OPTICIAN
Career Outlook
Your New Career
As the population increases and the volume of people seeking eyeglasses and contact lenses grow, so does the need for trained Opticians. Opportunities in this career field are expected to increase more than 13% through 2018.* The Continuing Education Center training can give you the skills you need to start the exciting career you've always wanted.
Here are just a few of the options available when you complete your Career Diploma program:
- Work in an optical dispensary or laboratory, an optometrist's or ophthalmologist's office.
- Prepare work orders that give ophthalmic laboratory technicians the information they need to grind and insert lenses into a frame.
- Work in a hospital or clinical setting, or a retail optical store.
Your New Skills
When you become an Optician you’ll play an integral role dispensing and fitting eyeglasses and contact lenses to those who need them. You'll recommend eyeglass frames, lenses, and lens coatings after considering the prescription and the customer’s occupation, habits, and facial features. You’ll do important work that commands respect and gratitude from patients, doctors, and coworkers.
Your New Diploma
Earn your Optician Career Diploma at home in as little as one year by studying just an hour a day for your new career. Expert instructors and support staff – dedicated to helping you complete your coursework – are just a phone call or email away.
* Growth figures represent a ten-year period ending 2018. Source: "National Industry-Occupation Employment Matrix," a publication of the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics.
Program Overview
Learn how to fit and dispense eyeglasses and contact lenses with the Optician training program from the Continuing Education Center.
As an Optician, you'll help select and fit eyeglasses and contact lenses for people with eye problems following prescriptions written by optometrists and ophthalmologists. The Continuing Education Center Optician Program will help you develop the skills needed in this profession. Whether you work in an optical dispensary or laboratory, an optometrist's or ophthalmologist's office, a hospital or clinical setting, or a retail optical store, you'll have a career you can be proud of!
You'll receive training in:
- Math for Opticians
- Optical Principles, Terminology, and Anatomy
- Ophthalmic Dispensing
- Contact Lens Dispensing
- Professional Practice
And you'll learn it all at home — no classroom needed!
National Certification Preparation
Graduates of the the Continuing Education Center 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:
- Ophthalmic Dispensing Review Book
- Spectacle Certification Exam Math Review Book
- Spectacle Certification Exam Review Book
- Test Review 1 for Contact Lens Technicians
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.
Contact the Continuing Education Center Today.
Find out more about complete Optician training that includes:
- All the books, lessons, and learning aids you need.
- Toll-free instructional support.
- Access to student services by phone and mail.
Program Outline
Instruction Sets
Your program consists of courses designed to take you step-by-step through the techniques and skills you'll employ in your new career as an Optician. Your first course will be sent to you as soon as your enrollment has been accepted. Other courses will follow as you complete your exams, so that you will always have training materials to work with.
Computer Specifications
You will need access to a Microsoft® Windows®-based computer to complete this program. The Continuing Education Center recommends the following as minimum specifications: Pentium® II or better processor (Pentium® III preferred), using Microsoft® Windows® XP or later. You will also need access to the Internet and Microsoft® Office 2007 to complete portions of this program.
Because the Optician profession requires basic mathematics and reading/writing skills, you will need to complete two basic skills assessments before you begin your program—one for math and one for reading. These assessments are randomized and must be taken online. Students who do not pass one or both of these assessments will be required to take remedial courses to ensure their preparedness for the Optician curriculum.
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Basic Skills Assessment
All students are required to complete two Basic Skills Assessments, one in reading and one in math, to determine the level of readiness for beginning their selected program. Additional studies may be required.
ALH020: Introduction to Opticianry
This course is designed to introduce you to the field of opticianry and to members of the eye care team. You will learn about the history of opticianry, the qualifications and responsibilities of Opticians and other eye care professionals, and the different organizations, regulations, and standards that affect Opticians. You will also learn about effective study methods and how to apply them to this program.
