What Is an Optician? (And How to Become One)

An optician is an eye professional with expertise in fitting eyewear, including frames and contact lenses, that correct problems with people’s vision. They are fully qualified to work with customers to find the eyewear that suits their needs based on a prescription ordered by an eye doctor.

You can become an optician by earning an optician certificate, getting a related associate degree, or serving an apprenticeship. Learn more about the role of an optician and the steps you’ll take to start a career in this field. 

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What is an optician?

An optician generally takes a customer service-facing role in a vision care store to design, fit, and adjust eyeglasses, contacts, and prescription sunglasses. As an optician, you’ll support people in finding appropriate eyewear with their prescription, ensuring they leave with something fitting for their individual needs. You’ll use precision measuring instruments to fit eyewear to customers properly, and you may also arrange for repairs and educate customers on how to care for their eyewear. 

Most opticians work in eye care centers or stores, but some work alongside optometrists in medical settings and optometrist offices. You’ll also usually be in charge of some administrative tasks related to running the eyecare center or office. These often include:

• Making and keeping track of appointments

• Recording and maintaining records of prescriptions and purchases

• Ordering and stocking inventory

• Submitting insurance information

• Selling eyewear accessories

The differences between an optician, an optometrist, and an ophthalmologist

Opticians, optometrists, and ophthalmologists work with people to improve their eyesight, but they have different responsibilities. All these roles support each other and are an essential part of ensuring patients’ eye care.

The chain starts with the optometrist, who performs vision tests and eye exams to write prescriptions for corrective lenses or eye medication and to uncover any abnormalities in the eye.

The optician’s role is to design suitable eyewear for the customer based on the prescription given by the optometrist.

An ophthalmologist is a medical doctor specializing in vision care. A person in this position can do everything an optometrist can do. Still, they are also licensed to practice medicine and perform surgical operations, whereas an optician and an optometrist are not doctors of medicine. 

What is an OD doctor?

An OD doctor is an optometrist. OD stands for Doctor of Optometry. For this role, you obtain a Doctor of Optometry degree along with completing four years of additional schooling and sitting an exam.

How to become an optician

You can qualify to be an optician in three main ways. For most optician training routes, you must have a minimum of a high school degree. To practice, you often need a license to work as an optician and the necessary training and certifications, but your state’s requirements may differ. 

Those states that require an optician license will often expect opticians to take a written or a practical exam, or they may grant a license on completion of an official certification program. As this varies, it is best to do some research to find out whether licensure is a requirement in your area. 

Route 1: Optician certificate

An optician certificate allows you to enter a career as an optician and usually takes a year to complete. Numerous certifications are offered through community colleges, vocational institutes, technical schools, and online. You will take classes designed to train you in the skills you need as an entry-level optician, such as:

• Ocular pathology

• Ophthalmic materials

• Contact lens fitting and modifying

• Geometric optics

• Opticianry sales techniques

• Professional ethics

A certificate program typically includes clinical instruction, which you may complete at a nearby vision store or medical practice. By earning a certificate, you should have the preparation you need to take a certification exam or obtain state licensure, should you desire.

Route 2: Associate degree in ophthalmic dispensing

A second route to an optician job is an associate degree in ophthalmic dispensing. This includes the same or similar coursework as a certificate option, but it also includes core classes required by the school you’re attending. Therefore, it usually takes two years to complete. You can look for an associate degree program at the same types of institutions that provide optician certificate programs.

Some programs offer internships, allowing on-the-job training, and you can even choose distance learning options. Selecting a course accredited by the Commission on Opticianry Accreditation is also recommended. 

An associate degree in ophthalmic dispensing typically involves a mix of coursework, practicals, and written exams, ensuring you can translate a prescription effectively to meet the patient’s needs. You’ll learn how to adjust and shape eyewear as well as understand different infections and diseases of the eye.

Like a certificate program, an associate degree will also help you prepare for the exams you may choose to take for a state license or national certification.

Route 3: Apprenticeship

The third route is to complete an apprenticeship. This is on-the-job training either in a vision center or medical practice, supervised by an optometrist or an ophthalmologist. Direct experience is a practical way to learn this type of role. A certain number of hours must be signed off to complete an apprenticeship and begin a career as an optician, typically taking at least two years.

Another draw for this option is that apprentices can earn while they learn, and options are available on national job boards with other optician vacancies. An apprenticeship may lead to continuing to work in your position at the same location after qualifying. 

Optician license and certification

After completing your certificate, associate degree, or internship, you may need to take a licensing exam before working as an optician. About half the states in the US have this requirement. Your program of study should inform you of your state’s requirements, or you can research your state’s optician licensing laws.

You might also choose to pursue optician certification, offered by the American Board of Opticianry & National Contact Lens Examiners (ABO-NCLE). This could make it easier to qualify for certain jobs since certification validates your knowledge and skills as an optician. 

You’ll take a series of exams that assess your practical skills to earn certification. You can seek certification at three levels of the hierarchy that attest to your skill level: basic, enhanced, and master. You’ll need to renew your optician certification every three years to keep it current. 

Optician jobs

Following optician training, optician jobs are commonly available in vision stores, private practices, and medical practices. To gain a position, it’s important to make sure you have followed one of the three routes, obtained licensure if necessary, and can demonstrate the relevant skills you need to succeed in an optician role. These often include attention to detail, communication skills, dexterity, and empathy. 

Job boards offer roles at all levels, from apprenticeships to more senior positions. The US Bureau of Labor Statistics estimates that employment of opticians is set to grow by 3 percent between 2023 and 2033, bringing with it new jobs and opportunities [1].

Optician salary

According to the US Bureau of Labor Statistics, the average salary for an optician is $44,170 per year as of May 2024 [1]. Glassdoor lists the average salary as $45,076 as of November 2024 [2]. A career as an optician scores high on factors such as work-life balance and career outlook, with over 5,000 optician jobs in the United States listed on Indeed in November 2024 [3].

Opticians can specialize in a specific area, earn certification, take on supervisory roles, or opt for further study to move into optometry for higher-paying salaries.

Get started in a career as an optician with Coursera

As an optician, you will work with an optometrist to create eyewear based on patient prescriptions. If you’re considering a career as an optician, you may want to start by learning about the physiology of the eye before deciding on the route that suits you most. Learning about visual perception can also give you a foundational knowledge of vision problems and how they’re related to the brain.

In addition to pursuing the professional qualifications or training outlined previously, working on your professional development can help you when it comes to setting yourself apart in an interview. 

Workplace skills such as customer service and communication are essential to the role of an optician and are a great place to start. Take a look at Coursera courses, certificates, and specializations. Join the global community and develop your skills!

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