#optician certification

If you have ever spent time in an optical retail store, optometry office, or ophthalmology clinic then you were probably assisted by an optician at some point. Opticians are eye wear professionals who specialize in selecting and fitting eyeglasses. There are a number of skills that an optician must possess in order to have a comprehensive understanding of the optical market and current practices within the industry. These skills are typically acquired in a variety of ways.

There are approximately 23 states that currently require opticians to be formally licensed by the state. In these states, there are a couple of paths into the industry that an optician can take. The first route involves a two-year optician degree program followed by completion of the American Board of Opticianry (ABO) Exam and the National Contact Lens Examiners (NCLE) Exam. Some states may also require opticians to complete a state specific licensing exam. The other route involves an apprenticeship followed by completion of the ABO and NCLE exams. An apprenticeship usually consists of supervised training for a specific number of hours.

The remaining states, that have no optician licensing requirements, typically allow employers to establish their own expectations for the level of training and credentials that their opticians possess. Opticians in these states can have a wide range of experience and skills depending on what their past employers considered important. Opticians who work in these states will experience the greatest impact that credentialing can have on their earning potential and job opportunities.

Optical employers, regardless of geographic location, typically prefer to hire opticians who have formal education and credentials. These opticians have a more in-depth understanding of how to perform the job and require less overall training. One of the major benefits of being certified by the ABO and NCLE is the fact that customers are more at ease with professionals who have demonstrated that they meet nationally recognized standards for competence. Optical employers also understand that credentialed opticians give them a marketing advantage that their competitors may not have.

Another important benefit of becoming certified is a higher optician salary. Credentialed opticians make more money in nearly every state than those opticians who have not been certified. This is usually because they have a better understanding of the industry and current standards and practices. Certified opticians simply require less financial investment and support from their employers.

Finally, credentialed opticians are able to transfer their certification among all states regardless of licensing laws. Most states allow certified opticians to apply for licensure without completing additional training and education. It can be extremely frustrating for an optician who has spent years working in an unregulated state to have to go back to school or work as an optical assistant. Opticians who decide to move to regulated states will also be required to complete the ABO and NCLE exams before they can be licensed.

In order to ensure a positive client experience, opticians must possess good people skills. Clients enjoy interacting with opticians that are enthusiastic, outgoing, good at listening, knowledgeable, able to educate, and friendly. No amount of technical skills can overcome a personality that nobody enjoys being around. For this reason, optical employers will often establish personality traits as the number one priority when selecting an individual for the role of optician. If you possess these qualities, then you will be in high demand within the optical industry. If you lack these qualities, then you may want to consider alternative careers or you may want to work on improving your attitude toward working with people. While personality traits are critical to becoming a successful optician, there are also many technical skills that an individual must have in order to carry each task within the optician job description. Specific requirements will vary depending on who you work for, but there are some very common tasks that almost every optician will be expected to perform. These include eye wear prescription interpretation, collection of eye measurements, lens tint and coating education, work order creation, eye wear fitting and repairs, and inventory tracking. Do not worry if you are new to the profession and have not had time to master these skills. Most employers will allow you to work under the supervision of an experienced optician while you learn the ropes. Some states require that opticians complete a 2-year Associates in Applied Science (AAS) Degree or an apprenticeship prior to obtaining a license. Also, these states commonly require the successful completion of the American Board of Opticianry (ABO) Examination and the National Contact Lens Examiners (NCLE) Examination. While there are no requirements for being able to sit for these exams, individuals who have education and training tend to perform better. If you plan to work in a state that does not regulate opticianry, it is wise to voluntarily pursue formal credentials. Studies have shown that credentials increase an opticians earning power and result in better employment benefits.

Opticians are valuable members of the optical team who spend most of their time helping customers select and fit eye wear. The job may seem simple enough, but there are many opticianry skills that require time and training to develop. The fact that opticians have so much direct contact with customers means that they need to possess very specific personality traits. Individuals who have great people skills will be in high demand in the optical industry.

