Career Programs ... Health Care ... Optician Overview

Optician

Learn the skills you need to begin a career as an Optician - at home, at your own pace.

Help select and fit eyeglasses and contact lenses for people with eye problems following prescriptions written by optometrists and ophthalmologists. Penn Foster's program will helps you develop the skills you need to succeed in this profession.

Receive training in:

National Certification Preparation
Graduates of the Penn Foster Optician Program are prepared to sit for the National Opticianry Competency Examination (NOCE), which is administered by the American Board of Opticianry (ABO). Those who pass the NOCE are awarded the ABOC credential (ABO certified). Graduates are also prepared to sit for the Contact Lens Registry Examination (CLRE), which is administered by the National Contact Lens Examiners (NCLE). Those who pass the CLRE are awarded the NCLEC credential (NCLE certified).

You'll receive the following materials from the National Academy of Opticianry and the Contact Lens Society of America to help you prepare for the ABO/NCLE certification exams:

State Licensing Requirements
Licensing requirements for opticians vary from state to state throughout the United States. As of this writing, 21 states require the passing of at least one of the following examinations for licensure of Opticians: American Board of Opticianry (ABO) certification exam, National Contact Lens Examiners (NCLE) certification exam, and a state practical examination. Twenty-five states have no state board or licensing requirements. You should contact your state's appropriate licensing bureau for the current requirements or your state legislature for pending legislation.

Clinical Practicum Requirement
This program requires students to enroll in a six-month (120-hour) practicum during the course of their studies. You’ll be required to find a clinical site within your local community to complete the practicum. Potential clinical sites include an optician’s office or laboratory, an optometric practice that contains an optical dispensary, an ophthalmic practice that contains an optical dispensary, a hospital that contains an eye clinic, and a retail optical business. All clinical sites must be approved by the program instructor.