Online Optician Certification Training
$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
There are no prerequisites to take this optician certification training course.
Certification Requirements
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 have the knowledge needed to pass the ABO and NCLE Basic certification exams, the Opticianry Certification Exam (NOCE), and the Contact Lens Registry Exam (CLRE). While some states only require a high school diploma or GED along with a passing ABO score for licensure, others administer their own state-specific optician licensing exams. In addition, certain states may require completing an apprenticeship or a formal degree program to become licensed.
State Requirements
This program does not meet the educational requirements to apply for professional licensure or certification in the states of North Carolina, New York, and South Carolina. The course prepares students to work as Registered Apprentice Opticians in Washington. They are required to submit an application to the state to qualify for that designation. Please check the requirements in your state before enrolling, as some states require opticians to complete an apprenticeship to obtain a license.
Each state’s licensure or certification authority is responsible for establishing the requirements for professional licensure or certification in its state. Completing this program does not guarantee professional licensure or certification. Eligibility may also depend on factors like work experience, professional examinations, passing a background check, and other criteria. Students are encouraged to contact the appropriate state licensing authority to confirm the requirements for licensure or a certificate in the state where they live, work, or intend to live or work.
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.