophthalmologist:
- a physician who specializes in ophthalmology
- a branch of medical science dealing with the structure, functions, and diseases of the eye
The American Board of Opticianry and National Contact Lens Examiners (ABO-NCLE) is a national, non-profit organization which administers voluntary certification examinations for dispensing opticians and contact lens technicians. Their purpose is to identify qualified eyewear providers by examination, urge growth of optical skills with continuing education, and approve continuing education programs.
License and certification specifics
An ABO and NCLE certification is a credential issued by a national board and is recognized as a level of competency. Some employers in non-licensed states require their staff to be ABO or NCLE certified because there is no state requirement.
A Licensed Optician is a credential issued by each state independently, to regulate practice within its geographical borders. Some states require opticians to be licensed, where other states do not have an opticianry regulatory division.
Optician education requirements typically include:
- Ophthalmic Optics
- Ocular Anatomy, Physiology, and Pathology, and Refraction
- Ophthalmic Products
- Instrumentation
- Dispensing Procedures
- Laws, Regulations, and Standards
- Practical experience
Some states require a minimum number of hours of training as a registered apprentice optician, completion of an accredited opticianry school program, and/or passing an approved practical exam.
You must pass a test for the designation you are seeking.
View the current list of state Opticianry Licensing Boards on the ABO/NCLE website
View the current list of state board exams administered by ABO/NCLE
ABOC – American Board of Opticianry Certification
ABOC-AC – ABO Advanced Certification
ABOM – ABO Masters Certification
NCLEC – National Contact Lens Certification
NCLE-AC – NCLE Advanced Certification
NCLEM – NCLE Masters Certification
Licensed Optician – issued by individual states
All ABO-NCLE (and some state licensed) opticians must complete a required amount of continuing education credits by their certification or license expiration date. Each designation may have a different quantity or subject matter to meet the requirements. See ABO-NCLE or your state’s opticianry website to view the current requirements.
How to prepare for an optician exam
Visit the ABO exam (NOCE) study material page. It contains recommended material, technical information, books, downloadable pdf’s, programs, quizzes, videos and apps, that you can use to study.
Visit the NCLE exam (CLRE) study material page. It contains recommended material, books, programs, and videos, that you can use to study.
Visit the ABO exam (NOCE) and the NCLE exam (CLRE) study material pages. They contain recommended material, technical information, books, downloadable pdf’s, programs, quizzes, videos and apps, that you can use to study.
Everyone has a different level of accessibility to mentors. If you are not able to access a mentor or trainer in person there are plenty of online resources. Check out the interviews I’ve conducted with opticians, Becoming An Optician Series, as well as industry resources that list a variety of online groups, forums, and other resources.
The ABO-NCLE has very detailed handbooks for the different exams. These will answer most of your questions and bring you peace of mind.
Get involved
Over 20 states have their own association or society for opticians. View the current list, with links to their websites, on the list from the OAA.
American Board of Opticianry and National Contact Lens Examiners (ABO-NCLE)
A national, non-profit organization which administers voluntary certification examinations for dispensing opticians and contact lens technicians. Their purpose is to identify qualified eyewear providers by examination, urge growth of optical skills with continuing education, and approve continuing education programs.
Commission on Opticianry Accreditation
Accredits two-year Opticianry degree programs and one-year ophthalmic laboratory technology certificate programs in the United States and Canada that are sponsored by post-secondary institutions accredited by agencies recognized by the Department of Education or CHEA.
Contact Lens Society of America
CLSA is a network of highly skilled professionals making a difference in the lives of contact lens wearers every day. Members come from opticianry, optometry, ophthalmology, and the contact lens manufacturing and services industry. They educate consumers, find solutions to challenging cases, and help to increase patient comfort and satisfaction. They design and manufacture innovative lenses and products, and are on the cutting edge of contact lens technological advances. Through education, resources, and service, the Society supports these distinguished professionals and gives students and career starters the opportunity to increase their contact lens knowledge and skills.
National Academy of Opticianry
An international organization dedicated solely to education and training for ALL opticians. Founded in 1963, the Academy offers opticianry education and training in a variety of formats. We cover all aspects of education and training from career preparation (internationally known as the Ophthalmic Career Progression Program), certification and licensing exam preparation and continuing education for beginning through advanced level opticians.
National Federation of Opticianry Schools
(NFOS) is the national organization dedicated to the promotion of formal opticianry education offered by accredited educational institutions. Formal education is fundamental to the credibility of the Optician as a vision care professional. The NFOS is a nonprofit organization whose members represent formal Opticianry education in the United States and Canada. One of cornerstone ideals of the NFOS is the sharing of knowledge, to that end we have developed this website for the dissemination of information for the optical community.
Opticians Association of America
A well-established and integral part of that legacy. Established in 1926 as the Guild of Prescription Opticians, the OAA holds the distinguished honor of being the only national organization representing the professional, business, educational, legislative and regulatory interests of opticianry. For over 90 years, the OAA has been dedicated to the advancement of the American optician.
Society to Advance Opticianry
One of the goals of the SAO is to increase the potential of mobility and reciprocity between states for Opticians. This would mean standardization of licensure requirements among states and will certainly include passage of both of the above exams. We hope to establish high standards for Opticians to attain that are achievable and make it possible for employers to identify those Opticians that are dedicated to being fully credentialed.
The Vision Council
Serving as the global voice for vision care products and services, The Vision Council represents the manufacturers and suppliers of the optical industry. We position our members to be successful in a competitive marketplace through education, advocacy, consumer outreach, strategic relationship building and industry forums.