Arizona is one of only twenty-three states that require optician licensing by law. The state rules and regulations regarding optician training requirements, licensing, and certification are established by the Arizona State Board of Dispensing Opticians. The following information will be applicable to you if you are wanting to be licensed as a dispensing optician in the state of Arizona.
Licensing: §32-1681 – §32-1687
A person shall not practice as a dispensing optician in this state without a valid license issued pursuant to this chapter. The board shall issue a license to any person who complies with the provisions of this chapter and board rules. All licenses expire at the end of each calendar year but do not expire while an application for renewal is pending before the board.
Applicant Qualification Requirements:
- Be of good moral character
- 3 letters attesting to good moral character
- Has not been convicted of a crime involving moral turpitude
- Has not been a former licensee under this chapter whose license was suspended or revoked and not subsequently reinstated
- Be a high school graduate or the equivalent as prescribed by rules of the board
- Has the required technical skill and training necessary for licensing
- 2 letters verifying employment (in opticianry field) over the past six years
- Picture of yourself taken within the past 6 months
To learn more about the specifics of these qualifying requirements click here.
Technical Skill and Training Requirements:
Your technical skills and training may be substantiated by supplying evidence showing any of the following requirements.
- A valid license from another state
- An apprenticeship, under the supervision of an optician, optometrist or physician, for three of the six years preceding the date of application
- Graduation from a school of optical dispensing that meets the standards for approval by a nationally recognized body on opticianry accreditation. Must have served an apprenticeship for one of the six years preceding the date of application
- Worked as a dispensing optician in a nonlicensing state for three of the six years preceding the date of application
Examination Requirements:
Completion of ABO & NCLE exams
To assist in determining if 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. You will be approved to take the practical examination once the board has evaluated your licensing qualifications and determined that you meet the requirements.
Practical examinations are administered in March and September of each year. The deadline to submit the application for the examination is 45 days prior to the examination date. The examination is administered at 1400 W. Washington, Phoenix, AZ Room B-1.
Examination dates for 2013: March 5th and September 4th
Deadlines for application submission: January 18th and July 19th
The board will issue a license if you successfully complete this examination.
License Renewal Guidelines:
You will be required to submit a renewal application on or before December 31st of each year. Renewal applications submitted after December 31st but before January 31st will incur a late fee. The board may allow a licensee additional time to submit a renewal application if the licensee demonstrates to the board’s satisfaction good cause to do so.
Fees and Forms:
- License Application, $100
- License Issuance, $100
- License Renewal, $135
- License Late Renewal, $235
State Contact Information:
Phone: (602) 542-8158
Fax: (602) 542-3093
Email: sharshines@yahoo.com
1400 West Washington Room 320 Phoenix, AZ 85007
Web Site: Arizona State Board of Dispensing Opticians
Association: Arizona Association of Dispensing Opticians
Please email me the rules and regulations so I may complete my application for the renewal of my application for 2018
Is it absolutely necessary to have 6 years work experience in the opticianary field in order to be eligible to become a liscenced optician? I am 32 and had my heart set on becoming an optician but I’d be 38 before I would qualify. Am I misunderstanding this?
Jelena,
The Arizona State Board of Dispensing Opticians requires that applicants meet one of the criteria listed above. In general, if you do not have a license from another state and have not graduated from a degree program in optical dispensing then you will be required to have worked as an apprentice or dispensing optician in an unlicensed state for three (3) of the past six (6) years preceding the date of application. If you have graduated from an optical dispensing degree program then you will only be required to complete one (1) year as an apprentice.
I am confused about renewing my ABO Certification. It doesn’t say if I need CEC? So do I just pay it?
Vickie,
ABO Certification Renewal requirements do include continuing education. For just the ABO renewal you will need 12 continuing education credits and will need to submit the $85 fee. NCLE renewal requires 18 credits and an $85 fee. Renewal for both credentials requires 21 credits and costs $170. Acceptable courses must be approved and have a number assigned to them. The alternate renewal option is to submit proof of a current license in a licensing state that requires continuing education.