View Poll Results: What does your state require of opticians?

Voters
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  • Associates Degree

    2 2.06%
  • Formal Education in Opthalmic Manufacturing

    0 0%
  • State Written Exam

    2 2.06%
  • State Written and Practical Exam

    20 20.62%
  • ABO

    6 6.19%
  • ABO/NCLE

    3 3.09%
  • Registered Apprenticeship

    7 7.22%
  • Hours of On The Job Training

    1 1.03%
  • No Requirements

    47 48.45%
  • Other (Please Post In Thread Below)

    9 9.28%
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Thread: What are your states reqs for being in optics?

  1. #1
    Master OptiBoarder Joann Raytar's Avatar
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    Blue Jumper What are your state's reqs. for being in optics?

    There have been quite a few OptiBoarders who have gotten their licenses recently and one thing I have noticed is how different each state's requirements can be. I know some states don't have Licensed Opticians but they still have minimum requirements for working in optics. I was wondering if you could help the OCI and myself sort through all of the state to state differences by posting what your state requires of its optical professionals. Everyone feel free to reply, this post isn't just for dispensing opticians.

  2. #2
    Master OptiBoarder Joann Raytar's Avatar
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    I answered "Other" because Connecticut requires a combination of the above for licensure.
    • 4 full time years OTJ or 8,000 hours
    • Formal Education counts towards the above hours
    • ABO/NCLE
    • State written and practical exams
    • You must register as an apprentice in CT to work in optics

  3. #3
    Master OptiBoarder OptiBoard Gold Supporter Judy Canty's Avatar
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    Virginia

    Virginia requires either a 2 year associates degree from an approved school of Opticianry, or a 3-year apprenticeship including 6000 hours of OJT and a minimum of 1 year of related instruction or home study while registered in the apprenticeship program in accordance with the standards established by the State Department of Labor and Industry Division of Apprenticeship Training and approved by the Virginia State Board for Opticians. Formal education does apply towards the working hours requirement.

  4. #4
    Master OptiBoarder Cindy Hamlin's Avatar
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    JO,
    The VA state board is composed of 2 parts:


    ABO (written exam) and a practical

    CE's are not required to maintain your license, but you must have to maintain your ABO status.

    ~Cindy

  5. #5
    Sawptician PAkev's Avatar
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    Pennsylvania has no formal requirements. Credentialing has been presented and shot down by state legislation a few years ago.

    ABO usually gives a little bargaining leverage and consideration in our job market but is not a guarantee of ability and/or experience.

    To my knowledge there are no formal colleges or technical training programs so all skills and experience are developed on the job.

    Kevin

  6. #6
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    Here in Florida, an Optician needs to pass the ABO and NCLE before they can sit for the State written exam and the pratical exam. This is regardless if you've gone thru our apprentice program or not. If you're from another state, you don't have to do the apprenticeship but you must have documented proof that you've been employed as an Optician for at least 5 years.

  7. #7
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    Thumbs up

    Here's how it goes in good old state of South Carolina:

    1. Complete 2yr school dealing with optics

    or

    2. Complete 2yr apprentice program with either MD or OD

    3. Take and successfully pass the ABO

    4. Once upon passing the ABO you can sit for the state practical
    which by the way was tough....north carolina being even more
    difficult to pass


    :cheers:

  8. #8
    OptiBoard Professional Dannyboy's Avatar
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    Florida

    Florida requires more than ABO and the NCLE.
    You must have an associates degree or have been an apprentice for 6240 hours. If you arre already a licensed optician you must demonstrate 3 years of active practice in your state or 5 years if in an unlicensed state. Everybody must take the State Practical and the Laws and Rules. There is no reciprocity. Also you need the ABOand the NCLE current.

    Dannyboy

  9. #9
    Forever Liz's Dad Steve Machol's Avatar
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    Dannyboy,

    Thanks for the info. Do you know what constitutes an 'apprenticeship' in Florida? How do they verify that you have apprenticed for this period of time?


    OptiBoard Administrator
    ----
    OptiBoard has been proudly serving the Eyecare Community since 1995.

  10. #10
    Master OptiBoarder
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    PA has no requirements however there is a college program available in Pittsburgh called the Western School of Allied Health where an asociates degreee is available. Our association has many opticianry graduates from surrounding states such as NY and NJ. Long Distance learning programs are out there and are encouraged by the Opticians Association of Pennsylvania. The association also encourages ABOC as the mininimal level of competence but has been working hard through the conventions to give needed classes to pass the ABOC-advanced until there is am accepted nationwide level with an AAS being the entry level with 4-5,000 hours on the job training such as the OAA Education Standard endorsed in 1993.

