What are your states reqs for being in optics?

[Joann Raytar]

Thanks Mike!

[Blake]

In Alabama, there really weren't any requirements. No licensure or certification/education requirements.
As far as I can tell, same goes for Mississippi, where I've just moved.

Blake

[Joann Raytar]

wmcdonald:

Are there a few certain key criteria for a college program to gain accredation or are there too many standards to mention in one post?

Do you have any idea how many COA accredited schools are there nationwide?

[Texas Ranger]

Of the near 4000 opticians dispensing in THE Repulic of Texas, perhaps a few hundred are ABOC, less are NCLE, which leaves the 3000 plus that have no formal qualifications, other than thier employer is either in a warehouse or is the only provider on someone's vision care plan! Of course, they could make more working in the drive through at McD's but then that would be "food service". folks here just think because we're all filling a doctor's RX that we're all the same! except if ya have one of those big hair doos', your hairdresser has to be licensed! And they make a lot more money at that than us opticians! go figure!

[Joann Raytar]

Al:

Is TX a licensed state? Does TX have any official qualifications; that is a low number for ABO/NCLE.

[Texas Ranger]

Somehow?? my comments on this subject are on here today?? No. further comment. Al.

[Cindy Hamlin]

Originally posted by Jo
Al:

Is TX a licensed state? Does TX have any official qualifications; that is a low number for ABO/NCLE.

Jo,
TX is not a licensed state.

~Cindy

[rlaurinojr]

Well,

In the state of South Carolina there are no optical training schools or programs. I got my foot in, in Kentucky. In an unrelated but equally mind-boggling field,Tattooing is still illegal here as all 49 other states have legalized it.

A two year registered apprenticeship is required and for the the life of me; I can not find a single person that will apprentice me- EVEN FOR FREE!!!( I will staple my insurance card to my head!!!) Most chains stores here do not have ABO/NCLE certified lab managers let alone state licensed. They all run off the OD's paper.

You must be ABO certified to sit for the State cerification test.
The apprenticeship is 50.00 per year and 65.00 for the "apprenticeship registration fee" not to mention the fee for
sitting for the test. There is absolutely no incentive for passing this this other than a pretty piece of paper to cover the hole in the wall from beating my head against it! My personal incentive is the time that I have personally invested in this craft and a sincere
hope that one day I can open my own place and fianance retirement for me and my wife through it...... Just a thought.

Thanks,

Ray Laurino


" Cost of an apprenticeship's related costs- 525.00.......
Cost of pretty papers on the wall and security from Social Security.......Priceless"

[Jackie L]

The great state of Maine requires....nothing. The Opticians Association of Maine tried to legislate licensing in January of this year, but alas, still nothing.

[fly]

I have to put up with anything that comes out of an "Optical store" and fix it despite my education and licensure that is not required here. Someday I will get some help

[John]

In Missouri the only "requirement" to practice Opticianry is that you be one step above dragging your knuckles. And even that's not mandatory.

[Pete Hanlin]

Just some additional insight on becoming licensed in Florida. While the apprenticeship program is relatively easy to enroll in, Dannyboy is correct in asserting that there is a lot of paperwork involved. As someone who immigrated here from an unlicensed state (Pennsylvania), let me say that by far the easiest way to attain licensure in Florida is to practice in an unlicensed state for five years and then move here and take the boards! I am unsure how that particular "loophole" made its way into the regs, but I was happy to take advantage of it! For anyone wishing to use this method, it might be helpful to know that you need only obtain a letter from an eyecare professional (even a frame rep or person with knowledge of your activities) attesting to your experience. I went to the trouble of obtaining letters of reference from three employers and a rep- only to be informed that the rep's notarized statement would have sufficed.

Were apprenticeship executed as the regs require, I think it would be a workable system here in the Sunshine State. However, I've seen enough of how "apprenticeship" really works here to know that, in practice, it does not perform the task for which it was designed.

The only other fault I find with Florida's licensure regulations (which are by and large exceptional when compared to other states, IMHO) is the "free pass" Optometry and Ophthalmology gets (which probably exists because this was the only way to get licensure past the OD lobby in the first place). The only people who are truly affected by the law are independent Opticians and corporate entities like WalMart. As long as the dispensary is operated under the guise of a private OD practice, Opticianry regs in Florida seem to have no real "bite."

Pete

[Diane]

Georgia has a combination of requirements for being licensed. Must have two years apprenticeship (which does not at present require fees, or registration) or graduating from an approved opticianry program, passage of the ABO and NCLE examinations and passage of the Georgia practical.

In another post someone requested the COA accredited programs. In addition to these programs, there are several up for accreditation, at present.

