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How to become a licensed Optician in California. Data verified 2026-03-21. Source: LicenseMap (getlicensemap.com).
Optician
Registration
License Type
Required
ABO Certification
Required
NCLE Certification
Not Allowed
Apprenticeship
0 hrs
CE Hours
$575
Total Initial Fees
Formal Education & Training
VerifiedFormal Education
Not Required
Degree Type
No specific degree required — must pass ABO/NCLE exams
Accreditation
N/A
Minimum Education
High school diploma or equivalent
Accepted Alternatives
Some states require a formal opticianry education (associate’s degree from a COA-accredited program), while others allow apprenticeship training as an alternative pathway to licensure.
ABO & NCLE Certifications
VerifiedRequired
ABO Certification (Eyeglasses)
Required
NCLE Certification (Contact Lenses)
ABO Details
Must pass the ABO National Opticianry Competency Examination (NOCE)
NCLE Details
Must pass the NCLE Contact Lens Registry Examination (CLRE)
No State-Specific Exam
The ABO (American Board of Opticianry) certifies opticians for eyeglass dispensing. The NCLE (National Contact Lens Examiners) certifies opticians for contact lens fitting. Some states require one or both certifications for licensure.
Optician Practice Scope
VerifiedPermitted
Eyeglass Dispensing
Permitted
Contact Lens Fitting
Additional Certification Required for Contact Lenses
Permitted Activities
Restricted Activities
Opticians dispense and fit eyeglasses and, in some states, contact lenses based on prescriptions from ophthalmologists or optometrists. Opticians do not diagnose eye conditions or prescribe corrective lenses.
| Fee | Amount |
|---|---|
Application Fee | $150 |
ABO Exam Fee Paid directly to ABO-NCLE | $225 |
NCLE Exam Fee Paid directly to ABO-NCLE | $225 |
License Fee | $200 |
Renewal Fee | $200 |
Total Initial Fees Approximate total including application, exam, and license fees | $575 |
Renewal & CE Requirements
Verified2 years
Renewal Period
0 hrs
CE Hours Required
No
ABO Renewal
Renewal Fee
$200
Regulatory Board
Optician licenses must be renewed on schedule. Most states require continuing education covering opticianry practice, lens technology, and professional standards. Some states also require maintaining ABO/NCLE certification.
Out-of-State Reciprocity
VerifiedAccepts Out-of-State Credentials
Endorsement Available
Yes
Reciprocity Type
Endorsement
Transfer Details
California accepts endorsement applications from opticians licensed in other states with equivalent requirements.
Additional Requirements for Transfer
Optician license reciprocity varies significantly between states. Some states accept ABO/NCLE certification as a basis for endorsement, while others require a full application and state-specific exams.
California regulates opticians through the Board of Optometry rather than a standalone opticianry board. The state registers individual dispensers (SLD/CLD) and separately registers optical businesses (RDO). No continuing education is required for state registration renewal, and no state exam is needed beyond ABO/NCLE. Uniquely, California licenses the business rather than the individual optician.
California registers individual spectacle lens dispensers (SLD) and contact lens dispensers (CLD) rather than licensing opticians per se.
California also registers Registered Dispensing Optician (RDO) businesses — the business must be registered to fill prescriptions.
ABO exam required for SLD registration; NCLE exam required for CLD registration.
No continuing education required for SLD/CLD renewal.
No state practical exam required — only ABO/NCLE national exams.
Application processing takes 4-6 weeks.
There is no interstate compact for opticians.
Explore requirements for other professional licenses in California.
How this state compares to 50 others for this profession
Timeline
#1 of 51
Salary
#6 of 51
Cost
#8 of 51
Processing
#1 of 51
Based on May 2024 Bureau of Labor Statistics OEWS data for Opticians, Dispensing (SOC 29-2081)
Entry Level
$46,690
25th percentile
Median
$57,770
+24% vs. national avg ($46,560)Experienced
$69,880
75th percentile
Wage Distribution (Annual)
8,180 employed in this state
Source: BLS OEWS – Opticians, Dispensing (May 2024)
National employment projections for 2024-2034
Projected Growth
+6.9%
Average GrowthNew Jobs
+6,000
over 10 years
Annual Openings
9,300
per year (avg.)
86,000 currently employed nationwide (2024)
Source: BLS Employment Projections 2024-2034 (September 2025)
Vision Care Career Ladder+137% salary growth potential
You are here
Optician
$57,770
Opticianry program + ABO/NCLE certification
You are here
Optician
Opticianry program + ABO/NCLE certification
$57,770
OD degree (4 years) + NBEO exams
$137,070
Salary data from BLS OEWS May 2024 for this state. Career paths represent common advancement routes — actual progression may vary. Bureau of Labor Statistics — Occupational Outlook Handbook
Government fees and exam costs to obtain your initial license
Note: These are government licensing fees only. Education/training program costs (tuition, books, etc.) are not included as they vary widely by institution.
Estimated total: 4–12 weeks
Timeline estimated from licensing requirements on this page.
Source: California State Board of Optometry — Optician Program — Licensing Requirements
2–6 weeks
Estimated processing time
Source: California State Board of Optometry — Optician Program — Licensing Requirements
Study guides for the ABO and NCLE certification exams.
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California requires ABO certification for opticians. A formal education program is required. All licensing is managed through the California State Board of Optometry — Optician Program.
Requirements vary by state. Always verify current requirements with your state licensing authority.