are british qualifications recognised in the US?

[Maria]

I'm studying at the moment to qualify as a dispensing optician and contact lens fitter. what i want to know is, if i came to work in the US, how much of my qualifications would be recognised, and how much would i have to re-do? i would be registered with the GOC and ABDO. anything even slightly relevant would be greatly appreciated.

[Maria]

also, how much would i get paid?

maria (not greedy)

[Darryl Meister]

Hi Maria,

The requirements for opticians vary quite a bit from state to state here in the United States. In most states, there are no requirements to dispense eyewear. In about 20 states, there are license requirements to dispense spectacles and/or contact lenses (unless you work under the license of a doctor of ophthalmology or optometry).

There is also a nationally recognized, voluntary certification program (for either spectacle lens dispensing or contact lens dispensing). These two certificate exams are administered by the American Board of Opticianry (ABO) and National Contact Lens Examiners (NCLE). Most of the 20+ states that have license requirements use the ABO and/or NCLE exams as the written requirement of the license.

Although the ABDO exam may not be recognized by any of the state licensing boards, it should be relatively easy to get your ABO certification if you have completed the ABDO's course -- which is considerably more difficult. Once you determine what state you plan to live in, I would contact the Opticians Association of America for the licensing information in that particular state. (Unfortunately, I don't have their number handy.)

I am sure that salary requirements will vary considerably, depending upon the area, licensing requirements, affluence, setting (private practice, retail, etc.), experience, etcetera.

Best regards,
Darryl