How to Become an Optician in Wyoming

Those wanting to work as opticians have many job opportunities in a state like Wyoming.

But, first, you would need to check out the steps you need to take to get a license and start practicing.

Optician Job Description and Duties in Wyoming

As an optician in Wyoming, you will provide help to your clients in choosing the right eyewear.

Remember that you cannot offer prescriptions for glasses.

The job tasks you will complete most often 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 Wyoming

A license is necessary for opticians in Wyoming.

Additionally, there are benefits to applying for certification, like a better salary.

You will first have to take some steps to get your new optician license.

Candidates have to take the National Board of Examiners in Optometry (NBEO) exam.

You may also have to pass is the National Contact Lens Examiner’s (NCLE).

In Wyoming, optician licenses are issued by the Wyoming Optometry Board.

Candidates will have to have these when applying for a job:

• A high school diploma or GED
• Reliability
• Good interpersonal skills
• A clean criminal record
• A license

Optician Education in Wyoming

You can easily attend a training program for opticians in a post-secondary school.

Wyoming has just one school for those who want to become opticians.

Casper College offers a pre-optometry program that awards an Associates’ degree.

This takes about 2 years to complete.

You might want more options, and in this case, you can consider schools from other states.

You’ll have to pay attention to the school’s accreditation though.

Schools may have their own set of requirements for future students.

To join such a program, you need to submit:

• 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

The optician programs can last for only 7 months, but they can also be longer.

If you opt for a higher degree, you will have to attend a program that lasts for 3 to 4 years.

A higher degree will also help you find a better job after getting your license.

Usually, you attend a mix of theory and practice classes.

Some of these classes are:

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

Optician Certification in Wyoming

To issue a license, the Wyoming Board of Examiners in Optometry will ask for the following:

• Completion of a 4-year optometry educational program
• Passing the National Board of Examiners in Optometry (NBEO) exam
• Scoring at least 75% on the state exam

Candidates have to pass the National Opticianry Competency Examination (NOCE) through the ABO.

The NOCE features 3 levels:

• Beginner
• Intermediate
• Advanced

For the beginner level, you have to prove you can do the following:

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

You will also have to submit a $200 fee for the exam.

If you opt to take the Contact Lens Registry Examination (CLRE), you can become a lens dispenser.

The exam topics for lens dispensers are below:

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

You also need to meet the following criteria:

• Age over 18
• A high school diploma or GED
• To fill out an application
• To pay some fees
• A clean criminal record

Optician licenses in Wyoming require renewal after 2 years.

This means you will also have to take 40 additional classes of education.

Optician Employment and Salary in Wyoming

An optician license will allow you to easily find a job in facilities like:

• Stores
• Offices
• Optometry practices
• Hospitals
• Clinics

In Wyoming, the salary you will be getting depends on your location.

You can make between $35,600 and $46,400 per year in Cheyenne.

Places like Rock Springs offer a wage of $37,400 to $48,900 per year.

Regional Salary in Wyoming

Additional Information for Opticians in Wyoming

Take a look at the following resources for more career resources:

• American Academy of Optometry
• American Optometric Association
• Council on Higher Education Accreditation (CHEA)
• Council on Optometric Practitioner Education (COPE)
• US Department of Education
• Wyoming Board of Examiners in Optometry
• Wyoming Optometric Association
• Wyoming Vision Center