Nevada is one of only twenty-three states that require optician licensing by law. Official rules and regulations regarding optician training requirements, licensing, and certification are established by the Nevada Board of Dispensing Opticians. The following information will be important to you if you are hoping to be licensed as an optician in the state of Nevada.
Nevada State Opticianry Law:
A person shall not engage in the practice of ophthalmic dispensing or manage a business engaged in ophthalmic dispensing without holding a valid, active license.
General Eligibility Requirements:
- At least 18 years of age
- Of good moral character
- A citizen of the United States, or is lawfully entitled to remain and work in the United States
- A graduate of an accredited high school or its equivalent
Technical Skills and Training Requirements:
- Successfully completed a course of instruction on the fitting of contact lenses
- Completed at least 100 hours of training and experience in the fitting of and filling of prescriptions for contact lenses under the direct supervision of a licensed dispensing optician, a licensed ophthalmologist, or a licensed optometrist
- Has completed at least one of the following…
- Served as an apprentice dispensing optician for not less than 3 years in an optical establishment where prescriptions for spectacles or contact lenses are fitted and filled and has passed an educational program on the theory of ophthalmic dispensing
- Successfully completed an associates degree in ophthalmic dispensing approved by the Board and has had 1 year of ophthalmic experience as an apprentice dispensing optician under the direct supervision of a licensed dispensing optician, licensed ophthalmologist or licensed optometrist
Opticianry Degree Programs:
The College of Southern Nevada, located in Las Vegas, offers a 2-year Associate of Applied Science Degree in Ophthalmic Dispensing. This program only admits 15 students each year and it is recommended that you strictly adhere to deadlines when submitting your application. The admissions committee will be looking at whether you attended their Health Programs Orientation as well as previous education, ophthalmic related work experience, community service, and prior college courses.
You can learn more about admission requirements by clicking here. The college has also created a list of essential functions of ophthalmic dispensing students. You will be required to be able to perform these functions in order to be admitted. Click Here to view the list.
Individuals interested in applying to this program are strongly encourage to complete the tasks outlined on the new student checklist.
Examination Requirements:
- The National Opticianry Competency Examination administered by the American Board of Opticianry
- The National Contact Lens Registry Examination administered by the National Contact Lens Examiners
- A nationally standardized practical examination approved by the Board
- The practical examination is administered twice each year. The exam dates, application deadlines, location, and study guides can be found here
Fees and Forms:
- Application for Licensing, $350
- Apprentice License, $100
- Renewal Application, $300
- Apprentice Renewal Application, $50
State Contact Information:
Phone: (775) 853-1421
Fax: (775) 853-1408
E-mail: nvbdo@govmail.state.nv.us
State of Nevada Board of Dispensing Opticians
5565 Wedgewood Circle
Sparks, NV 89436
I am currently working in Pa. as an Optician apprentice and am currently scheduled to take my abo board in may. Assuming I pass what would I need to do to be eligible for state liscenseure in Nevada.
Hello. I have an associates Ophthalmic and Optometry diploma. Also, I have five years experience. I am dual certified in ABO and NCLE. I also have an Contact Lens and Dispensing license in the state of California. Is that satisfactory for me to work in the state of Nevada as an Optician? Do I need to make further steps in the state of Nevada, to work as an Optician? Thank you
I am currently in Oregon and I have been a working optician trained on Contacts and Glasses. I am becoming certified in Oregon after 7 years of experience. If I am certified does this transfer or can it be transferred to Nevada for licensing or will I have to just take another test for this state?. I am really wanting to move but want to work this out before moving so I can look for work right away in the field I am trained in.
Latacia,
If you have passed the ABO/NCLE exams in Oregon then they should transfer over to Nevada since they are national exams, but Nevada does have additional requirements for opticians including the completion of a board-approved optical theory course and contact lens theory course or an Associate’s Degree in Ophthalmic Dispensing. In addition, opticians must be ABO/NCLE certified and have 100 hours of documented contact lens training. You can request credit for previous education and training, but we would recommend contacting the Board directly to learn more about the other requirements.
I have been a licensed optician in California for 23 years. I am interested in moving to Nevada. I have worked at a doctor’s office, but the doctor has now moved and I have no idea where. Most places I have worked only allowed me to train contact lens insertion and removal. I currently work at Costco and am able to transfer. I need to have the 100 hrs of contact lens training and am trying to find a place here in California to do it. I think I have met the other requirements.
I have not yet finished the ophthalmic dispenser license application. I have gone to school in California to be an optician. Would I need anything else, would I need credit for prior experience? It states that an individual may apply for up to two years of credit for experience and training if not previously licensed as an apprentice. Would I need to sign up for the apprenticeship application as well?
Hi Sharon,
In most cases applicants are not required to complete an apprenticeship if they have obtained an Associates Degree in ophthalmic dispensing and have at least 1 year of experience. Since there are not very many training programs in the US for opticians, we typically recommend contacting the state’s Board to find out which programs they have approved. Their contact info can be found above. We also recommend checking out the materials found on our training resources page. I hope that helps. Please let us know if we can be of further assistance.
I have submitted my application for licensure as a Licensed Dispensing Optician in Nevada. I am currently licensed in other states (North Carolina, Virginia, Washington, Alaska, California and Hawaii). Does Nevada offer licensure by reciprocity with any of these states?
Terry,
There is a special ophthalmic dispenser license application available for individuals who wish to qualify for the Nevada State Ophthalmic Dispenser Examination who have an active equivalent license in another state and/or at least five years’ equivalent experience. As far as we know, you will still have to pass the state exam, but we encourage you to contact the State Board directly to verify that this is true for your specific situation. I hope that helps.