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22 of 50 US states require optician licensure. Find out what your state requires — and which exams you need to pass.
22
States Require License
28
States No License
~16
Require ABO Exam
6
Have State Exams
Whether you need a license to work as a dispensing optician depends entirely on your state. There is no federal optician license. Each state decides independently whether to regulate the profession, what exams to require, and how much education or experience is necessary.
Of the 22 states that require licensure, most use the ABO exam (NOCE) and/or the NCLE exam (CLRE) as their primary examination. A handful of states have their own state-specific exams, and several layer additional practical exams on top of the national certifications.
Even in the 28 states that don't require a license, ABO/NCLE certification is strongly recommended. Most employers prefer or require certified opticians, and certification typically results in higher starting pay and better career advancement.
The table below shows each licensed state, whether it requires ABO and/or NCLE certification, and whether it has additional state-specific exams.
ABO for spectacles, NCLE for contact lenses
ABO + NCLE + state practical exam
State board exam (70% passing); 3+ yrs experience or accredited program
Separate registrations: Spectacle Lens Dispenser (ABO) and Contact Lens Dispenser (NCLE)
ABO + NCLE + DPH practical exam; 4-year/8,000-hour apprenticeship
ABO/NCLE or current certification; electronic fingerprinting required (2024)
ABO + NCLE basic and practical exams
ABO + NCLE required
ABO + NCLE; state-administered or NCSORB practical
ABO + NCLE + state practical exam; 3-year/4,200-hour apprenticeship
7 exams total: ABO + NCLE basic, advanced & practical + state laws exam
Registration only — no exams, no education required
State qualifying technical + licensing examinations
ABO + NCLE; no reciprocity with other states
ABO + NCLE basic and practical; exams offered twice yearly (Mar/Oct)
NCLE for contact lens dispensing; experience-based path for spectacles
ABO + NCLE referenced in regulations
ABO + virtual practical exam
ABO + NCLE + NCSORB practical exam
State board exam; 3-year/4,680-hour apprenticeship
State exam administered by Board for Hearing Aid Specialists and Opticians
Adopted ABO-NCLE exams as state requirement in 2018
In these states, anyone can legally work as a dispensing optician without a license or certification. However, voluntary ABO/NCLE certification is still common and advantageous.
Note: Texas deregulated optician licensing in 2015. Employers in unlicensed states may still require ABO/NCLE certification as a condition of employment.
The ABO and NCLE are separate certifications for different aspects of optical dispensing:
Spectacle lens dispensing
Contact lens dispensing
If your state requires both, you'll need to pass each exam separately. Most candidates take the ABO first, then the NCLE. Both exams are offered in the same quarterly testing windows through Prometric testing centers.
Several states require exams beyond (or instead of) the national ABO/NCLE certifications. If you're in one of these states, plan for additional preparation time:
State practical exam in addition to ABO and NCLE national exams
DPH practical exam with separate eyewear and contact lens components
State practical exam covering neutralizing Rx, ANSI standards, PAL identification, and frame adjusting
Nevada Laws and Ethics exam on top of all 6 ABO/NCLE exams (basic, advanced, practical for each)
State qualifying technical exam (written + practical in neutralization and fabrication) plus licensing exam
State board exam covering ophthalmic materials, laboratory skills, physiological optics, and dispensing
State exam administered by the Board for Hearing Aid Specialists and Opticians
State board exam requiring minimum 70% score
The general path to optician licensure follows these steps, though specific requirements vary by state:
Contact your state board of dispensing opticians (or equivalent) to confirm current requirements. Requirements change — verify before planning.
Most states accept either a 2-year accredited opticianry program (Commission on Opticianry Accreditation) or a multi-year apprenticeship under a licensed optician. Some states like California and Florida have no education requirement.
Register for the ABO (NOCE) and/or NCLE (CLRE) exams through abo-ncle.org. If your state has additional exams, register for those through your state board.
Submit your application to your state board with exam scores, education/apprenticeship documentation, and applicable fees. Some states require fingerprinting or background checks.
ABO/NCLE certification is valid for 3 years. Renew through continuing education and a renewal fee. State license renewal varies — check your state board for CE requirements.