Supporting Your Path to Becoming a State Licensed Optician
Many states require opticians to complete an apprenticeship to become fully licensed. OTI’s training platform is here to support your apprenticeship journey, from getting the training you need to meet state licensure requirements to preparing for national ABO & NCLE certification.
How to Become a State Licensed Optician
To become a licensed optician, many states require an apprenticeship. Here’s how OTI helps you achieve state licensure and national certification:
ABO & NCLE Certification
Our Optician Development Program (ODP) is a comprehensive career training program designed to prepare you for the ABO and NCLE exams. The training includes foundational optical theory, lens design, patient care, and more, ensuring you're well-prepared for the certifying exams and the next step in your optician career.
State Licensure Requirements
Some states require licensure to practice as an optician, in addition to ABO & NCLE certification. We’ve made it easy to find out if you need a state license, how to get it, and how our Optician Development Program (ODP) supports apprenticeships.
Optician Development Program (ODP)
Comprehensive Career Training for Optician Apprentices
The Optician Development Program (ODP) is an all online, personalized, and self-paced career training program
designed to equip you with the skills and knowledge to succeed as an optician.
It prepares you for ABO & NCLE certification and is approved for apprenticeship training in the following
states:
Alaska,
Arizona,
Florida,
Georgia,
Massachusetts,
North Carolina*,
South Carolina,
Tennessee, and
Virginia.
* provisional approval by the North Carolina State Board of Opticians.
ODP includes access to:
Exam Pass Guarantee
We’re so confident in the effectiveness of our program that we offer an Exam Pass Guarantee for both ABO & NCLE exams. If you don’t pass, we’ll work with you until you do—or your money back (in full!)*.
Personalized 1:1 Support
Receive dedicated guidance through 1:1 study sessions with an advanced instructor. Our team is there to help you review difficult concepts, work on practice problems, and answer all your questions.
Study Resources for Success
Gain access to over 800+ practice questions, flashcards, gamified activities, and practice tests. These resources are designed to help you retain key information and prepare with effective study tools, along with test-taking tips to improve your exam performance.
* Students who complete the ODP curriculum and pass all module practice and final exams are eligible for the Exam Pass Guarantee. Students who do not pass the ABO or NCLE exam on their first attempt will receive additional coaching and study material. Students who complete the required material and do not pass the ABO or NCLE exam on their second attempt are eligible for a refund for the total cost of the course.
Enhance Your Technical Skills with Real-World Virtual Simulations
The Optician Simulator offers you the opportunity to practice your technical skills in a risk-free, virtual environment. This tool not only helps build your skills but also prepares you for the practical exam, which tests your ability to apply your knowledge in real-life scenarios.
Realistic, Hands-On Practice
Encounter simulated patient interactions and practice solving common optical challenges, like lens fitting and troubleshooting using six essential optical instruments: the lensometer, pupilometer, eyeglass adjustment tools, PD ruler, keratometer, and slit lamp.
Practical Exam Preparation
The Optician Simulator allows you to practice key skills such as lens measurement, fitting, and use of 6 optical instruments. This helps prepare you for simulated patient interactions during the exam and ensures you're ready to demonstrate your competency in real-world scenarios.
Confidence-Building Exercises
Practice key techniques without the pressure of working with actual patients, allowing you to refine your skills at your own pace and gain the confidence you need to succeed in both the exam and your career.
Stay Compliant with OTI’s CE Courses and Automated Reporting
OTI offers a variety of Continuing Education (CE) courses to help you stay up-to-date with the latest trends, technologies, and industry standards. As a certified optician, ongoing education is key to maintaining your certification and growing your skill set.
ABO, NCLE & State Approved Courses
All courses are approved by ABO, NCLE, and state regulatory bodies (depending on your state), ensuring they meet the highest standards for professional development.
Flexible Learning Options with Automated Reporting
All courses are online, available anytime and anywhere. OTI also reports your credits directly to ABO & NCLE, so you don't have to scramble to meet CE deadlines or worry if your credits were reported.
Expand Your Knowledge and Skills
Courses range from new lens technologies to patient care techniques, providing comprehensive training across all areas of opticianry.
What Opticians Are Saying About OTI’s Trainings
Hear directly from our students about how OTI's training has transformed their careers and the impact it’s had on their personal lives.
"I prefer ODP because it mimics a classroom environment with the provided instructor videos. Unlike other training providers, where it's a textbook online with small print that makes it hard to focus, ODP has a better layout with the colors and brightness allowing for better studying."
"You are out here changing people's lives and don't even know how impactful you are. Your Optician Development Program has not only changed my life, but has allowed me to change my family's life too because if I didn't pass those tests and get that knowledge, I wouldn't have been able to take care of my family. So thank you for all you do. The program helped me see the value in education and certification, which has also directly impacted the patient care I deliver with my team."
Take the Next Step in Your Apprenticeship
Your apprenticeship provides hands-on experience, and OTI is here to support the educational component of your apprenticeship. No matter if you are just beginning or already in your apprenticeship, OTI’s Optician Development Program offers comprehensive training to prepare you for ABO & NCLE certification and fulfills state apprenticeship requirements. Let us help guide you through the next steps toward becoming a fully licensed optician.