Just finished the Abo Avanced test...PASSED!

[tmorse]

I was planning on going for the ABO Advance but i want to know the concrete benefit of having it first.

My understanding of the ABO-AC exam is that it encompasses both optical theory and optical formulas. This in turn enables the ‘advanced optician’ to better troubleshoot optical problems that come up from time to time. Further, an advanced credential such as ABO-AC looks very good on your resume and demonstrates initiative... you are someone who voluntarily sat through a difficult competency examination. It shows the type of employee that can immediately add to the bottom line of any optical store.

Plus it makes you feel good about yourself... that you have attained a level of optical expertise in the 90% percentile of dispensing.

Then get your ABOM, and you would fall in the 99% percentile of opticianry competence.

[onthegrind]

^^^Thanks for replying tmorse. What i'm finding with these employers is that it's the license that counts. Having a Basic or Advanced ABO does not seem to have any immediate extrinsic benefit at the moment. If the field of opticianry was more stratified then the different levels of optician would then need different levels of qualification. There an Advanced ABO would have some benefit i think.

[Lori]

congratulations on passing the ABO-AC!

[AvennGed1]

Hey there!

I actually just passed the ABO back in February and I have been trying to study for the advanced ABO certification exam and I really cant find study material anywhere online for the advanced exam. I was wondering if the books below were available used anywhere? I couldn't seem to find them myself! The pricing on the books are so very steep and I really just can't afford it right now so I figured it was worth asking! If not I'll just have to save up for them :) Thanks a ton!

• Advanced Opticians Tutorial (NAO)
• Optical Formulas Tutorial (NAO)

[jasons]

Unfortunately the books I used are work owned and I currently have an optician studying them. Kudos on your desire to advance your knowledge!! Would your employer be willing to help with the cost? There are relatively few AC certified opticians in each state. It might be worth it to them to help you achieve this.

[AvennGed1]

You know that's something that I'll actually have to ask them! I actually work for Warby Parker so it's definitely a lot different than most optical places I've worked at (Walmart vision, lenscrafters) They paid for my ABO up front which was great so I'm sure they'd be willing to help because so far they seem to be the most helpful optical place I've ever worked for! :)
Yeah thats a great point, I'm sure they would really love to have AC certified opticians working for the company.
Thanks for responding so quickly btw, really appreciate it!

[jasons]

Peacebug, I have discovered that you can actually write level three courses instead of articles. I have a level 2 technical and a general knowledge course approved. I can show you what I did for those if you PM me your email. (If you haven't already done something. (I was just looking at this old post for some info and ran across your comments)

[jasons]

Also, if you join the NAO the savings as a member on those books more than cover the cost of membership.