North Carolina is one of only twenty-three states that require optician licensing by law. Rules and regulations regarding optician training requirements, licensing, and certification are established by the North Carolina State Board of Opticians. The following information will be relevant to you if you are wanting to be licensed as an optician in the state of North Carolina.
North Carolina State Opticianry Law:
Article 17 § 90–234 – § 90–255.1
No person or combination of persons shall for pay, or reward, either directly or indirectly, practice as a dispensing optician as hereinafter defined in the State of North Carolina without a certificate of registration issued pursuant to the provisions of this Article by the North Carolina State Board of Opticians.
General Eligibility Requirements:
- At least 18 years of age
- A high school graduate or equivalent
- Of good moral character
Technical Skills and Training Requirements:
- Completed a six–month internship by working full time under the supervision of a licensed optician, optometrist, or physician trained in ophthalmology, in order to demonstrate proficiency in the areas of measurement of the face, and fitting and adjusting glasses and frames to the face, lens recognition, lens design, and prescription interpretation.
- Must fulfill one of the following…
- Completed a two–year course of training in an accredited school of opticianry with a minimum of 1600 hours
- Completed three and one–half years of apprenticeship while registered with the Board under a licensed dispensing optician, with time spent in a recognized school credited as part of the apprenticeship period
Opticianry Degree Programs:
Durham Technical Community College, located in Durham, offers a 2-year Associate in Applied Science (A.A.S.) Degree in Opticianry. This program satisfies the educational requirements established by the North Carolina State Board of Opticians. If you are interested in enrolling in this program, you will be required to complete the following tasks:
- Complete enrollment application
- Attend student orientation
- Submit official high school transcripts
- Submit transcripts from previous colleges
- Complete placement tests
- Complete the English Language Requirement Form
- Meet with an advisor to complete a Comprehensive Education Plan
- Complete all developmental courses
If you would like to download and print the official checklist, click here. You can also learn more about the program by visiting the department website.
Examination Requirements:
- An examination conducted by the Board which shall be confined to such knowledge as is reasonably necessary to engage in preparation and dispensing of optical devices.
- The examination shall be given at least twice each year at sites and on dates that are publicly announced 60 days in advance.
Licensure by Reciprocity:
The Board shall grant a license without examination to any applicant who…
- Is at least 18 years of age
- Is of good moral character
- Holds a license in good standing as a dispensing optician in another state
- Has engaged in the practice of opticianry in the other state for four years immediately preceding the application to the Board
- Has not violated the rules of the Board
Fees and Forms:
- Application for Examination, $200
- Non-licensed State Application, $200
- Apprenticeship Application, $25
- Internship Application, $25
- Application for Examination
- Non-licensed State Application
- Apprenticeship Application
- Internship Application
- Other Forms
State Contact Information:
Phone: (919) 733-9321
Fax: (919) 733-0040
E-mail: Submit Here
NC State Board of Opticians
PO Box 6758
Raleigh, NC 27628-6758
Web Site: North Carolina State Board of Opticians
State Association: North Carolina Opticians Association
Current Job Offerings:
Dr. Steven C. Moore & Associates
OPTICIAN – Licensed or non-licensed for upscale optometric practice in uptown Charlotte, NC. Must be a great sales person and knowledgeable in the optical field.
Office hours are 7:30AM – 4:30PM, Monday-Friday. No evenings or Saturday hours! Benefits range from paid vacation time to insurance benefits to a retirement fund.
Please send resume to smoore5014@carolina.rr.com or call 704-281-4853.
I work 50 hrs a week 9-7 m-f – is there an accredited online course I can take for this to get the 2 year degree?
Hi,
Im a Licence Optician in Puerto Rico for 8 years. Can I reciprocity? My family is moving to Charlotte, NC.
thanks
Hello! I am currently an apprentice optician. Do I need to apprentice under a licensed optician or can I be supervised by a doctor? Ophthalmologist or optometrist. Thanks!
Lindsay,
The laws relating to dispensing opticians in North Carolina state that an apprentice may work under the direct supervision of a licensed optician, optometrist, or physician trained in ophthalmology.
I am planning to move to North Carolina and have been licensed in the state of New York for one year. What are the requirements since I have not been licensed in another state for four years?
Tracey,
You may be required to complete the normal technical, training, and examination requirements. We would highly recommend contacting the Board directly to find out what their expectations are for your particular situation.
Hello, My name is Gustavo Nadasi. I have been a licensed optician in the State of New Jersey since 1996. As we are relocating to North Carolina next year, I would like to have my license in NC by Reciprocity. I was and still am working for LensCrafters in New Jersey for 20 years as a full-time licensed optician, until 2010. Then I retired, and continued working for the same Company as a part timer. Will I still be entitled to reciprocity? I understand that there is also an internship requirement possibility. Will I be required to complete that? How long does the internship take? Thank you for your attention.
Gustavo,
You should be able to be licensed through reciprocity as long as your license in New Jersey is still in good standing and you worked for LensCrafters for four years immediately preceding the application to the Board. As far as taking the examination and completing an internship, we would recommend that you contact the Board directly to find out what they say.
What is the difference between handling and mailing glasses to a patient?
Georgina,
In general, the term ‘handling’ is used to refer to more advanced activities that require a license in some states. Tasks such as interpreting prescriptions, collecting face measurements, fitting and adjusting frames, lens design, etc are generally not performed by unlicensed personnel in regulated states while the simple act of mailing glasses off to a patient might be assigned to unlicensed employees.
Hi my name is Nick Pagano, I have been a licensed optician in the state of New York for 23 years. My family is relocating to North Carolina, does the state offer reciprocity with my New York State license?
Nick,
The North Carolina State Board of Opticians does offer licensure by reciprocity to those who are at least 18 years of age, of good moral character, hold a license in good standing within another state, have engaged in the practice of opticianry for four years in another state preceding application, and have not violated the rules of the Board. However, you might be required to complete an internship before being licensed. The application along with additional details can be found here.
I am currently a certified optician in Michigan, and have been employed by a busy practice for 20 years. I am looking at a move to the Raleigh area and was wondering what I need to do to obtain my license. Any info would be helpful.
Thanks!!
Nikki,
North Carolina does not allow for the transfer of a license from another state. According to the North Carolina State Board of Opticians, “Individuals who reside and practice in states that do not license opticians may qualify for exam entry by meeting statutory and rule requirements applicable to their circumstances.” The application for those coming from a non-licensed state can be found here. Qualification requirements are outlined in great detail on the application form.
“Completed three and one–half years of apprenticeship while registered with the Board under a licensed dispensing optician, with time spent in a recognized school credited as part of the apprenticeship period”
Please help me to understand this, Does this mean 3.5 years training with a licensed optician who has been to school? Or, training with a licensed optician for 3.5 years while attending a credited school?
Thank you!
Jessica,
North Carolina residents are required to complete either a 3.5 year apprenticeship in a Board approved training facility or receive a two-year degree in Opticianry or Ophthalmic Dispensing at a COA accredited program in order to become eligible to sit for the N.C. Opticianry Boards. I apologize for the confusion. Additional information about the requirements can be found on the North Carolina Opticians Association website.
Hello, my name is Harold E. Shaw and I am interested in become an optican. please send me some information about what I need to register as far as fees and applications and course requirements
Harold,
The majority of the information you will need in order to become an optician can be found on your state specific page. Thank you for visiting.