As an optician in North Carolina, you can expect a rewarding career, working in a retail optical store, medical center or optometric office. Your work will involve interpreting lens prescriptions from physicians, measuring eyeglasses for customers, making lenses and fitting them into frames, and adjusting eyewear to fit customers’ tastes. Training programs prepare students for both state and national certification exams. Preparing to become an optician in North Carolina requires formal education as well as practical training. The steps outlined below will help you in preparing for a career as an Optician in North Carolina.Search Optician Certification Training Programs
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With a median annual salary of about $42,000 in many of the state’s major cities, job prospects for opticians in North Carolina are fairly bright. In Charlotte, Durham and Raleigh, the annual salary of opticians ranges between $39,000 and $51,000. In Greensboro, the annual salary falls between $38,000 and $50,000, while in Fayetteville, the annual salary ranges between $36,000 and $47,000.
Are you interested in a career that combines healthcare, fashion, and customer service? Becoming an optician may be the perfect option for you. Opticians play a vital role in providing patients with the eyewear they need to see clearly.
This comprehensive guide will walk you through exactly how to launch a career as a professional optician. We’ll cover all the key steps including
- What opticians do
- Optician job outlook and salary
- Optician education and training requirements
- Getting licensed as an optician
- Finding a job
- Advancing your optician career
Let’s get started!
What is an Optician?
Opticians are eyecare professionals who fill prescriptions for eyeglasses, contact lenses, and other vision devices as specified by ophthalmologists and optometrists.
Their main responsibilities include
- Interpreting eyeglass prescriptions
- Advising patients on frame selection
- Taking measurements to properly fit frames and lenses
- Ordering and adjusting lenses
- Educating patients on contact lens use and care
- Troubleshooting vision problems with eyewear
Opticians often work in optometry practices, retail stores, hospitals, or optical laboratories. Their specialized skills in optics allow them to ensure patients receive the vision correction they need.
Why Become an Optician?
Pursuing a career as an optician offers many exciting benefits, such as:
- Helping improve people’s vision and quality of life
- Getting to work with cutting-edge vision technology
- Variety in day-to-day tasks and patients
- Flexible full-time or part-time work options
- Opportunities to advance into managerial roles
- Reward of enabling better vision through expertise in optics
Optician jobs are also expected to grow over the next decade, ensuring plenty of open positions.
Optician Job Outlook and Salary
Employment for opticians is projected to grow 3 percent through 2030, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics. This will result in about 2,100 new optician job openings nationwide.
The average salary for opticians in 2021 was $37,970 per year ($18.26 per hour). However, salaries can range from less than $27,790 for the bottom 10 percent of opticians up to over $63,720 for the top 10 percent.
Experience level, specialty certifications, and geographic region impact average pay. Opticians who work in physician offices typically earn the highest wages.
Education Requirements to Become an Optician
While specific requirements vary by state, most opticians have a postsecondary education through one of these main paths:
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1-year optical technology certificate program – Offers concentrated career training. Some community colleges and technical schools offer these programs.
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2-year Associate’s degree in Ophthalmic Technology/Opticianry – Combines optics courses with general education. Gains broader science knowledge.
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Apprenticeship – Get on-the-job training under the guidance of an experienced optician. Less common today.
Any of these options will provide the optical knowledge and clinical training needed to begin working as an optician.
Step-by-Step Guide to Starting Your Optician Career
Follow these steps to launch your optician career:
1. Earn a High School Diploma or GED
Completing high school or an equivalent program is required to enroll in further optician training. Coursework in math, physics, biology and health will be helpful.
2. Complete an Optician Certificate or Degree Program
Enroll in a 1-year certificate or 2-year Associate’s degree program in ophthalmic technology. Course topics include optics, ophthalmic dispensing, contact lenses, eye anatomy, and diseases. Include an internship if possible.
3. Obtain Licensure in Your State
About half of U.S. states mandate licensure for opticians. After completing your education, apply to take the national certification exams from the American Board of Opticianry. Passing these allows you to become state licensed.
4. Consider Earning Specialty Certifications
Pursuing optician certifications in contact lenses, refractive procedures or management can give your resume an edge. These demonstrate specialized expertise.
5. Search and Apply for Optician Jobs
Once licensed, start your job search! Look for optician roles in eye clinics, retail optical stores, optometry offices and hospitals. It may take applying to multiple openings before landing that first job.
