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How to Become an Optician in California

Interested in becoming an optician, optical lab technician, optical dispenser, or contact lens fitter in California? Then you will need to understand the stepping stones for entering the profession of opticianry, including the required education, certification, and licensure.

Below, we provide an overview of each of these areas so you can properly prepare for your professional journey and begin a rewarding career in vision care.

Table of Contents

Education Options for Optical Technicians in CA
Optician Certification Requirements in CA
NOCE & CLRE Overview
Retaking the Exam
Optician License Requirements in CA
License Application & Registration Fee
Application Processing Time
Taking the First Step Toward Becoming an Optical Technician

Want more details about the Optical Technician program?

By submitting this form, I provide my signature, expressly consenting to calls, prerecorded messages, emails and/or texts regarding my educational options from American Career College using an automated dialing system to the number and email address provided. I understand my consent is not required to enroll at American Career College, and that I can withdraw my consent at any time. To request information without consenting, please call 877-832-0790. I also understand that I may revoke my consent at any time in accordance with ACC's Opt-Out Disclaimer. All information provided is subject to ACC's Privacy Policy. (**Standard rates may apply.) Disclaimer I understand that if I no longer wish to receive text messages from ACC, I may revoke my consent at any time by texting back "Stop" to unsubscribe from the service. I understand that if I no longer wish to receive emails, I may revoke my consent at any time by clicking the "Unsubscribe" link within any email I receive from ACC. I understand I may revoke my consent to receive calls by informing any ACC associate calling me that I no longer want to receive calls from ACC.

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Education Options for Optical Technicians in CA

You can obtain your education and training from optician school, which typically takes anywhere from one to two years, depending on the program. American Career College’s Optical Technician program takes 9 months to complete. Your optical technician program should prepare you for an entry-level position in the field of opticianry, providing you with training on how to:

Optician Certification Requirements in CA

Individuals who want to become licensed as an optician in California must pass a national certification exam. According to the California State Board of Optometry, if you are seeking a Spectacle Lens Dispenser license, you must pass the American Board of Opticianry (ABO) exam. If you are seeking a Contact Lens Dispenser license, you must pass the National Contact Lens Examiners (NCLE) exam.

The specific Certification exams you will need to take include the following:

American Career College’s Optical Technician program helps students prepare for the NOCE (also known as ABO) and the NCLE.

Optical Technician Gallery

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NOCE & CLRE Overview

Here are some important things to note about the NOCE and CLRE:

  • Eligibility: Candidates must be 18 years or older with a high school diploma or GED
  • Test location: Choose a Prometric Test Center
  • Number of questions: 125 multiple-choice questions (a portion of these may not be scored and are instead pretested for future exam use)
  • Duration: 2 hours
  • Exam cost: $175 (non-refundable)
  • Number of times per year offered: Once per month
  • In regards to the exam cost, ACC reimburses students if they pass the test during their time in the Optical Technician program and up to six months after they have completed the program.

    See the ABO-NCLE Basic Exam Handbook to learn about the exam content. It’s worth noting that while there are new practical exams offered by the ABO-NCLE, California does not require them.

    Retaking the Exam

    If you need to retake an ABO or NCLE exam, you may do so after waiting 14 days from the date of your last test. If you retake the exam three times and are unable to pass, you must wait 90 days before you become eligible for another retake.

    Learn more about ACC's Optical Technician program

    Available in Los Angeles and Ontario

    View full program details

    Optician License Requirements in CA

    An optician can obtain licensure in California only if they are certified with the American Board of Opticianry (ABO) or National Contact Lens Examiners (NCLE) first. More on that later.

    Anyone in California who fits and adjusts glasses and contact lenses must have a license registered with the California State Board of Optometry — unless they are operating under the direct supervision of an optometrist, ophthalmologist, or registered optician. In the latter case, the individual will be working as an optical assistant. It is illegal to call oneself an “optician” in California without registration with the state board.

    There are four different types of optical technician licenses you can register for through the California State Board of Optometry, including:

    Registered Dispensing Ophthalmic Business: This RDO registration is for businesses that offer fittings and adjustments of spectacles and/or contact lenses.

    Spectacle Lens Dispenser: This registration is for optical technicians who plan to work in dispensing optical businesses.

    Contact Lens Dispenser: This registration is for those who plan to work in dispensing optical businesses.

    Nonresident Ophthalmic Lens Dispenser: This registration is for out-of-state businesses that ship ophthalmic lenses to consumers within California.

    To submit an application for or register a license, you can do so online using BreEZe.

    License Application & Registration Fee

    When applying for a license, you will need to first pay a $150 application fee to have your application reviewed by the Board. Upon approval, you will then need to pay a $200 registration fee to register your license with the Board. You will then need to pay a $200 renewal fee every two years

    Application Processing Time

    You can expect the following timelines for the proceeding of your application:

    Application Type

    Processing Time

    Registered Dispensing Ophthalmic Business

    3 - 5 weeks

    Spectacle Lens Dispenser

    3 - 5 weeks

    Contact Lens Dispenser

    3 - 5 weeks

    Nonresident Ophthalmic Lens Dispenser

    1 - 2 weeks

    Source: Department of Consumer Affairs, California State Board of Optometry

    Taking the First Step Toward Becoming an Optical Technician

    If you’re ready to start your journey, enroll today in an educational program that will provide you with the foundational knowledge and training you need to feel confident working as an entry-level optical technician.

    ACC’s Optical Technician program can prepare you for the role of connecting patients with eye care solutions. The program is offered at our Los Angeles and Ontario campuses and is taught in a blended format combining in-person instruction with online coursework.

    Learn more about the Optical Technician program at ACC!

    Want more details about the Optical Technician program?

    By submitting this form, I provide my signature, expressly consenting to calls, prerecorded messages, emails and/or texts regarding my educational options from American Career College using an automated dialing system to the number and email address provided. I understand my consent is not required to enroll at American Career College, and that I can withdraw my consent at any time. To request information without consenting, please call 877-832-0790. I also understand that I may revoke my consent at any time in accordance with ACC's Opt-Out Disclaimer. All information provided is subject to ACC's Privacy Policy. (**Standard rates may apply.) Disclaimer I understand that if I no longer wish to receive text messages from ACC, I may revoke my consent at any time by texting back "Stop" to unsubscribe from the service. I understand that if I no longer wish to receive emails, I may revoke my consent at any time by clicking the "Unsubscribe" link within any email I receive from ACC. I understand I may revoke my consent to receive calls by informing any ACC associate calling me that I no longer want to receive calls from ACC.

    *Required

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