South 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 South Carolina Department of Labor, Licensing, and Regulation. The following information will be relevant to you if you are wanting to be licensed as an optician in the state of South Carolina.
South Carolina State Opticianry Law:
Licensing: Section 40-38-30 – 40-38-390
It is unlawful for a person to practice as an optician without being licensed. A person who displays a sign or in any way advertises himself to be an optician is deemed to be practicing opticianry within the law.
General Eligibility Requirements:
- Graduated from an accredited public or private high school or secondary school of equal grade approved by the board or has completed an equivalent course of study approved by the board.
Technical Skills and Training Requirements:
Must complete one of the following…
- Graduated from a two-year school of opticianry
- Had two years’ apprenticeship under a South Carolina licensed optician, optometrist, or ophthalmologist
- A currently valid optician’s license in another state
- Been engaged in opticianry for not less than two years in a state that does not license opticians
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
- South Carolina practical examination administered twice per year in Columbia, SC.
- There is a $295 practical examination fee
Fees and Forms:
- Licensure Application, $25
- Contact Lens Application, $25
- Apprentice Application, $20
State Contact Information:
Phone: (803) 896-4681
Fax: (803) 896-4719
E-mail: contactllr@llr.sc.gov
Board of Examiners in Opticianry
PO Box 11329
Columbia, SC 29211-1329
South Carolina Board of Examiners in Opticianry
State Association: South Carolina Association of Opticians
I’m licensed in Georgia. So I qualify to sit for the SC State Board as is?
Do you have to work for/with the licensed optician that you apprentice under?
I have a licence in the state of New Jersey.
I have an ophthalmic dispenser degree.
I served a 4 year apprenticeship program.
What is now left for me to do to become a licenced dispenser in the state of South Carolina.
I also have been working full time in the optical retail and lab since 2005.
Thank you for your time.
Alex
I have owned and operated my Optical shoppe in PA for the past 12 years. I am not a licensed optician. I was “grandfathered” into the business 22 years ago (around age 15) from my grandfather who started our family business (late 70’s) and who has worked in the industry since the early 1940’s. We do everything from sales, adjustments to a finishing lab. I’ve been considering a move to SC in the near future. Would I still need to take the SC exams to become a licensed optician or would any of my current qualifications be enough?
Kristen,
In unique situations like yours, we generally recommend contacting the Board directly to find out if they are willing to consider your previous experience in the industry when issuing a license. Their contact information can be found above this comment section.
There are no accredited optician schools here in South Carolina. Penn Foster has an online program Optical Diploma. Is that accredited?
Gabrielle,
While Penn Foster does have general accreditation through the Distance Education Accrediting Commission (DEAC) which is recognized by the U.S. Department of Education (USDE) and the Council for Higher Education Accreditation (CHEA), their optician program is not accredited by the Commission on Opticianry Accreditation (COA). The purpose of their program is to prepare students for the National Opticianry Competency Examination (NOCE), which is administered by the American Board of Opticianry (ABO) and the Contact Lens Registry Examination (CLRE) which is administered by the National Contact Lens Examiners (NCLE). We would recommend contacting the Board in South Carolina to learn more about their approved forms of education.
I have been working as an optical lab technician for the last 9 years in Indiana. I have been in the optical field since 1990 and held an ABO in Kentucky when I lived there. I did not renew my ABO because Indiana is not a licensed state. My fiance and I are planning to move to the Charleston area within the next two years. If I wish to work as an optical lab technician in South Carolina, what are the requirements that I would have to meet? Thank you for your response, Patricia M. Bullock.
Patricia,
If you plan to dispense eye wear in South Carolina then you will be required to sit for their practical examination and become licensed by the state. Individuals who have worked as an optician for two years in a non-licensing state are able to qualify for the exam. You will also be required to have current ABO Certification. If you are planning to work in a lab and will not be dispensing eyeglasses or contact lenses, then these licensing and examination requirements may not be applicable. We highly recommend contacting the South Carolina Board of Examiners in Opticianry to verify their expectations. You can also learn more about working in a lab on our optical technician page.
Are there any two-year schools of opticianry in South Carolina?
Haley,
As far as we know there are no accredited optician degree programs in South Carolina. You can review a list of schools across the country by clicking here.
I am currently a licensed optician in the state of New Jersey. What requirements do I need complete in order to obtain my South Carolina license? Thank You. Robert Szefinski.
Robert,
South Carolina does not share reciprocity with any other state in regards to licensure in Opticianry. Those who wish to become licensed are generally expected to complete either a degree program or an apprenticeship and pass the state’s Practical Examination that is administered each year in Columbia, South Carolina. Required forms can be found here. Those who hold a license in another state may not be required to comply with the degree or apprenticeship requirement.