Arizona

What are the continuing education requirements for license renewal in Arizona?

12 hours, every 3 years

4 hours minimum in Spectacles

3 hours in Contact Lenses

1 hour in State or National Opticianry Standards

4 hours remaining in any category

Internet CE allowed? Yes

Is Optical Training Institute an approved continuing education provider in Arizona?

Yes, licensed opticians in Arizona can take any of our online continuing education courses on our website.

What is the Optician Development Program approved for in Arizona? 

ODP will reduce 1 year of the 3-year Apprenticeship requirement.

What are the requirements to become a licensed optician in Arizona?

Section 32-1683 Qualifications of applicants

1. Not have been convicted of a crime involving moral turpitude.
2. Not be a former licensee under this chapter whose license was suspended or revoked and not subsequently reinstated.
3. Be a high school graduate or the equivalent as prescribed by rules of the board.
4. Establish that the applicant has the required technical skill and training necessary for licensing by any one of the following means:

1. Submit evidence of having a valid and subsisting license in good standing from another state that licenses dispensing opticians or ophthalmic dispensers and whose requirements are substantially equivalent to the requirements of this chapter.
2. Submit evidence of having served as an apprenticeship in optical dispensing for three of the six years immediately preceding the date of application under the direct supervision of a dispensing optician, optometrist or an allopathic or osteopathic physician who holds an active license in good standing issued by any state. The apprenticeship must include all principal phases of optical dispensing in order to result in the applicant acquiring the minimum basic skills required for optical dispensing. The board may accept a maximum of one thousand hours of alternative optical laboratory experience toward satisfying the apprenticeship requirements if that experience meets the standards established by the board.
3. Submit evidence of graduation from a school of optical dispensing that presently meets the standards required for approval by a nationally recognized body on opticianry accreditation as determined by the board.  The applicant must also have served an apprenticeship in optical dispensing as prescribed in subdivision (b) of this paragraph for one of the six years immediately preceding the date of application.
4. Submit evidence of having worked as a dispensing optician or having served as an apprentice to a dispensing optician, a physician or an optometrist in a non-licensing state for three of the six years immediately preceding the date of application. This work or apprenticeship must include all principal phases of optical dispensing in order to result in the applicant acquiring the minimum basic skills required for optical dispensing.

Section 32-1683 (the below is a portion of the section)

1. To assist it in determining whether an applicant has acquired the minimum basic skills required for optical dispensing, the board shall require a written and practical examination of all applicants for an initial license. This requirement does not apply to applicants who qualify pursuant to section 32-1683, paragraph 4, subdivision (a).  The board may prescribe other reasonable rules relating to the examination of applicants as it determines necessary for the performance of its duties.  The board may accept the results of a written or practical examination prepared by a nationally recognized body as determined by the board in lieu of those portions of an examination prepared by the board if they are at least substantially equivalent to those prepared by the board.  The board may keep all procedures relating to the administration of the examination and the answer keys confidential.

For more information: Statutes | Board Of Dispensing Opticians (az.gov)

What exams are required in Arizona to become a licensed optician?

Passing of the National Opticianry Competency Examination and the practical examination offered by the American Board of Opticianry (ABO) are required.

Passing of the Contact Lens Registry Examination and the practical examination offered by the National Contact Lens Examiners (NCLE) are required.

How can you contact the Arizona state board?

Arizona State Board of Dispensing Opticians

Phone: (602) 542-3095

1400 W. Washington Ave, Room 230

Phoenix, AZ 85007

Contact Us | Board Of Dispensing Opticians (az.gov)