If you are considering a job as an optician in Wisconsin, you will need some info on this.
This article has been compiled to help you with info on training and licensing.
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Optician Job Description and Duties in Wisconsin
In Wisconsin, an optician offers eye-wear based on the clients’ preferences and needs.
You will not be allowed to write prescriptions for glasses.
The most common job tasks you will have include:
- 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 Wisconsin
A license is required for opticians in Wisconsin.
In addition, there are several benefits to applying for a license, like an increased salary.
To get a certification, there are several steps you have to take.
The first is to pass the National Board of Examiners in Optometry (NBEO) exam.
Another test to take is the National Contact Lens Examiner’s (NCLE).
In Wisconsin, optician licenses are issued by the Wisconsin Optometry Board.
You will also need to show:
- A high school diploma or GED
- Reliability
- Good interpersonal skills
- A clean criminal record
- A license
Optician Education in Wisconsin
Many candidates train by joining a training program for opticians.
The table below shows the schools in Wisconsin that offer optician training programs.
Top 2 Schools in Wisconsin
| School Name | Address |
|---|---|
| Madison Area Technical College | 1701 Wright St, Madison, WI 53704 |
| Milwaukee Area Technical College | 700 W State St, Milwaukee, WI 53233 |
You can earn an optometric technician diploma from the Madison Area Technical College.
This program can be completed in about a year.
The program at the Milwaukee Area Technical College is for optician and vision care studies.
This program has 27 credits.
For more educational programs you can have a look at the schools found in other states.
Online training can also be accepted, under certain conditions.
To enroll in a program, you need to provide:
- 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
Keep in mind that the school you may want to enroll in could have its own requirements.
If you are wondering how long a program lasts, you should know it depends.
If you join a diploma program, you can complete it in about 7 months.
But, if you enroll in a graduate program, you will only finish it after about 4 years.
However, a longer program will give you better credentials for a future job.
The training programs feature theory as well as hours of practice.
Some of the classes you will attend include:
- Introduction to Optometry
- Ocular Anatomy
- Systems 1: Neuroscience
- Ocular Microbiology
- Ophthalmic Imaging
- Public Health Optometry
- Glaucoma
- Physics
Optician Certification in Wisconsin
To receive an optician license in Wisconsin, you need:
- To graduate from an accredited optometric college
- To pass the NBEO exam
- To pass the Wisconsin law exam
You can re-take the law exam until you can pass it if you fail the first time around.
After you get your diploma or degree, you will take the National Opticianry Competency Examination (NOCE) offered by the ABO.
The NOCE has 3 levels:
- Beginner
- Intermediate
- Advanced
These are the subjects for the NOCE exam:
- Reading prescriptions,
- Fitting and dispensing spectacles
- Using standard ophthalmic equipment
The exam itself costs $200, which is usually covered by the employer.
If you choose to take the Contact Lens Registry Examination (CLRE), you will be able to become a lens dispenser.
The test topics for lens dispensers are:
- Pre-fitting for lenses,
- Diagnostic fitting,
- Dispensing of lenses,
- Patient education,
- Delivery
- Follow-up
Optician licenses in Wisconsin expire after 2 years.
After this period, you will have to renew your license.
To get it renewed, you will have to take 30 extra classes.
Optician Employment and Salary in Wisconsin
After you have a license, you will be able to find a job in:
- Stores
- Offices
- Optometry practices
- Hospitals
- Clinics
In Wisconsin, the optician salaries depend on the region where you live.
For example, Milwaukee offers salaries ranging from $37,000 and $48,000 per year.
In Madison, you will earn between $36,600 and $47,800 per year while working as an optician.
Annual Salary Range:Average Salary of Opticians in Wisconsin
| City Name | Salary |
|---|---|
| Milwaukee | $47,535 |
| Madison | $47,061 |
| Green Bay | $46,075 |
| Kenosha | $47,184 |
| Racine | $47,184 |
| Appleton | $46,085 |
| Waukesha | $47,355 |
| Eau Claire | $44,781 |
| Oshkosh | $45,787 |
| Janesville | $46,870 |
Regional Salary in Wisconsin
| Region | Employed | Avg. Annual Salary | Avg. Hourly Pay | Top 10% Annual Salary | Bottom 10% Annual Salary |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Appleton, WI | 60 | $41,730 | $20.06 | $57,520 | $34,040 |
| Eau Claire, WI | 50 | $42,320 | $20.35 | $56,730 | $31,510 |
| Green Bay, WI | 90 | $41,060 | $19.74 | $54,220 | $33,150 |
| Janesville-Beloit, WI | 30 | $40,560 | $19.5 | $48,870 | $33,450 |
| La Crosse-Onalaska, WI-MN | 50 | $43,560 | $20.94 | $56,620 | $34,670 |
| Madison, WI | 150 | $45,670 | $21.96 | $59,480 | $35,800 |
| Milwaukee-Waukesha-West Allis, WI | 360 | $43,530 | $20.93 | $59,430 | $34,730 |
| Oshkosh-Neenah, WI | 50 | $42,870 | $20.61 | $54,130 | $35,930 |
| Racine, WI | 50 | $38,890 | $18.7 | $49,470 | $32,140 |
| Wausau, WI | 40 | $42,230 | $20.3 | $55,280 | $34,180 |
* Employment conditions in your area may vary.
Additional Information for Opticians in Wisconsin
Have a look below for additional job resources for opticians:
- American Academy of Optometry
- American Optometric Association
- Council on Optometric Practitioner Education (COPE)
- National Board of Examiners in Optometry (NBEO)
- Wisconsin Optometric Association
- Wisconsin Optometry Board