  11. #11
    OptiBoard Professional Dannyboy's Avatar
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    Apprenticeship in Florida is actually quite easy if you find an optician sponsor who has been at least licensed for 1 year, or an MD or an OD who own an optical shop. Pay $60. You and your sponsor then each file every twelve month on the anniversary of the registration. The form must state what the apprentice has cover in accordance to the requirements. The board does spot checks. You only get hours only when your sponsor is with you. You are also entilted to have a second sponsor for that reason. The board has in the past requested the time sheets of sponsor and apprentice from the employer to make sure schedules match.
    Let it behold you misinform them to be heavily fined. I think it is a burden to carry an apprentice with you. Hope this help you.

    Dannyboy:)

  12. #12
    Master OptiBoarder Joann Raytar's Avatar
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    CT SCOPE OF TRAINING:
    Mechanical Optics . . . . . 1,750 hours
    Eyewear . . . . . . . . . . 1,750
    Geometric Optics . . . . . 1,750 hours
    Contact Lens . . . . . . . 1,750 hours
    Anatomy . . . . . . . . . . 500 hours
    Physiology . . . . . . . . 500 hours
    TOTAL HOURS 8,000

    Individual Items that are validated and sent in to State of CT during each year's apprenticeship:
    ( ) Neutralizing and Producing Ophthalmic Lenses
    ( ) Mounting Ophthalmic Lenses to Supporting Materials
    ( ) Fitting and Adjusting Final Eyewear to the Ultimate Wearer
    ( ) Repairing Optical Frames or Mountings and Supplying Repair Parts
    ( ) Measuring Interpupillary Distance and Multifocal Seg Heights
    ( ) Lay Out and Mark Up for Bench and Edging
    ( ) Keratometry and Interpreting Corneal Curvatures
    ( ) Design of Hard and Soft Contact Lenses
    ( ) Neutralizing Contact Lenses
    ( ) Biomicroscopy
    ( ) Dispensing Contact Lenses
    ( ) Obtaining Visual Acuity by Use of a Snellen Chart

    Note: Both of the above standards are taken from the CT Apprentice form found online at:
    http://www.ctopticians.com/CtApprRegistr.pdf

  13. #13
    Master OptiBoarder JennyP's Avatar
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    In Tennessee, an applicant for licensure obtains and submits proof of:

    1) at least 18 years old, high school graduate (or GED equivalent),
    2) successful completion of 2 year opticians associate degree program
    or
    3) three years (verified and semi-annually reported) of practical experience and training under supervision of a licensed dispensing optician, licensed optometrist, or a licensed ophthalmologist (with said training being after the age of 15).
    Time in an approved college level program may count towards the three year requirement.

    The applicant submits the paperwork and pays fees for apprenticeship ($65) [if not grad. of degree program]; practical exam($100), application fee ($120), and wall license ($110) (after other requirements have been met.

    Applicant must also have passing grade on
    1) ABO exam, less than 2 years old
    2) NCLC exam, less than 2 years old
    3) state practical (spectacles only), less than two years old.

    After licensure, Dispensing Optician must maintain ABO and NCLC certifications, pay license fee every 3 years, and have verified attendance for 4 hours of continuing ed for ABO and 4 hours for NCLC annually.

    I may be out of date on the fees, but otherwise, I think my info is pretty up to date.

    Stephanie: Check my post, ok?
    :D JP

  14. #14
    Cape Codger OptiBoard Gold Supporter hcjilson's Avatar
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    In MA.....

    Jo, I checked off ABO/NCLE without thinking.
    In Massachusetts we require passage of ABO and a practical exam,After a two year accredited school graduation, or a 3 year apprenticeship (monitored by the MA Dept of Labor and Idustries)We are currently working on a revision of our rules and regs to incorporate NCLE.There was some discussion at the last board meeting of phasing out the apprenticeship program and requiring a 2 years of formal education.No decision has been reached.In as much as I can't edit my vote, would you kindly add one to "other" and deduct one from ABO/NCLe
    tx harry j
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    www.capecodphotoalbum.com

  15. #15
    OptiBoard Professional Mike Fretto's Avatar
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    North Carolina Requirements

    Here in North Carolina the State Board requires you serve a 3 1/2 year apprenticeship under a licensed Optician or an Optometrist or an Opthamologist. This apprenticeship must include a board approved optical curriculum certificate progam. After serving the 3 1/2 year apprenticeship and the certification program you are allowed to attempt the TEST. If by the grace of GOD you get by the TEST you serve an additional 6 mos. internship after which you receive your license.
    Mike

  16. #16
    Master OptiBoarder Cindy Hamlin's Avatar
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    Mike,
    1. Is it a different test or the ABO and NCLE tests for NC?

