How are You Dispensing Optician in a State which requires no state board or license ?

**t_appletart** · 05-19-2012, 09:31 AM

Hi,

I just had a quick question, I am a British Dispensing Optician who will be looking to move to the states, and am looking to qualify to practice when am out there. I have checked the different states, and some require no state board or license requirements, which made me wonder how can you be a Dispensing Optician with no license? Surely anyone can say they are a DO?

**EyeManFla** · 05-19-2012, 09:52 AM

In an unlicensed states...yup, you got it. HOWEVER, I've been in two licensed states, Florida and North Carolina, and two unlicensed states, Maryland and DC. DEPENDING on the optical house you apply at, IF YOU KNOW YOUR STUFF, you can get a decent job in a licensed state till you get your license. AND, contrary to what many of my friends say here, most of the older optical houses in the unlicensed states are pretty picky about who they hire. If you say you are optician and you don't know jack, you won't last long.

**Jacqui** · 05-19-2012, 10:06 AM

What's a 'license'?? I live in an unlicensed state and here all that is required is basic knowledge to get a fairly decent job. Your education and experience should help you get to the front of the line. Start working on an ABOC certificate as soon as possible when you get here.

**t_appletart** · 05-19-2012, 10:13 AM

Originally Posted by Jacqui

What's a 'license'?? I live in an unlicensed state and here all that is required is basic knowledge to get a fairly decent job. Your education and experience should help you get to the front of the line. Start working on an ABOC certificate as soon as possible when you get here.

does a decent job equal decent pay? That's my concern. Worried how you can get a good wage with no proven credentials

**Judy Canty** · 05-19-2012, 10:31 AM

...pulling my popcorn out of the microwave...

**Jacqui** · 05-19-2012, 11:52 AM

Originally Posted by CuriousCat

...pulling my popcorn out of the microwave...

I'd join you, but I'm out of popcorn

**EyeManFla** · 05-19-2012, 12:12 PM

Originally Posted by t_appletart

does a decent job equal decent pay? That's my concern. Worried how you can get a good wage with no proven credentials

Yes, more that possible........I make a pretty good salary now, and I'm not NC licensed.....but I have a lot of credentials to back me up......

**optical24/7** · 05-20-2012, 04:17 AM

I employ a British expatriate part time. Clients love the accent. Rate of pay in the states hinges more on location and experience than if the state is licensed or not. Look for MD offices or upper end opticals for top pay, avoid the chains. Good luck!

**EyeManFla** · 05-21-2012, 03:12 PM

I worked for a chain in Florida that was paying LDOs next to nothing because there was such a glut of unemployed LDOs

Originally Posted by optical24/7

I employ a British expatriate part time. Clients love the accent. Rate of pay in the states hinges more on location and experience than if the state is licensed or not. Look for MD offices or upper end opticals for top pay, avoid the chains. Good luck!

**t_appletart** · 05-21-2012, 03:15 PM

Originally Posted by EyeManFla

Yes, more that possible........I make a pretty good salary now, and I'm not NC licensed.....but I have a lot of credentials to back me up......

would it be rude to ask what you consider a good wage?

**chip anderson** · 05-21-2012, 05:20 PM

If you so worried bout gittin a "decent wage" git a job on commission. Then you have no one but yourself to blame, not the sheepskin, or the people you work for.

Or do you want a job that pays good wages without your working much?

Chip

**Wes** · 05-21-2012, 06:30 PM

Hey Chip, nix the rudeness. This guy is no clown. The Brits know their stuff, usually better than we do.

**t_appletart** · 05-21-2012, 06:41 PM

I am moving across the world with a young family to support. I am looking for ways to prove myself to any future employer so that I am able to do so.

People have different views on a good wage. One person may consider a good wage enough so they can go drinking at the weekends and have fun, which is why I question. If sitting exams is the difference between a weekend supporting wage and a supporting my family wage, then I would like that information before I apply for any roles.

**Wes** · 05-21-2012, 06:47 PM

Show potential employers your Brit credentials. Sign up for the first available exams after you get here put on by ABO-NCLE http://www.abo-ncle.org/
If you move to a licensing state, become licensed. Join the state opticians association. Take the advanced exams from ABO-NCLE, and earn the Master certification.

**optical24/7** · 05-22-2012, 09:37 AM

Originally Posted by t_appletart

would it be rude to ask what you consider a good wage?

I can't speak for the whole country, but you should be able to get around 50k (U.S.) in the Houston area. (only at the locations I mentioned earlier). OD don't pay that for the most part.

**t_appletart** · 05-22-2012, 10:31 AM

What are OD and MDs?

**thelittlestnixon** · 05-22-2012, 10:35 AM

OD`s are doctors of optometry. They do the refraction here in North america, they are like your refracting opticians in UK. MD`s are ophthalmologists.

**EyeManFla** · 05-22-2012, 11:16 AM

That will depend on a lot of factors, not the least of which is where you go.

I was making 50k a year in DC in the '90's, then I moved to SW Florida where thry pay you crap. I did get up to about 60k a year by 2007. But, like I said, when I left in 2011, there were LDOs making less than 30k just to get a job.

Here in NC 35-45k is possible with the right place.

Originally Posted by t_appletart

would it be rude to ask what you consider a good wage?