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Online Optician Certification Training

Eye doctor examining eyes

$2,502

  • 6 Months
  • 150 Course Hours
  • 100% online
  • Start anytime

Learn the Skills Needed for Optician Certification

Gain the skills and knowledge you need to obtain an entry-level job as an optician in Southern California and beyond. Our optician certification training program provides a solid foundation for a successful career as an optician. It covers topics like the anatomy of the eye, refractive errors, contact lens fitting, and relevant laws and regulations. 

Course content also dives into understanding the eye and common conditions, basic math and algebra for opticians, ophthalmic lens designs, materials, treatments, and more. You will even have a lesson covering a potential career roadmap.

This optician training program concludes by preparing you to take the Basic American Board of Opticianry (ABO) and National Contact Lens Examiners (NCLE) exams, which include the NOCE (National Opticianry Competency Exam) and the CLRE (Contact Lens Registry Exam), which is required by many states to work as an optician or as a stepping-stone to career advancement.

Job Outlook for Opticians in Greater San Diego 

Lightcast labor data reports that the median salary for opticians is $50,960 in the San Diego–Chula Vista–Carlsbad, CA metropolitan area.

About 7,400 job openings for opticians are projected each year on average by 2033, according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics. Many of these openings will arise from the need to replace workers who either change careers or leave the workforce, such as through retirement.

Optician FAQs

What is an optician? What does an optician do?

Opticians use data from prescriptions made by optometrists or ophthalmologists to help patients and customers fit glasses or contact lenses. They may take measurements of the ocular area, recommend appropriate frames or contact lenses and help fit and adjust frames or lenses as needed.

Does this course prepare me for a certification?

Yes, you will be prepared to take the American Board of Opticianry (ABO) and National Contact Lens Examiners (NCLE) Basic certification exams – Opticianry Certification Exam (NOCE) and Contact Lens Registry Exam (CLRE).

How does this course prepare me to become an optician?

By taking this optician training course, you will learn how to read prescriptions for glasses and contact lenses, become familiar with the equipment opticians use, and gain an understanding of eye anatomy and eye diseases. After completing this course, you will be fully prepared to begin a career as an optician and have the skills and knowledge to advance as an optical manager in this popular and exciting medical field. .

What does the ABO exam involve?

The Basic American Board of Opticianry (ABO) exam covers ophthalmic science and a combination of ocular anatomy, principles of ophthalmic products and instruments, dispensing procedures and legal considerations for opticians.

What does the NCLE exam involve? 

The NCLE (National Contact Lens Examiners) exam is a certification test that evaluates the knowledge and skills necessary to practice as a qualified contact lens technician. It covers topics such as contact lens fitting, patient care, and compliance with industry standards.

Course Objectives

  • Learn how to understand and assign prescriptions to customers
  • Develop an understanding of the human eye and how it functions
  • Review the different corrective eye care solutions available for patients
  • Understand how various prisms and lenses work
  • Prepare to take the American Board of Opticianry (ABO) and National Contact Lens Examiners (NCLE) exams

Prerequisites and Certification Requirements

There are no prerequisites to take this optician certification training course. However, a high school diploma or GED is required to take the American Board of Opticianry (ABO) and National Contact Lens Examiners (NCLE) exams.

After successfully completing this course, you will possess the knowledge required to pass the American Board of Opticianry (ABO) and National Contact Lens Examiners (NCLE) Basic certification exams, Opticianry Certification Exam (NOCE), and Contact Lens Registry Exam (CLRE). However, you should also research your state’s requirements prior to pursuing a career as an optician. While some states only require a high school diploma or GED and a passing score on the ABO exam to fulfill licensing requirements, others have their own optician licensing exams. Additionally, some states may require that opticians complete an apprenticeship program or degree program in order to become licensed.

DISCLAIMER: This course does not meet state requirements for students intending to work in North Carolina, New York, or South Carolina. Check the requirements in your state before enrolling, as some states require opticians to complete an apprenticeship program to become licensed.

Instructor

Dr. Beverly Smith

Dr. Beverly Smith is a Doctor of Optometry and has been in private practice for 30 years. She holds a Master of Business Administration and founded a consulting firm that helps new practitioners start and manage their own eye care practices. Throughout her career, Smith has taught many future opticians, certified paraoptometrics, and fellow optometrists. Her work has been published in the professional journals New O.D. and Women in Optometry.

Registration and Enrollment

This course is 100% online. Start anytime. acy Technician” as #21 on its list of “Best Health Care Support Jobs.” As the population ages and the prevalence of chronic diseases rises, more pharmacy technicians will be needed in pharmacies, and may even see themselves taking on greater responsibilities in their role.