Hawaii
What are the continuing education requirements for license renewal in Hawaii?Not Required
Internet CE allowed?
Not RequiredLicensing renewal every 2 years
Is Can users in Hawaii take Optical Training Institute CE courses for license renewal?CEs not required for state licensing renewal, but users can take to renew their ABO-NCLE certifications.
What are the requirements to become a licensed optician in Hawaii?Section 16-91-11 Application for examination and certificate of licensure.
(a) An application for examination shall be filed at least forty-five days before the examination which is scheduled by the board at least two times each year. The applicant shall submit to the board the application for examination and certificate of licensure in a form approved by the board, which shall include the applicant’s experience and signature, and shall be accompanied by the required application and examination fees. 5
(b) The executive secretary of the board shall determine the sufficiency of the application for examination and certificate of licensure and of the preliminary qualification of the applicant for admission to the examination.
(c) In order to apply for a certificate of licensure, an individual must have completed one of the following:
(1) The equivalent of a high school education and three years of full-time practical and mechanical optical work experience as a opticianry apprentice;
(2) Graduation from an opticianry course accredited by the Commission on Opticianry Accreditation; or
(3) Previous licensure in another jurisdiction which required successful completion of the required national examinations described in subsection (e).
(d) To prove an applicant’s work experience as required by subsection (c)(1), an applicant shall submit with the application for examination and certificate of licensure, notarized statements signed by a dispensing optician, ophthalmologist, or optometrist attesting that the applicant has had at least three years of full-time practical and mechanical optical work experience as an opticianry apprentice, including experience with eyeglasses and contact lenses or its equivalent under the direct personal supervision of a dispensing optician, ophthalmologist, or optometrist.
(e) Before being issued a certificate of licensure, an individual must pass the National Opticianry Competency Examination (NOCE), the National Contact Lens Registry Examination (NCLRE), and a practical examination. An individual who passes all three of these examinations shall be licensed as a dispensing optician. If the applicant fails to pass any one of the examinations, the individual shall not be licensed as a dispensing optician. Any applicant who has previously passed both the NOCE in another jurisdiction and the NCLRE shall not be required to retake these examinations and shall be issued a license upon successful completion of the practical examination.
(f) To qualify for admission to the practical examination covered in section 16-91-18, an applicant shall have successfully passed both the NOCE and the NCLRE.
(g) To prove that an applicant has previously passed both the NOCE and NCLRE, an applicant shall submit with the application for examination and certificate of licensure, verification of having successfully passed the NOCE and NCLRE. The passing score for the NOCE and NCLRE shall be that established by the NOCE and NCLRE.
For more information:
Professional & Vocational Licensing Division | Statute/Rule Chapter
What exams are required in Hawaii 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.
Passing of the state practical examination.
How can you contact the Hawaii state board?Department of Commerce & Consumer Affairs
Dispensing Optician Program
PO Box 3469
Honolulu, HI 96801
Phone: 808-586-2704
Professional & Vocational Licensing Division | Dispensing Optician Program