Originally Posted by
Elvis Is Alive
Good conversation.
Does ABO/NCLE survive without licensure? I'm not certain. How many new to the profession will even take the test if there is no requirement to do so?
I know many opticians who don't/didn't keep their ABO and NCLE certifications active after gaining licensure. Most saw no need to renew ABO/NCLE as it wasn't a requirement for license renewal. Most considered the tests exclusively as a barrier to entry for licensure.
I, however, have always kept mine active and will until I retire.
Will employers care about certifications if licensure is removed? I think most will not. One thing is for certain, the profession will get hit with a huge pay scale reduction with no licensure.
A select few current well-qualified opticians won't be affected but my biggest concern is that smart young people that might consider going into opticianry won't even consider it if licensure is removed across the board.
I went to college for engineering and worked at a sunglass shop and later an optical shop while getting my degree. I enjoyed it so much that I made a career out of opticianry instead. Would I have done that if I wasn't in a licensed state? I probably wouldn't to be honest.
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