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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