6. Learn Skills on the Job
Entry-level optician jobs will involve on-the-job training and mentoring. Soak up all the knowledge you can from seasoned opticians. Ask questions, observe and build your skills.
7. Advance Your Optician Career
After gaining initial experience, consider specialty certifications or pursuing an Associate’s degree. You can also aim for promotions to lead optician, manager or independent business owner.
Keys to Success as an Optician
Follow these tips to excel in your career as an optician:
- Build expertise in assessing vision needs and picking the best eyewear options for each patient
- Learn how to clearly explain aftercare instructions to patients
- Develop speed and accuracy taking frame measurements and adjusting lenses
- Stay up-to-date on new frames, contact lens and eyeglass lens technologies
- Focus on providing compassionate, patient-centered care during all interactions
- Be meticulous in your work and apply a high level of precision to every task
Getting certified in specialties like contact lenses can also boost your professional opportunities and earning potential.
Professional Associations for Opticians
Joining respected optician associations allows you to network, access career resources and demonstrate your commitment to the field. Top groups include:
- National Academy of Opticianry
- Opticians Association of America
- Contact Lens Society of America
- National Contact Lens Examiners
- American Board of Opticianry
Tap into the knowledge and support these established organizations offer.
Are you ready to start your exciting and meaningful career as a licensed optician? Follow the guidance outlined in this article to gain the training, skills and experience needed to succeed. You’ll be helping patients see the world more clearly in no time.
Optician Internship Requirements in North Carolina
The North Carolina State Board of Opticians has a practical training requirement in applying for licensure as a dispensing optician. Whether you choose to undergo a three-and-a-half year apprenticeship, or opt for a two-year associate’s degree program, you must complete a board-approved internship before applying for a license. Topics covered during the internship include assembly of eyewear, repair, fitting, record keeping, and maintenance of contact lenses. The six-month internship helps to validate the technical skills acquired during training.
Upon completion of formal training, you can apply for a license to practice as a dispensing optician. The licensure exam is offered twice a year, in March and October. Candidates are examined on various areas, including anatomy of the eye, application of optical manufacturing, contact lenses, eyeglasses, measurements of the face, and ophthalmic lenses. Once granted a license to practice, it remains valid for one year. Licenses expire automatically on the 1st of January every year. Renewal of licenses can be done prior to the expiry date.
Optician Education Requirements in North Carolina
North Carolina residents have two options in training to become an optician. One option requires completion of an apprenticeship at a board-approved establishment. An apprentice takes three-and-a-half years to complete. The apprenticeship option also incorporates an opticianry certificate program. The other option is take an associate’s degree in opticianry. Training programs equip students with technical skills in all areas of opticianry, including surfacing, benchwork and dispensing. Surfacing allows students to build practical skills in blocking, polishing and inspecting of both plastic and glass lenses. During benchwork, students learn the different types of beveling, heat treating, tinting, and mounting techniques. Dispensing teaches students how to measure, adapt and fit eyeglasses and contact lenses. Subjects covered during coursework include anatomy, eye physiology, math for opticians, ophthalmic lab concepts, and optical dispensing. Students also take coursework in customer relations and business to prepare them for the working environment. A good program is one that incorporates a practicum experience for students. During a practicum, students have the opportunity to apply skills acquired in class, in a real-world setting. Some programs make arrangements for practicum activities with retail optical outlets, medical centers or convalescent centers. When selecting an educational program, it is best to ensure that it is accredited by the Commission on Opticianry Accreditation. Training programs should also be approved by the North Carolina State Board of Opticians.
How to become an Optician in 2023
How long does it take to become an optician?
After graduation, you can work under the supervision of an experienced optician and receive on-the-job training. An optician apprenticeship typically lasts around two years. 3. Earn an associate degree Other aspiring opticians choose to complete a postsecondary education program offered by a college or technical school.
What skills do opticians need?
Communication skills: Opticians must constantly communicate with customers to understand what they need and then properly outline what their eyewear options are. Business skills: Many opticians have their own business and need to manage all other aspects besides creating and repairing eyewear.
What can I do with an online optician training course?
In our online Optician Training courses, you’ll develop the foundational knowledge and hands-on skills to work as an optician in an optometrist office, retail optical business, or eye clinic. You’ll cover fundamental topics to help you assist patients in selecting and fitting eye wear, and eye care in general.
How do I become a dispensing optician?
Start with a high school diploma or GED. Then, you can go through any of the following three routes to become a dispensing optician. The first route is to complete any of the one-year optician training programs that are available for high school graduates.
