California
What are the continuing education requirements for license renewal in California?
No CE requirements for renewal.
Is Optical Training Institute an approved continuing education provider in California?
CE requirements are not needed for renewal.
What is the Optician Development Program approved for in California?
At this time, ODP is not approved in the state of California for apprenticeship alignment. The program can be taken for training and ABO-NCLE exam preparation purposes only.
What are the requirements to become a licensed optician in California?
Section 2559.2. Applications; Registration of Applicants; Display of Certificate [Spectacle]
- An individual shall apply for registration as a registered spectacle lens dispenser on forms prescribed by the board. The board shall register an individual as a registered spectacle lens dispenser upon satisfactory proof that the individual has passed the registry examination of the American Board of Opticianry or any successor agency to that board. In the event the board should determine, after hearing, that the registry examination is not appropriate to determine entry level competence as a spectacle lens dispenser or is not designed to measure specific job performance requirements, the board may thereafter prescribe or administer a written examination that meets those specifications. If an applicant for renewal has not engaged in the full-time or substantial part-time practice of fitting and adjusting spectacle lenses within the last five years then the board may require the applicant to take and pass the examination referred to in this section as a condition of registration. Any examination prescribed or administered by the board shall be given at least twice each year on dates publicly announced at least 90 days before the examination dates. The board is authorized to contract for administration of an examination.
- The board may deny registration where there are grounds for denial under the provisions of Division 1.5 (commencing with Section 475).
- The board shall issue a certificate to each qualified individual stating that the individual is a registered spectacle lens dispenser
- Any individual who had been approved as a manager or dispensing operations of a registered dispensing optician under the provisions of Section 2552 as it existed before January 1, 1988, and who had not been subject to any disciplinary action under the provisions of Section 255.2 shall be exempt from the examination requirement set forth in this section and shall be issued a certificate as a registered spectacle lens dispenser, provided an application for that certificate is filed with the board on or before December 31, 1989.
- A registered spectacle lens dispenser is authorized to fit and adjust spectacle lenses at any place of business holding a certificate of registration under Section 2553 provided that the certificate of the registered spectacle lens dispenser is displayed in a conspicuous place at the place of business where he or she is fitting and adjusting.
Section 2561. Qualifications for Registration; Denial of Registration [Contact Lens]
An individual shall apply for registration as a registered contact lens dispenser on forms prescribed by the board. The board shall register an individual as a registered contact lens dispenser upon satisfactory proof that the individual has passed the contact lens registry examination of the National Committee of Contact Lens Examiners or any successor agency to that committee. In the event the board should ever find after hearing that the registry examination is not appropriate to determine entry level competence as a contact lens dispenser or is not designed to measure specific job performance requirements, the board may thereafter from time to time prescribe or administer a written examination that meets those specifications. If an applicant for renewal has not engaged in the full-time or substantial part-time practice of fitting and adjusting contact lenses within the last five years then the board may require the applicant to take and pass the examination referred to in this section as a condition of registration. Any examination administered by the board shall be given at least twice each year on dates publicly announced at least 90 days before the examination dates. The board is authorized to contract with the National Committee of Contact Lens Examiners or any successor agency to that committee to provide that the registry examination is given at least twice each year on dates publicly announced at least 90 days before the examination dates.
The board may deny registration where there are grounds for denial under the provisions of Division 1.5 (commencing with Section 475).
The board shall issue a certificate to each qualified individual stating that the individual is a registered contact lens dispenser.
A registered contact lens dispenser may use that designation, but shall not hold himself or herself out in advertisements or otherwise as a specialist in fitting and adjusting contact lenses.
For more information: California Laws and Regulations Related to the Practice of Optometry and Opticianry 2020 Edition
What exams are required in California to become a licensed optician?
Passing of the National Opticianry Competency Examination offered by the American Board of Opticianry (ABO) is required.
Passing of the Contact Lens Registry Examination offered by the National Contact Lens Examiners (NCLE) is required.
How can you contact the California state board?
California State Board of Optometry
Phone: (916) 575-7170 Toll-free: (866) 585-2666
Email: [email protected]
2450 Del Paso Road, Suite 105
Sacramento, CA 95834