All Things Political

All Things Political


Optician Training

Most opticians have at least a high school diploma. Opticians typically learn job skills through formal on-the-job programs. This training includes technical instruction in which, for example, new opticians measure a customer’s eyes or adjust frames under the supervision of an experienced optician. Trainees also learn sales and office management practices.

A number of community colleges and technical schools offer formal education in opticianry. Some award an associate’s degree, which takes two years. Others offer a certificate, which takes one year. As of 2010, the Commission on Opticianry Accreditation accredited 21 associate's degree programs in 14 states.

This topic continues below:



Coursework includes classes in optics, eye physiology, and business management, among others. Also, students do supervised clinical work that gives them hands-on experience working as opticians and learning optical mathematics, optical physics, and the use of precision measuring instruments. Some programs have distance-learning options.

Courses in physics, basic anatomy, algebra, and trigonometry are particularly valuable.

Twenty-three states require opticians to be licensed. Licensure usually requires completing formal education through an approved program or completing an apprenticeship. In addition to being licensed, states require opticians to pass one or more of the following (depending on the state): a state written exam, a state practical exam, or certification exams, described in the certification section.

In most states, opticians must renew their licenses periodically, and they must take continuing education.

Opticians may choose to become certified in eyeglass dispensing or contact lens dispensing or both. Certification requires passing exams from the American Board of Opticianry (ABO) and National Contact Lens Examiners (NCLE). Nearly all state licensing boards use the ABO and NCLE exams as the basis for state licensing..

Source: Bureau of Labor Statistics, U.S. Department of Labor, Occupational Outlook Handbook, 2012-13 Edition

for State specific information, visit  JOB OUTLOOK BY STATE

Find more than 90
Career Outlooks Below:





Special Features:

Special Districts in the USA

School Districts in the USA


To report a broken link or to suggest a new site for our online resource guide, please Contact Us.

Proquantum Corporation
Copyright @ 2005 - 2015

Use of this website is expressly subject to the various terms and conditions set forth in our

User Agreement/Disclaimer and Privacy Policy


Other Proquantum sites:
Engineers Guide USA    Health Guide USA
AssessorLinks,    Juggling Cats,    Doomsday Guide



To report a broken link or to suggest a new site for our online resource guide, please Contact Us.

Proquantum Corporation
Copyright @ 2005 - 2016

Use of this website is expressly subject to the various terms and conditions set forth in our

User Agreement/Disclaimer and Privacy Policy


Other Proquantum sites:
Engineers Guide USA    Health Guide USA
AssessorLinks,    Juggling Cats,    Doomsday Guide