How to Become an Optician in Oregon

There are many work opportunities for opticians in Oregon.

If you want to start a career in this industry, check out this article for more information.

Optician Job Description and Duties in Oregon

Opticians advise their clients on how to choose the right eyewear for their needs.

As an optician, you will not provide prescriptions for glasses.

Some of the tasks you will have to finish every day include the following:

• Preparing eyewear
• Fitting and adjusting eyewear
• Educating customers about eyewear issues and maintenance
• Keeping sales records
• Determining insurance co-pays
• Keeping the inventory
• Interacting with the labs that make lenses

Optician Job Requirements in Oregon

You do not need a license in order to get a job as an optician in Oregon.

But, a license will provide many more job opportunities and a better salary.

Many companies only hire opticians with a license, so you may want to keep that in mind.

First, you have to pass the National Board of Examiners in Optometry (NBEO) exam.

Then, you can also take the National Contact Lens Examiner’s (NCLE) exam.

In Oregon, licenses are issued by the Oregon Board of Optometry.

You will also have to submit proof of the following:

• A high school diploma or GED
• Graduating from a training program or having a formal education
• An associate’s degree diploma is highly appreciated by employers
• Good interpersonal skills

Optician Education in Oregon

The best way to get the training you need is by attending a training program.

You can do so by checking out which schools in your area offer training programs for opticians.

There are some schools in Oregon that provide these programs, such as the ones below.

These schools offer a wide variety of programs to choose from, from a pre-optometry course at Portland State University to a Doctorate degree at the Pacific University.

Depending on the program and school you choose, you’ll have different career options available.

Additionally, you can also look at the courses offered by universities from out of state, including the ones offered online.

Some schools have their own criteria for joining, which include:

• A high school diploma or GED
• Completing specific classes with a minimum grade of C
• 2 letters of recommendation
• OAT scores – not older than 5 years
• Minimum GPA of 2.75

Usually, completing an optician program takes about 7 months.

Here are some of the classes you’ll need to attend one enrolled:

• Introduction to Optometry
• Ocular Anatomy
• Systems 1: Neuroscience
• Ocular Microbiology
• Ophthalmic Imaging
• Public Health Optometry
• Glaucoma
• Physics

Optician Certification in Oregon

Once you get a diploma from your school, you can take the licensing exam.

First, you will have to prove you meet one of the next criteria:

• A license in a reciprocal state
• At least 3 years of experience
• Can be an apprenticeship of 3 years in the past 6 years
• Can be from working as an optician in a state with no licensing requirements
• Graduate from an approved post-secondary optician program with a year of apprenticeship

Candidates have to take the National Opticianry Competency Examination (NOCE) with the ABO.

The examination features 3 different levels of difficulty:

• Beginner
• Intermediate
• Advanced

The easiest level entails:

• Reading prescriptions,
• Fitting and dispensing spectacles
• Using standard ophthalmic equipment

You will also have to submit a $200 processing fee.

If you want to become a lens dispenser, you need to take requires the National Contact Lens Examiners.

This means you also have to take the Contact Lens Registry Examination (CLRE).

Just like in the previous case, you will have to submit a $200 fee.

The exam topics are:

• Pre-fitting for lenses,
• Diagnostic fitting,
• Dispensing of lenses,
• Patient education,
• Delivery
• Follow-up

The paperwork you need to submit includes:

• Age over 18
• A high school diploma or GED
• To fill out an application
• To pay some fees
• A clean criminal record
• Passing the State Practical Examination
• Proof of completed training, education, or at least 3 years of experience

This state requires you to renew your optician license once in 3 years.

Before you can do that, you need to take some additional education credits.

Optician Employment and Salary in Oregon

Becoming an optician is a good career choice as there will always be a steady demand for such personnel.

You can find your first job in many facilities across the state, like:

• Stores
• Offices
• Optometry practices
• Hospitals
• Clinics

The median salary for an optician in this state is $44,000 a year.

But, you can earn up to $54,000 per year if you live in a large city like Salem.

Regional Salary in Oregon

Additional Information for Opticians in Oregon

Do you need more career resources?

If so, remember to check out the following:

• American Board of Optometry and National Contact Lens Examiners
• Central Oregon Eyecare
• Eye Care Physicians and Surgeons
• Opticians Association of Oregon
• Oregon Eye Specialists
• Oregon Foundation for Vision Awareness
• Oregon Optometric Physicians Association