Should I let my NCLE go?

**Jana Lewis** · 04-02-2007, 10:42 AM

I have to pay for it every year and take CE's. It does me no good here in Texas.

What do you guys think?

**Johns** · 04-02-2007, 10:53 AM

Originally Posted by Jana Lewis

I have to pay for it every year and take CE's.

Yeah, I know what you mean...I've paid for auto, home and life insurance for the past 20 years and still haven't used it.

**HarryChiling** · 04-02-2007, 11:10 AM

Keep it and stay an example to your peers.

**OPTIDONN** · 04-02-2007, 11:27 AM

Originally Posted by HarryChiling

Keep it and stay an example to your peers.

Ditto

**Snitgirl** · 04-02-2007, 12:22 PM

Keep it and continue your education in the field. It just doesn't stop at the ABO and NCLE. <--those are basic certifications. Keep them and move on to the next ones:cheers:

**Fezz** · 04-02-2007, 07:20 PM

Is it a financial burden to continue paying?

Is it rewarding knowing that you have accomplished this goal?

Is it setting yourself above the "average" Optician?

Is it a "feather in your cap" in case your employment situation changes?

Is it worth it?

Only you can answer.

:cheers::cheers::cheers::cheers::cheers::cheers:

**Mudslideslim** · 04-02-2007, 09:01 PM

"Better to have it and not need it, than to need it and not have it!" In my opinion, keep it. We never know what the future may bring, and having credentials such as NCLE may be the leg up you need. Any self improvement thru education, as with our profession, or informally, as with an outside interest, only enhances self worth and being.
Mudslideslim

" The area dividing the brain and the soul is affected in many ways by experience---- Bukowski"

**HarryChiling** · 04-02-2007, 09:25 PM

Most opticians don't have the NCLE so it does signify you are a step above the rest right now. I would say if you are at the point where you feel like it isn't worth anything then you probably need to go for the NCLE-Advaced. It is obvious you feel you are above the NCLE which menas you are ready for the next step. Don't go backwards, only forward.

**Johns** · 04-02-2007, 09:45 PM

Originally Posted by Johns

Yeah, I know what you mean...I've paid for auto, home and life insurance for the past 20 years and still haven't used it.

Unlike insuance, it's not like you can just run out and sign up for another NCLE if you let it lapse. No you don't use it everyday, but you should keep it in case you ever want to...

**Judy Canty** · 04-03-2007, 06:17 AM

I must agree, Jana. You worked hard to get the certification, don't let it lapse. In fact, go for the advanced certifications, as well. The personal satisfaction should be enough justification for the time and expense. In my career, I've met too many Opticians who for one reason or another have let their certifications, even licenses expire. Few of them were satisfied in the long term with that decision.

**EyeManFla** · 04-04-2007, 10:01 AM

I have generally found that after 30 years, the more paper you can hang on the wall, the more respect you will get from you clients.

I belong to 5 opticians' groups. Do they do me any good...not really; but my clients think all those certificates next to my diploma are cool.......

**chip anderson** · 04-04-2007, 07:06 PM

Doesn't anyone want education for the knowledge alone? I really get disgusted when I see opticians who take courses for the "hours." Keep the NCLE, join the CLSA and keep *****in until all our optical and contact lens courses are real education instead of factory sponsored sales pitches.

If you can't solder you are not an optician. If you can't neutralize a contact lens you are not an optician. If you bend temples down at a 90 degree angle you are not an optician. If you can't shorten or lengthen a temple you are not an optician. If you don't know which bifocals have base up and which bifocals have base down prism you are not an optician.
If you can't modify the edges, and peripheral curves on a rigid contact lens you are not a contact lens technician/fitter. If you can't find an ulcer with a slit-lamp you are not a contact lens technician.

Chip:finger:

**ziggy** · 04-05-2007, 08:32 AM

Originally Posted by chip anderson

Doesn't anyone want education for the knowledge alone? I really get disgusted when I see opticians who take courses for the "hours." Keep the NCLE, join the CLSA and keep *****in until all our optical and contact lens courses are real education instead of factory sponsored sales pitches.

If you can't solder you are not an optician. If you can't neutralize a contact lens you are not an optician. If you bend temples down at a 90 degree angle you are not an optician. If you can't shorten or lengthen a temple you are not an optician. If you don't know which bifocals have base up and which bifocals have base down prism you are not an optician.
If you can't modify the edges, and peripheral curves on a rigid contact lens you are not a contact lens technician/fitter. If you can't find an ulcer with a slit-lamp you are not a contact lens technician.

