The outlook for working as an optician in California is excellent, especially since the Golden State has the most employed opticians in the country, according to the BLS. San Luis Obispo-Paso Robles-Arroyo Grande, CA Salaries in California by Occupation ProfessionĬertified Dispensing Optician Salaries in California by Region Region Ophthalmic medical technologists earned approximately $41,330 in 2020, while doctors of optometry earned an average of $130,450 in the same year. The Bureau of Labor Statistics predicts that jobs for opticians in California will increase by 8 percent through 2030.Īs of May 2021, the average annual salary for opticians working in California was $47,020. Additionally, there were 3,900 people working as ophthalmic medical technicians and approximately 4,700 people employed as optometrists in the same year.

Outlook and Salaries for Opticians in CaliforniaĪccording to the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), there were about 8,600 people working as opticians in California in 2020. This training program is similar to the other programs mentioned above, but since it’s an online diploma program students can take each class at their own pace. The Penn Foster College offers an online Optician Exam Prep Career Diploma Program that can be completed in seven months.Additionally, graduates of the program can take advantage of the school’s job placement services. Upon completion of the course, students will receive a Certificate of Completion as an Optometric Assistant. The Charles A Jones Career and Education Center in Sacramento offers an Optometric Assistant/Dispensing Optician program that can be completed in 27 weeks or 810 hours.The school’s Optical Technician Certificate Program can be completed in as little as nine months and covers everything from conducting basic eye exams to filling prescriptions from ophthalmologists and optometrists.

The American Career College - Los Angeles offers a certificate training program for those interested in becoming an optician.There are quite a few optician certification training programs offered throughout the Golden State, but most of these programs can be found in the Los Angeles and Sacramento areas. It’s not uncommon for opticians right out of school to take the beginner’s certification exam and work their way up as they gain on-the-job experience. the ABO exam includes various levels for opticians including beginner, advanced and master dispensing optician. Upon completing an education program you will be eligible to take the necessary exams including the American Board of Opticianry (ABO) exam and National Contact Lens Examiner’s (NCLE) exam. A diploma program, a certificate program or even an online program in opticianry, including the programs mentioned below, will suffice. Formal education in opticianry is a California requirement as well, but the education requirements are not extensive. Licensure is a requirement for opticians working in California and is granted by the Medical Board of California and The Board of Optometry. Licensing Requirements for Opticians in California To become an Registered Dispensing Optician, applicants must first fulfill all the requirements mentioned above and then pass additional exams administered by the American Board of Opticianry. This advanced certifications indicates that the individual has achieved a certain level of skill and knowledge, and allows opticians to practice without supervision in California. Registered dispensing optician (RDO) is a higher level of certification available for opticians in California. ABO certification exam results are valid for three years, while NCLE exam results are valid for five years.

After completing the necessary optician training requirements, applicants must pass both parts of the ABO exam and one part of the NCLE exam to gain certification. Generally, individuals wishing to become an optician in California must be at least 18 years old, high school diploma and they must have successfully completed a two-year college program or a four-year apprenticeship program. These certifications demonstrate that they have passed an exam and met the ABO-NCLE requirements for becoming a licensed optician. Opticians are required to have a valid certification from the American Board of Opticianry (ABO) and National Contact Lens Examiners (NCLE). Sponsored Listings Optician Certification in California

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