They are:

COLORADO
T.H. Pickens Technical Center
/ Community College of Aurora
Opticianry Program
Donald E. Smaldone
500 Airport Blvd.
Aurora, CO 80011
(303) 344-4910
CONNECTICUT
Middlesex Community College
Ophthalmic Design and Dispensing
Raymond P. Dennis, FNAO
100 Training Hill Road
Middletown, CT 06547
(203) 343-5845
FLORIDA
Hillsborough Community College
Ophthalmic Dispensing
William Underwood
P.O. Box 30030
Tampa, FL 33630-3030
(813) 253-7430

Miami-Dade Community College
Vision Care Tech/Opticianry
Jerry L. Brown
Medical Center Campus
950 N.W. 20th St.
Miami, FL 33127
(305) 237-4127
GEORGIA
DeKalb Technical Institute
Opticianry
Thomas L. Schulz, ASO
495 N. Indian Creek Drive
Clarkston, GA 30021
(404) 297-9522 x207
INDIANA
Indiana University
Optician/Technician Program
School of Optometry
Clifford W. Brooks, O.D.
800 E. A****er
Bloomington, IN 47405
(812) 335-1298
MASSACHUSETTS

Holyoke Community College
Ophthalmic Technology
Anthony Sbalbi
303 Homestead Ave.
Holyoke, MA 01040
(413) 552-2474



Quinsigamond Community College

Opticianry
Brian Sanginario
670 West Boylston Street
Worcester, MA, 01606-2092
(508) 854-4284
MICHIGAN
Ferris State University
Opticianry
Russell B. Hess, FNAO
401 Pennock Hall
1310 Cramer C
Big Rapids, MI 49307-2738
(616) 592-2223
MINNESOTA
Anoka-Hennepin Technical College
Ophthalmic Dispensing and Technology
Myron Moe
1355 West Main
Anoka, MN 55303
(612) 427-1880 x 297
NEW JERSEY
Camden County College
Opticianry
Raymond J. DiDonato, FNAO
P.O. Box 200
Blackwood, NJ 08012
(609) 227-7200 x322



Essex County College

Opticianry
Russell Elmo, AAS, FNAO
303 University Ave.
Newark, NJ 07102
(201) 877-3367



Raritan Valley Community College

Ophthalmic Science
Brian A. Thomas, BS
P.O. Box 3300
Somerville, NJ 08876-1265
(908) 526-1200 x8277
NEW MEXICO
Southwestern Indian Polytechnic Institute
Optical Technology
Samuel Henderson
9169 Coors Road, N.W.
Albuquerque, NM 87184
(505) 897-5359 x5360
This program offers both the accredited 2 year degree and the accredited Ophthalmic Laboratory Technology program.
NEW YORK

Erie Community College
Ophthalmic Dispensing
Paul E. Will, FNAO
6205 Main St.
Williamsville, NY 14221-7095
(716) 851-1570



Interboro Institute

Ophthalmic Dispensing
Jayne H. Weinberger, MA
450 W. 56th St.
New York, NY 10019
(212) 399-0091

New York City Technical College
Opticianry
Edward C. August, FNAO
300 Jay St.
Brooklyn, NY 11201
(718) 260-5298
.
Rochester Institute of Technology
Ophth. Optical Finishing
Douglas Wachter
52 Lomb Memorial Dr.
LBJ Bldg.
Rochester, NY 14623-0887
(716) 475-6585
This program offers only the accredited Ophthalmic Laboratory Technology program.
NORTH CAROLINA

Durham Technical Community College
Opticianry
Ellen D. Stoner
1637 Lawson St.
Durham, NC 27703
(919) 686-3485
TENNESSEE
Roane State Community College
Opticianry
Michael Goggin
Patton Lane
Harriman, TN 37748
(865) 354-3000 x 4319
TEXAS
El Paso Community College
Ophthalmic Technology
Jose Boca, BS, FNAO
P.O. Box 20500
El Paso, TX 79998
(915) 534-4075
nm,
Tyler Junior College
Mr. Steve Robbins, Program Director
1400 East Fifth Street
Tyler, TX 75798
(903) 510-2020
VIRGINIA
J. Sargeant Reynolds Community College
Opticianry
Randy Smith
P.O. Box 85622
Richmond, VA 23285-5622
(804) 786-3494



NOSTRA

Tri-Service Optician Schools (TOPS)
Naval Ophthalmic Support & Training Activity
Thomas Nelson Community College (NOSTRA)
Ophthalmic Dispensing
HMC Brian Watson, USN
NWS, P.O. Box 350
Yorktown, VA 23691-0350
(804) 887-7534
This program offers both the accredited 2 year degree and the accredited Ophthalmic Laboratory Technology program.
WASHINGTON

Seattle Central Community College
Opticianry
Gary Clayton
1701 Broadway
Seattle, WA 98122
(206) 344-4321


Hope this helps.

Diane

[Matthew]

Actually in Ohio, 2 years apprenticeship and a Passing ABO and NCLE if you want to dispense both spectacles and CL. Then the Optical Board reviews the passing ABO/NCLE and issues a licence.

