Optician Certification Training

Disclaimer

Continuing Education is a program of Santa Fe College's Center for Innovation and Economic Development (CIED).

These courses are non-credit, Industry certification courses and are not eligible for financial aid. Please contact Continuing Education at 352-395-5896 with questions, or for additional information.

Overview 

No matter which area of opticianary you choose, you'll be in high demand in the job market because the need for eye care professionals is constantly expanding. It may surprise you to learn that while our eyes are healthier in many ways than in the past, some eye problems are actually growing more common due to changes in our lifestyles and the aging population.

For instance, the incidence of myopia (nearsightedness) is growing rapidly. In fact, experts estimate that nearsightedness will increase by 50% over the next decade. It may be because we spend more time doing close work and less time outside. Other eye problems, such as presbyopia (the poor near vision that develops as we age), are also increasing as our population gets older.

In this course, you can gain the skills and knowledge you need to obtain an entry-level job as an optician in the states that recognize this certification. In addition, you'll prepare to take the Basic American Board of Opticianry (ABO) exams, which includes the NOCE (National Opticianry Competency Exam) and the CLRE (Contact Lens Registry Exam), which is required by many states to work as an optician or as a stepping-stone to career advancement.

After successfully completing this course, you will possess the knowledge required to pass the American Board of Opticianry (ABO), National Opticianry Certification Exam (NOCE) exam, or Contact Lens Registry Exam (CLRE). However, we do recommend researching your state's requirements prior to pursuing a career as an optician. While some states only require a high school diploma or GED and passing score on the ABO exam to fulfill licensing requirements, others have their own optician licensing exams. Additionally, some states may require that opticians complete an apprenticeship program or degree program in order to become licensed.

Details

What you will learn

  • Learn how to understand and assign prescriptions to customers
  • Develop an understanding of the human eye and how it functions
  • Understand the different corrective eye care solutions available for patients
  • Learn how various prisms and lenses work
  • Prepare for the NOCE and CLRE.

How you will benefit

  • Master the mathematical formulas that opticians need to know.
  • Learn how to read prescriptions for glasses and contact lenses.
  • Understand style basics of eyewear.
  • Become familiar with the equipment opticians use, learn about prisms and lens types, and gain an understanding of eye anatomy and eye diseases.
  • Fully prepare to begin or further your career as an optician—and gain the skills and knowledge you need to advance in this medical field.

Outline

  1. What Is an Optician?
  2. Preparing for the NOCE and CLRE
  3. The Parts of the Eye
  4. Simple Math and Algebra Concepts for Opticians
  5. Light, Prentice's Rule, and Abbe values
  6. Ophthalmic Lens Designs
  7. Refractive Errors
  8. The Spectacle or Glasses Prescription
  9. Lens Materials and Treatments
  10. Effective Power and Compensated Power Calculations
  11. All About Frames
  12. Frame Adjustment Basics and Dispensing
  13. Lensometry, Measurement Devices, and Multifocal Lens Considerations
  14. Prisms and Decentration
  15. Midterm Exam
  16. Keratometry and Corneal Topography
  17. Laws, Regulations, and Guidelines
  18. Contact Lens Prefitting
  19. Slit Lamp Biomicroscopy
  20. Soft Contact Lenses
  21. Rigid Gas-Permeable Contact Lenses
  22. Hybrid and Scleral Lenses
  23. Orthokeratology and Keratoconus
  24. Contact Lens-Related Conditions and Pathology
  25. Ocular Pathology and Systemic Conditions That Affect the Eyes
  26. Optician Review
  27. Final Exam (Cumulative)
  28. Optional Career Roadmap Lesson

Requirements

Hardware Requirements:

  • This course can be taken on either a PC or Mac.

Software Requirements:

  • PC: Windows 8 or newer.
  • Mac: OS X Snow Leopard 10.6 or later.
  • Browser: The latest version of Google Chrome or Mozilla Firefox are preferred. Microsoft Edge and Safari are also compatible.
  • Adobe Acrobat Reader.
  • Software must be installed and fully operational before the course begins.

Other:

  • Email capabilities and access to a personal email account.

Instructional Material Requirements:

The instructional materials required for this course are included in enrollment. The following textbooks will be shipped to you approximately 7-10 business days after enrollment:

  • System for Ophthalmic Dispensing, by Clifford W. Brooks and Irvin Borish
  • The Optician Training Manual, by David S. McCleary
  • All About Your Eyes, by Jennifer S. Weizer and Sharon Fekrat

Prerequisites

There are no prerequisites to take this course. However a high school diploma or GED is required to take the ABO exam.

After successfully completing this course, you will possess the knowledge required to pass the American Board of Opticianry (ABO) and National Contact Lens Examiners (NCLE) Basic certification exams, Opticianry Certification Exam (NOCE) and Contact Lens Registry Exam (CLRE). However, we do recommend researching your state's requirements prior to pursuing a career as an optician. While some states only require a high school diploma or GED and passing score on the ABO exam to fulfill licensing requirements, others have their own optician licensing exams. Additionally, some states may require that opticians complete an apprenticeship program or degree program in order to become licensed.

Instructor

Dr. Beverly Smith is a Doctor of Optometry and has been in private practice for 30 years. She holds a Master of Business Administration and founded a consulting firm that helps new practitioners start and manage their own eye care practices. Throughout her career, Smith has taught many future opticians, certified paraoptometrics, and fellow optometrists. Her work has been published in the professional journals New O.D. and Women in Optometry.

FAQs

Can I register for a course if I am an international student?

Yes, ed2go courses are completely online. However, keep in mind that not all certifying bodies or industry-specific certifications are recognized internationally. Please review your country's regulations prior to enrolling in courses that prepare for certification.

Does this course prepare for a certification?

Yes, you will be prepared to take the American Board of Opticianry (ABO) and National Contact Lens Examiners (NCLE) Basic certification exams - Opticianry Certification Exam (NOCE) and Contact Lens Registry Exam (CLRE).

When can I start the course?

This course is open enrollment, so you can register and start the course as soon as you are ready. Access to your course can take 24-48 business hours.

How long does it take to complete this course?

This course is self-paced and open enrollment, so you can start when you want and finish at your own pace. When you register, you'll receive six (6) months to complete the course.

What if I don't have enough time to complete my course within the time frame provided?

The time allotted for course completion has been calculated based on the number of course hours. However, if you are unable to complete the course, contact your Student Advisor to help you work out a suitable completion date. Please note that an extension fee may be charged.

What kind of support will I receive?

You may be assigned with an instructor or team of industry experts for one-on-one course interaction. Your support will be available (via email) to answer any questions you may have and to provide feedback on your performance. All of our instructors are successful working professionals in the fields in which they teach. You will be assigned to an Advisor for academic support.

What happens when I complete the course?

Upon successful completion of the course, you will be awarded a Certificate of Completion.

Am I guaranteed a job?

This course will provide you with the skills you need to obtain an entry-level position in most cases. Potential students should always do research on the job market in their area before registering.

Can I get financial assistance?

This course is non-credit, so it does not qualify for federal aid, FAFSA and Pell Grant. In some states, vocational rehab or workforce development boards will pay for qualified students to take our courses. Additionally, some students may qualify for financial assistance when they enroll, if they meet certain requirements. Financing is available from select schools. Learn more about financial assistance.

How can I get more information about this course?

If you have questions that are not answered on our website, representatives are available via LIVE chat. You can also call us at 1-877-221-5151 during regular business hours to have your questions promptly answered. If you are visiting us during non-business hours, please send us a question using the "Contact Us" form.

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