Chip:finger:

Well said

**specs4you** · 04-05-2007, 11:53 AM

Dearest Jana;

Unanimous, unless it is your last resort to eat or to have the certification then keep it up. Fight for that piece of paper. What if your college or H.S. degree had a fee to keep? It may not be essential but think of the feeling when it first came in the mail, remember that? How proud you were of yourself and the validation that came with knowing?

I read where Chip thinks none of us are qualified Opticians unless we can preform all the tasks and knowledge on his personal list, his opinion. Some of us excel in our nitche, and have greater knowledge in what we have been exposed to. The great thing about being an Optician is that it is possible to keep learning new things everyday. None of us should sell ourselves short, give up our certifications to the people we work along side of who never made the effort. Be proud and sing loud, "I am a certified Optician!".

Post your certificate in a nice frame. Be proud girl be proud!!!

**Fezz** · 04-05-2007, 12:06 PM

Originally Posted by specs4you

Be proud and sing loud, "I am a certified Optician!"

:cheers: :cheers: :cheers: :cheers: :cheers: :cheers:

**Jana Lewis** · 04-05-2007, 03:59 PM

Originally Posted by chip anderson

Doesn't anyone want education for the knowledge alone? I really get disgusted when I see opticians who take courses for the "hours." Keep the NCLE, join the CLSA and keep *****in until all our optical and contact lens courses are real education instead of factory sponsored sales pitches.

If you can't solder you are not an optician. If you can't neutralize a contact lens you are not an optician. If you bend temples down at a 90 degree angle you are not an optician. If you can't shorten or lengthen a temple you are not an optician. If you don't know which bifocals have base up and which bifocals have base down prism you are not an optician.
If you can't modify the edges, and peripheral curves on a rigid contact lens you are not a contact lens technician/fitter. If you can't find an ulcer with a slit-lamp you are not a contact lens technician.

Chip:finger:

Gee Chip... you are such a nice guy!

Don't project on me. You have no idea my situation, nor do you have any idea how long I have fought to keep higher wages for CERTIFIED Opticians in my area. You have NO IDEA what I can or cannot do. I am an OPTICIAN who has CLAWED and Paid my way and paid my dues!

So put a sock in it. :angry:

**Mr_Mitchell** · 04-05-2007, 04:49 PM

Well...I think Chip is partially right. If being an optician means soldering frames, pouring and molding custom temples in your garage at night, and walking around every day praying for a -6.00 OD +5.75 OS presbyope with a 4 add and one eye two inches higher than the other to come in and justify your existence, then neither I nor anyone I've ever worked with is an optician.
I sell frames and lenses, and train and manage others in same. I make money for the people I work with and I make my customers happy. Since loads of people don't know an optician from an OD, I don't really feel the need for the title "Optician." In fact, I don't even want it.
I'm an ABO-certified salesman, and my employers and customers are just fine with that.
Just out of curiosity, may I ask how the frame soldering makes money? Unless it's a freakin' expensive frame, my time costs more than the wholesale price of most frames we sell. I mean, if you managed to break a penny in two by dropping it, would you solder it back together?

**Mr_Mitchell** · 04-05-2007, 04:59 PM

Sorry, Jana, forgot to add that per your original topic...
If the NCLE does you no good in Texas, and you plan on staying in Texas, the question's already been answered. I personally don't think it increases sales enough to justify the expense, I think if you do it it should be for your own learning and satisfaction.

**HarryChiling** · 04-05-2007, 05:12 PM

Jana,

When I went to sit for my NCLE their was only 4 other people their to take the test. When I went back for the ABO-Advanced their was only 3 people there the first time and 7 people there the second time. I have only taken the test on national administration days. The number of opticians taking the ABO was 30-50 each time. Their are so few that have the NCLE, and if you pursue further and get the NCLE-Advanced their are even fewer, then the FCLSA even fewer. I have seen enough of your posts to know you are good at what you do. Be proud of it since it is the one of the only national designations that we have. Even if it's just so that you can have as many letters in your last name as mine (13, Chilinguerian) it's worth it.

**OPTIDONN** · 04-05-2007, 05:13 PM

Keep it! Keep it! Keep it!:D If you want to be a sales person like Mr. Mitchell then forget about. If however you want to be an Optician take advantage of any opportunity to learn and maintain a professional image! I'm not sure Mr. Mitchell but I don't think you can even call yourself an Optician in your state unless you have a license (could be wrong :hammer: though)

**chip anderson** · 04-05-2007, 07:10 PM

I think Jana and others missed my point. If you want to be an OPTICIAN you should learn all skills (even those that you do not use in your present employment situation) relevant to that ocupation. You should learn the history of the business and the at least know what technical machines and devises are relevant to this. You should know what a riding bow temple , and keyhole bridge is (even though you probably can't get one now). You should know what every plier (and yes there are some I don't know, I have tried to get Hilco to teach courses on same) is.
Now if you want to be a salesperson you may succeed in this business but you will not be an OPTICIAN.
This is just as a medical specialist (at least they used to be) is trained in history and general medicine before speciallty training and certification.
True we don't get into the profession knowing everything, but once we are in it we should learn as much as possible. This is why we used to start out in the lab, then become dispensers. Any reading done on company time should be on the optical business.

