- I am interested in becoming a Dispensing Optician, what should I do?
- Will I be required to pass the Contact Lens Registry Exam?
- How do I get in touch with the examination company that gives the ABO and NCLE exam?
- What do I do to become an apprentice optician?
- What are the continuing education requirements?
I am interested in becoming a Dispensing Optician, what should I do?
Pursuant to 235 CMR 2.07 all applicants for licensure must have graduated from an accredited two-year educational program in opticianry or successfully complete one year of education in an accredited educational program in opticianry and successfully completed an apprenticeship of 3,000 hours/18 months or successfully complete an apprenticeship of 6,000 hours in no less than 3 years and have achieved a passing score on the Americian Board of Opticianry examination and the Massachusetts State practical examination.
Will I be required to pass the Contact Lens Registry Exam?
Effective June 1, 2007 all applicants will be required to achieve a passing score on the Contact Lens Registry Examination.
How do I get in touch with the examination company that gives the ABO and NCLE exam?
You can apply to take the National Board at any time:
American Board of Opticianry
National Contact Lense Examiners
6506 Loisdale Road, Suite 209
Springfield, VA 22150
1-800-296-1379
www.abo-ncle.org
You must submit an application for licensure, and become approved, prior to receiving information about taking the practical examination.
What do I do to become an apprentice optician?
You must apply to the Division of Apprentice registration at:
Division of Apprentice Training
P. O. Box 146759
10 Staniford Street
Boston, MA 02114
PH: (617) 626-5409
Fax: (617) 626-5427
Website
What are the continuing education requirements?
Pursuant to 235 CMR 3.03 (Effective June 1, 2006) all Licensed dispensing opticians must complete 12-hours of continuing education. Licensed dispensing opticians must complete 6-hours of eyeglass and spectacle ("ABO") coursework or 5 hours of ABO coursework and 1 hour of coursework concerning state and federal laws and regulations governing opticianry. Licensed dispensing opticians must also complete 6-hours of coursework concerning contact lens dispensing ("NCLE") or 5 hours of NCLE and 1 hour of cardiopulmonary resuscitation CPR training.