4 Hours of continuing education are required per year.

[Matthew]

It is actually sad that the individual states do not require Licensure and education. This is a field that I believe requires it. I believe that opticianry is a truly professional and highly skilled job that not anybody can do.

[Pete Hanlin]

It is somewhat sad that our profession is not uniformly licensed. There are many reasons for the disparity from state to state- namely:

• the lack of universal formal education requirements
• apathy (or ignorance) on the part of patients
• non-participation by Opticians in their state societies' lobbying efforts (i.e., apathy on the part of Opticians)
• strong participation by Optometrists and the Chains in lobbying efforts
• the fact that a large proportion of Opticians work under the auspices of ODs and MDs

Sadly, it takes effort and money (did I mention money?) to gain the legislative clout needed to gain licensure. It will also require that those in the profession realize that formal education requirements are simply necessary. I personally wish for a day when the ABO/NCLE will require an AA degree before one can sit for the exams. With the new programs that are coming on line (literally, on line), this should be acheivable.

Pete

[optigoddess]

Oregon -

It's advised to take the ABO but nothing is "required".

[Ari]

In state of Nevada you need:

• ABO
• Proving five years experience or apprentice program
• State practical and written exam
• Than keeping up on pts. 12 hours a year
• And of course your annual $ 200.00 a year

[Di822]

Louisiana......all you have to do is show up for work every day.
ABO is a plus for the resume', but it won't get you another 50 cents a hour. Our bill for licensure just failed...again. We have one school offering an optical program, but it is threatening to drop the program due to lack of interest. So sad.

[dawn]

Here all we are required to do is show up every day. It is insane that west virginia has some of the steepest requirements for hairdressers but I can put my finger in your eye without a license.
For my own personal satisfaction, I am licensed in Ohio and ABO certified. In fact I hope to take my NCLE in the spring. If anyone has some leftover study materials lemme know.
stormy_2@citynet.net

Dawn:

[sandeepgoodbole]

In india, there are just no regulations. We are having utmost freedom. Satisfaction of customers is the only exam but we have to appear for it with evry customer visiting us !!. I guess, it's much cheaper as compared to cost of Certifications and litigations which are rampent in US. :cheers:

[Johns]

I noticed that several of the replies state "all you have to do is show up..." Does this mean that you can dispense glasses and contacts in your own shop, w/o supervision of an MD or OD ? What about Western states such as Wyoming, Montana, & Idaho?Must you be an OD or MD to own a dispensary ?

[ioconnell]

To get into college to Study optometry in Ireland, you need to get at least a C3 grade in Physics and B3 in mathematics, higher level, and at least a B2 in 6 other higher level subjects in the State leaving Certificate examination.. There is only one place to study optometry in Ireland so places are limited.

In college or IT, For a degree, you study 3 years in the college then 1 more year consisting of an intensive course in Supervised optometric practice

[jediron]

kjw1231 said:
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.

The New York State lic. used to be the toughest exam to sit for. I should know because I sat through it in 1973. At that time out of
95 people from Buffalo taking the exam I believe a total of 10%
passed. On that exam you had to know Geo Optics, Anatomy and
Physiology of the eye, Algebra, English, Contact Lenses ect.ect.
and the Practical. All in all you were tested in each subject with an
exam that consisted of 100 questions each and you had to pass
with at least a 70. You were tested for 3 and half days with all of the above.
But because of big business not wanting to pay higher wages
they had the exam reduced to the mickey mouse exam it is today.

:hammer:

[wmcdonald]

Where in your wildest imagination would you get that educators do not want high standards? We do not set the requirements, it is the legislative bodies and state boards that have the responsibility of making sure people served by Opticians in their respective jurisdictions are prepared to serve the public. I know of NO educator in Opticianry who thinks we are sufficiently educated and trained! It is the lack of licensure requirements, or the relatively simple requirements in many states that, as an educator, we strongly encourage changing. As my young friend Ian has pointed out, Optometrists are well prepared, but unfortunately most Opticians are woefully deficient when it comes to formal education, which is a big deal to legislators when looking at licensure/practice issues for Opticians. Wait before you jump om me....I am an Optician, but if we are to get anywhere, we must improve our required educational standards across the board. I know some one will come on now and say that they have done what they do for a hundred years and they are the best in the world at measuring PDs and taking seg heights, but that is NOT all Opticians do in many areas. The need for licensure is based on potential harm to the public. It would be difficult to harm anyone (directly) with a pair of specatcles unless you stuck the temple in their eye! We need to expand scope of practice through education and THEN we will see our lot improve. Then the ODs and MDs who hire the cute little lady from McDonalds (what a fine name for a restaurant) who "poof" becomes the Optician in the doctors office will go away. We must improve or we will no longer be viable as a profession.