Optical employers look for people who are friendly, outgoing, and eager to assist customers. It is critical that opticians express excitement over the chance to help customers. After all, they have a dramatic impact on the customer experience and can have a lot of influence over the success or failure of an optical establishment. If you have determined that you possess the traits necessary to be a great optician, then it is time to familiarize yourself with the education, training, and examination requirements in your state.

Many states have established laws that require opticians to complete education and training prior to licensure. While the specifics of each state will vary, they all generally expect opticians to complete a 2-year Associates in Applied Science (AAS) Degree, an apprenticeship, the American Board of Opticianry (ABO) Examination, the National Contact Lens Examiners (NCLE) Examination, or all of the above. The exact regulations are different in each state. There are approximately 23 states that have such requirements. If you intend to work in a state that has no requirements, then your employer will likely have you trained under the direct supervision of an experienced dispensing optician.

Degree programs that are convenient to attend can be difficult to find. This is because formal opticianry education is a relatively new concept and few colleges and universities have set up such programs. In this situation, it might be a good idea to see if you can substitute the degree requirement with an apprenticeship. The goal of both is to teach individuals how to become an optician as well as prepare them for the ABO and NCLE exams. If you plan to work in a state that has no requirements, it is often recommended that you voluntarily seek credentialing.

The exams mentioned above have no requirements in order to take them and it is a good idea to pass them regardless of whether or not you are required to. Credentialed opticians commonly receive higher salaries, better benefits, and preferential treatment in the hiring process. They are also able to work in all states since the ABO and NCLE exams are the nationally recognized standard for optician competence assessment. This will give you more freedom when it comes to moving among states and will increase the number of employment opportunities available to you. Keep in mind that you will need to invest some time and effort in preparing for the exams since they are not easy to pass.

A career as an optician is extremely rewarding both personally and financially. There aren't many jobs that give you the kind of immediate satisfaction you get when you help someone improve their vision. While it can be a challenge to become licensed, we know you will be glad you put forth the time and effort. Opticianry is one of the best careers available.

In the most basic terms, an optician is a member of the optical team that specializes in helping clients select eyeglasses. While this task is the most fundamental aspect of a career as an optician, there are many other responsibilities that an optician must attend to.

These other tasks are important because they allow the optician to bring together all the necessary elements to create an enjoyable and memorable experience for the client. An optician that manages these responsibilities well, can have a dramatic impact on the success of the optical shop.

Opticians must possess personality traits that are conducive to daily client interaction. An individual who is outgoing, energetic, able to listen, able to educate, possesses patience, expresses empathy, and can stay calm under pressure will do well as an optician. Optical employers value these traits and are constantly looking for individuals who have them.

In addition to these critical character traits, employers are likely to include the following skills in the optician job description: ability to interpret eye wear prescriptions, experience in collecting eye measurements, knowledge of common lens alterations like tints and coatings, awareness of how to create work orders for laboratory technicians, ability to adjust and repair frames, skilled at educating about proper frame and lens care, and experience in tracking inventory.

These important elements of the dispensing optician job description cannot be learned overnight. Oftentimes, states require that opticians complete a degree program and an apprenticeship before they are allowed to work unsupervised. While you may want to work in a state that has no requirements, you would be well advised to voluntarily pursue professional education and training.

Few colleges offer a degree program in opticianry. Those that do, generally confer the Associates of Applied Science (AAS) Degree in Opticianry or Vision Technology. The AAS degree usually requires 2 years for completion and specifies that coursework must be completed on-campus. The goal of these programs is to prepare students for the nationally recognized American Board of Opticianry (ABO) Examination and the National Contact Lens Examiners (NCLE) Examination. Degree programs also offer hands-on training with real clients in local optical shops.

While the education and training requirements can be difficult to complete, we are confident that you will find the time and effort invested well worth it. Opticians have been in high demand for many years and it is expected that this trend will continue as our population ages. With such a high level of personal and financial satisfaction, it is important to keep opticianry near the top of your career opportunities list.