HUM106: Interpersonal Communication
This course provides an opportunity to improve your use of words, gestures, tone of voice, facial expressions, listening skills, and overall physical appearance to better communicate your message.
ALH022: Math for Opticians
This course is designed to introduce you to the mathematical calculations performed in the opticianry profession. You will review both the English and metric systems of measurement, perform temperature conversions, use ratios and proportions to solve problems, and learn about variables and equations. You will also learn about decimals and signed arithmetic, and you will use a scientific calculator to perform common trigonometric calculations.
CSC102: Word and Excel®
This course is an introduction to the basics of a personal computer, the Windows® operating system, and the Internet. You will learn PC applications in word processing spreadsheets.
ALH023: Optical Principles, Terminology, and Anatomy
This course is designed to introduce you to basic optical principles and terminology, as well as the anatomy of the eye. You will learn about the properties of light; the characteristics of spectacle lenses used to correct vision; lens power, design, and prescriptions; common terminology used in the opticianry field; the different parts of the eye and their functions; and common disorders and diseases of the eye. You will also be introduced to the practicum requirements for the program.
ALH024: Ophthalmic Dispensing 1
This course describes the basic skills and techniques required of an ophthalmic dispenser. You will learn how to interpret written prescriptions, take facial measurements, determine correct frame sizes, align and adjust frames, and perform minor repairs. (Required textbook provided with the course.)
ALH025: Ophthalmic Dispensing 2
This course is designed to be a continuation of Ophthalmic Dispensing 1. Focus is on the theory of light, as well as lens power, design, materials, colors, safety, and edging. (Required textbook provided with the course.)
ALH026: Contact Lens Dispensing
This course serves as an introduction to contact lens dispensing procedures. Focus is on the history of contact lenses; optical principles; keratometry and biomicroscopy; rigid versus soft contact lenses; contact lens manufacturing, inspection, and modification; patient delivery procedures and follow-up care; and extended wear contacts. (Required textbook provided with the course.)
ENG010: Business English
This course provides instruction on the basic types of writing you’ll encounter in a business environment. You’ll learn about business letters, forms, client records, and memos; organization, grammar, punctuation, and sentence and paragraph construction; coherent paragraphs, well-organized documents, and purpose-focused materials; and accurate, attractive, and effective final copies.
ALH027: Professional Practice
This course will help you prepare for employment as an optical dispenser and complete basic business tasks on the job. Focus is on professional appearance, confidentiality, professional organizations, continuing education, employment opportunities, interviewing techniques, record keeping, patient billing, frame board management, professional relationships, and customer service. (Certification exam preparation materials provided with the course.)
At the end of the program, you will receive a pass/fail grade for the clinical practicum.
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Please Note: This program requires students to complete a six-month (120 hour) practicum in an optical dispensary, laboratory, and contact lens practice. Students will receive instruction under the direct supervision of a licensed and/or certified optician. Students are instructed to find a clinical site within their local community to complete the practicum. Potential clinical sites include an optician’s office or laboratory, an optometric or ophthalmic practice that contains an optical dispensary, a hospital that contains an eye clinic, and a retail optical business. It is highly recommended that students locate a clinical site before enrolling in the program.
Online Library and Librarian
Students in the Continuing Education Center have access to an online library for use during their studies. Students can use this library to do the required research in the courses they complete or can use it for general reference and links to valuable resources. The library contains helpful research assistance, articles, databases, books, and Web links. A librarian is available to answer questions on general research-related topics via email and to assist students in research activities during their studies with the Continuing Education Center.
Twenty-one 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. (Specific state licensing requirements can be found on the Opticians Association of America website: http://www.oaa.org/index.php?id=24.)*
This program requires students to enroll in a six-month (120-hour) practicum during the course of their studies.
A High School Diploma or GED is required to enroll in this program.
Microsoft, Windows, and Excel are trademarks of Microsoft Corporation registered in the United States of America and/or other jurisdictions.
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We reserve the right to change program content and materials when it becomes necessary.