    2. What are the CE requirements yearly to keep your license?

    3. There is no formal schooling, just OJT apprenticeship?

  17. #17
    opti-tipster harry a saake's Avatar
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    Big Smile N.C.

    :D Cindy, N.C. has a school in Durham, which they strongly suggest using. N.C. also has what they call WAIVER OF EXAMINATION, but not reciprocity. You send in the required documentation, as i remember the past four years being the most important, and they decide on an individual basis, who they will grant a license to. About two years ago they also added a moral terpirtude clause, so you better be good if your coming to N.C., or else they sic the wrath of jesse helms on you.

  18. #18
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    Jessie Helms

    Harry:

    At least that beats the extortion of Jessie Jackson.

  19. #19
    Master OptiBoarder Joann Raytar's Avatar
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    Harry J:

    You are now an "other." ;)

  20. #20
    OptiBoard Professional Mike Fretto's Avatar
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    Cindy

    1. Is it a different test or the ABO and NCLE tests for NC?

    Its a different test a two day affair

    2. What are the CE requirements yearly to keep your license?

    8 hours per year, 4 Cotact Lens, 3 Spectacle and 1 Law

    3. There is no formal schooling, just OJT apprenticeship?

    Yes theres formal education required, the certification program I mentioned. And as Harry mentioned Durham Tech now offers online classes the board approves.
    Mike

  21. #21
    Master OptiBoarder Joann Raytar's Avatar
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    Mike:

    What does the Certification Program involve? How much time does it take to complete the Program?

  22. #22
    Master OptiBoarder
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    formal education

    NC has an either/or approach. One must graduate from a COA accredited college and do a 6 month internship, or complete the apprenticeship program as described by Mr. Fretto. CE requirements are 8 hours per year- 4 in Contact Lenses, 1 in NC Law, and 3 in General Optics. The exam is difficult and you need to be prepared. Our waiver allows someone to enter from another state, and I think is the only state that specifically allows that opportunity for Opticians from outside.

  23. #23
    Bad address email on file kjw1231's Avatar
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    Only in New York...

    Hello,

    The requirement is...

    1. Pass the ABO
    2. Pass a practical

    The practical is an open format, meaning that the schools of Opticianary decide on content, format, etc. I told the Dept. Head here at the local college that they should add a 50 question Geo. Optics, Slab-off and Vertex distance problems to the test. It fell on deaf ears. In fact, they simplified it. The one thing that I do not understand, we are licensed to adminster DMV exams, and yet it has been removed from the practical.

    Just doesn't make sense. If the "educators" do not want tougher standards, then I guess the education side should be re-examined. I often suggested that with the ABO being the "key factor" to licensure, that they make it a certificate program. I personally trained people with no prior optical knowledge, to pass the ABO, within a year. In my mind the AAS would entail detailed contact lens fitting, a JCHAPO portion, and refracting courses (which by the way I took them at the college, but they are worthless).

    Just my thoughts...

  24. #24
    OptiBoard Professional Mike Fretto's Avatar
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    Jo the formal education program at Durham Tech is approx. 2 years. The National Academy of Opticianry also offers a home study course but I dont have any info on that one. I was fortunate in that when I first started the apprenticeship in "96" my former employer offered a board approved training program that helped alot. They dont offer it any more your two options for the certificate are Durham Tech and NAO
    Mike

  25. #25
    Master OptiBoarder ziggy's Avatar
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    Big Smile in the blue grass state

    I voted as an apprentise,,, but there is more to it,,,,,,,,, here it goes

    1apprentice under od, md ldo for two years
    2 pass aboc
    3pass ncle
    4 pass state practical on dispensing,contacts and frames, be able to do K's and use lensometer and lens clock

    thats all, not much every one should be doing this! Paul
    Paul:cheers:

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