Chip

I am not being mean to you. Perhaps someone will explain the difference to you in being a MECHANIC and a "certified technician", believe it or not the MECHANIC is the higher form of life.

**rdcoach5** · 04-05-2007, 08:17 PM

Originally Posted by Jana Lewis

I have to pay for it every year and take CE's. It does me no good here in Texas.

What do you guys think?

If you still fit or dispense contact lenses ,you will benefit from the continuing ed that your certification requires for renewal. Yes , you can save time and money, but, the fact that you are here,shows that you have the time and desire to stay up-to-date in your profession. I will tell you that I work/worked with opticians who have let their NCLE License drop, only to regret it.L would strongly urge yiu to keep it.
Bob Taylor

**Jana Lewis** · 04-05-2007, 08:50 PM

Originally Posted by chip anderson

I think Jana and others missed my point. If you want to be an OPTICIAN you should learn all skills (even those that you do not use in your present employment situation) relevant to that ocupation. You should learn the history of the business and the at least know what technical machines and devises are relevant to this. You should know what a riding bow temple , and keyhole bridge is (even though you probably can't get one now). You should know what every plier (and yes there are some I don't know, I have tried to get Hilco to teach courses on same) is.
Now if you want to be a salesperson you may succeed in this business but you will not be an OPTICIAN.
This is just as a medical specialist (at least they used to be) is trained in history and general medicine before speciallty training and certification.
True we don't get into the profession knowing everything, but once we are in it we should learn as much as possible. This is why we used to start out in the lab, then become dispensers. Any reading done on company time should be on the optical business.

Chip

I am not being mean to you. Perhaps someone will explain the difference to you in being a MECHANIC and a "certified technician", believe it or not the MECHANIC is the higher form of life.

Uhhh No chip... I got your point completely.

I have no idea where you pulled out of your thought process that I don't know or even practice the knowledge that you term as being a REAL optician.

Instead of spouting off at the hip, ask some questions first.

Yeah, I know how to solder, and yeah... I can also re-fit the best RGP in town. I can edge and I can do more than basic adjustments and repairs. I also know just about every plier and other optical instruments made.

Just what makes you the authority in optics in TEXAS?

Do you have any clue? I pay almost 100 dollars a year for a worthless piece of paper. It gives me no rise in pay... it gives me nothing much than a nod from an OD. That's why I was asking for advice.

I came to ask a question, not to be chastised by a person that woke up on the wrong side of the bed.

I've been here on optiboard for years, you are pretty consistant in being a jerk. I guess i shouldn't be surprised by your worthless rant.

**chip anderson** · 04-05-2007, 10:11 PM

Jana:
I started my "career " in Texas at Modern Optics, later I worked at Univeral Contact lens, I was friends with Joe Soper, Virgil Hancock, Dick Camp, Linda Miskovsky Rhodes, Jack Case, and Dr. Louis Girard amoung others. I lived in Houston from 1951 to 1961. I took the "Bayor Course" twice, attended at least one CLSA convention there, I got some small inkling of how the optical business works in Texas.
Has anyone ever had the thought that if just one player starts advertising that all his OPTICIANS and CONTACT LENS TECHNICIANS are NCLE and ABO certified what effect it could have on those who cannot make such claims, including the chains?
I will admit that Texas is a little different than other places (and I mean this in a good way, shame they don't have hills and trees in the part I lived in).

Chip:cheers:

**Chris Ryser** · 04-06-2007, 05:23 AM

Originally Posted by Mr_Mitchell

............................ may I ask how the frame soldering makes money? Unless it's a freakin' expensive frame, my time costs more than the wholesale price of most frames we sell. I mean, if you managed to break a penny in two by dropping it, would you solder it back together?

If that is the attitude of a modern type optician..........no wonder that the chains or maybe even the on line places are winning out.

Opticianry world wide has always been a personalized specialty business. Giving personalized service is what brings the customers back. Adjusting frames brings no money.......but brings the customer back, soldering are no big money, but the customers is helped in a situation to have his glasses back in no time and he will come back to buy new glasses.

Investing time is not like advertising money........it is a long term investment.

............and so is getting your diplomas.