Healthcare

How to become an Optician

From no experience: every step, how long it takes, and the credential it earns.

Time to get there

6–18 months

Typical pay

$38k–$55k

Starting from

No experience

Pay is an estimate of typical US entry-level pay for this role and varies by state, employer and shift. The timeline assumes you are starting from no experience and includes any licence or programme legally required — not just course length.

The route

1. 1

   1–3 months

   Get hired in an optical shop

   Many opticians start as a retail optical assistant and train on the floor.

2. 2

   6–12 months

   Learn lens optics and frame fitting

   Prescriptions, pupillary distance, and how to adjust a frame so it stops sliding.

3. 3

   Certify with ABO

   The national opticianry exam. Around 20 states also licence opticians separately — check yours.

   ◆ ABO certification

4. 4

   Add contact lens certification

   The NCLE credential lets you fit contacts, which most shops pay more for.

   ◆ NCLE certification

5. ✓

   Destination

   Optician

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