Cross-post: "Long story made short: I wasn't planning on taking the NCLE/CLRE exam so soon, but now I have to take it November 15th, so I need to learn the most in a very short time. Has anyone used this book: http://www.amazon.com/CLRE-Secrets-S...6223118&sr=1-6 ? Or does anyone have any suggestions for what resources to use to be able to pass the test with minimal studying? I have very little experience with or knowledge of contact lenses. Thank you all for any help and advice!"
Bryan
Sorry, wrong forum.
Go to school.
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Great advice, but try reading the full post next time.Originally Posted by LandLord
"I wasn't planning on taking the NCLE/CLRE exam so soon, but now I have to take it November 15th, so I need to learn the most in a very short time."
"I have very little experience with or knowledge of contact lenses."
How can you apply to be a contact lens practitioner considering the above statement?
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I am sure the poster who recommended school did so to make a point that is a valid one, and they describe it aptly in their next post. How can anyone even be allowed to sit for this professional-level exam with this little preparation? Now, before you become angry over the question, please know that many on this board see Opticianry as our profession. Today, most do not come to the field in that manner. In 28 states all that is required to call youself an Optician is a pulse, so your post causes us concern. We want to upgrade standards and require folks who use our professional title to have appropriate education and training. What some forget is that you ARE allowed, and that is not your fault, but a system that may need some changes. You are attempting to gain advanced credentials, and you should be supported as much as possible in this system. I wish you well in your quest, and hope you are successful, but so hope the system will soon change and requirements increased. You will appreciate that as you move through your career. This concern expressed by some is not directed at you personally, but they system as a whole. Good luck!
My sentiments exactly. Good luck on your exams. But if someone can write a professional exam without going to school then its a loophole that should be closed. Imagine trying to become a pharmacist without first going to pharmacy school!! You would expect this type of standard to exist in a third world country.
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I fully understand what you both are saying, and I agree, to some extent. In my case, I am not trying to become a contact lens practitioner. My family is moving to Florida next summer and in order to stay in the field I've been in for the past ten years, I have to have NCLE certification. I currently live and work in one of those states where "all that is required to call yourself an Optician is a pulse," and I am frequently disgusted at the fact that I know so much more than many, if not most, of the "Opticians" here, even though all I have done is gained ABO certification. The funny part is, I thought I actually knew quite a bit until I started reading these boards! So in that regard, I understand and agree with you.
As for sitting for this professional-level exam, let's face it, I don't know of many degreed or licensed opticians who would consider an ABO/NCLE certification "professional". It is a very basic certification. At least the ABO was, so I'm assuming the NCLE is also. But by having both certifications, it will allow me to sit for the Florida state exam, which, if I pass, hopefully will enable me to demand a better salary.
My biggest obstacle is in the timing. We are moving in late-June. In order to be licensed and ready to work when we move, I'll need to take the Florida exam in April, which requires that I register by January 14th. But in order to register and sit, I have to have NCLE certification, so I have to take the NCLE in November and hope I get the results by January 14th. Now, I do have other options. I could start a new career. In what, I don't know. But I'd rather keep doing what I'm doing since I like it.
Believe me, I would love to learn more than what I can read in trade publications or by taking CEs, but A) I can't afford to go to school, I have a family to support; and since I'm a caucasian American middle-aged male, I can't get any financial aid that I could afford to pay back; B) there aren't any schools in Oklahoma; and C) I have yet to find an employer in my city who would even pay for me to go to Vision Expo, let alone any educational seminars or conventions.
I hope this helps to explain my position and I apologize if I've stepped on any toes.
Bryan
I understand your position completely. I also encouraged you and wished you luck, but also indicateed the system needed change. I am also pleased to hear you agree......to some extent (whatever that means). The test does need to be stronger, but it is considered a professional-level credential because it is a part of the professional licensure process. If you do not consider it in that fashion, you may be like most who come to the field today, and see Opticianry not as a profession, but a job. That is your right, but I see it as it could be if we all strive to improve.
What I, and many others do not like is that folks with NO preparation are even alloed to sit for the exam. Until we REQUIRE some nationwide standard, including a formal education and licensure in every state, we will not advance. Timing should really not be a factor. Other professionals must be educed and trained at consistent levels. Only Opticians allow minimalistic backgrounds to even be considered for a license.
You also mention how much you know, and I am pleased to hear of your confidence, but with all due respect, most Opticians do not know what they do not know. You are only as good as the folks who taught you in whatever training program (if any) you had to complete. In most states, research indicates that "apprentices" receive almost no education. We must require some formal education so that all Opticians across the country wil be on par. I do not know where you are, but believe me, when you take the Florida boards, you better have a solid understanding of all facets of Opticianry. It far surpasses the ABO/NCLE.
I do wish you luck, and hope you do well.
Maybe it's just that I'm clueless on this, but do all Opticians in all licensed states fit and dispense contact lenses? Because what I meant by "to some extent" is, why should I be required to really learn that material if I'm not going to be dealing with contacts? As I said, I'm not trying to become a contact lens practitioner.
As for the CLRE test strength, if it is of comparable difficulty to the NOCE test, I personally would not consider it professional-level, but more of a certification, which it is. I would liken it to this: at most community colleges, you can complete a degree program, which is very in-depth, or you can complete a certificate program, which is much more basic. Again, having no experience with either an optical degree program or any state licensure, I may be way off base.
I do consider Opticianry a profession, not just a job. If I didn't, I certainly wouldn't bother with the expense involved in becoming an Optician in Florida. As you noted, I can't help the fact that in Oklahoma, all that was required of me to enter my profession was a job application. But I also don't think it's fair to strip away my livelihood just because I'm relocating.
Originally Posted by wmcdonald
"You also mention how much you know, and I am pleased to hear of your confidence, but with all due respect, most Opticians do not know what they do not know."
Please note this part of my previous post: "The funny part is, I thought I actually knew quite a bit until I started reading these boards!"
I am starting to see how much I don't know. I was not trying to say I know a lot.
I do appreciate your well wishes, as well as your understanding.
Bryan
Opticianry is a profession whose body of knowledge includes contact lenses. To a large part, we invented the corneal CL (Kevin Touhy, Obrig Laboratories). As professionals, and I assume that is what you seek to become in Florida, one must understand all of the information related to that particular field, not just part of it. You question was do Opticians in all licensed states fit contact lenses? The answer is no, but they should. Those like me who seek to improve what it is we do, feel that only knowing half the material makes you half an Optician. That is why we are "encouraging" all to include contact lenses.
What is anyone stripping away from you? You had to do nothing in Ok to be called an Optician, so no one is taking that away from you. You can work in and ODs office or an Ophthalmologists offce and not even need a license. But if you want to hang that shingle out in Florida, NC, NY and a few others, you have to learn the all sides of the field.
I really hope I am not coming across as personal in any way here. I do not want to discourage you, but I do take every opportunity to encourage the leadership to reach beyond the current limits we face. What you are going through is not uncommon, and it needs to be fixed one day, so we can move successfully from state to state without such hassles.
Best of luck to you in your endeavors.
I would just like to sincerely thank wmcdonald and Landlord for giving me just a little more motivation to pass the NCLE/CLRE test.
Bryan
good for you! Congratulations.
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