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Optician
License
License Type
Required
ABO Certification
Required
NCLE Certification
Allowed
Apprenticeship
9 hrs
CE Hours
Varies
Total Initial Fees
Formal Education & Training
VerifiedFormal Education
Not Required
Degree Type
Graduate of 2-year Board-approved opticianry school
Accreditation
Board-approved opticianry program
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.
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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)
State-Specific Exam Required
State practical examination
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.
Apprenticeship Alternative
VerifiedApprenticeship Pathway Available
Duration
3 years (Tennessee Apprenticeship Training Program)
Supervision
Under a licensed dispensing optician, optometrist, or ophthalmologist
Curriculum Requirements
Some states allow aspiring opticians to learn through a structured apprenticeship program (typically 2–3 years) under the supervision of a licensed optician, ophthalmologist, or optometrist, as an alternative to a formal degree program.
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 |
|---|---|
ABO Exam Fee Paid directly to ABO-NCLE | $225 |
NCLE Exam Fee Paid directly to ABO-NCLE | $225 |
Total Initial Fees Approximate total including application, exam, and license fees | Varies |
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Renewal & CE Requirements
VerifiedAnnual (licenses expire and renew yearly)
Renewal Period
9 hrs
CE Hours Required
No
ABO Renewal
CE Topics
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
Tennessee 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.
Moving to another state? Use our Transfer Tool to see what you need →
Compare Tennessee with other states →
See how requirements, costs, and timelines differ across all 50 states.
Tennessee requires applicants to be U.S. citizens, which is unusual among licensing states. The state has specific CE category requirements: 4 hours spectacles, 2-4 hours contact lenses, and 1 hour ethics/jurisprudence.
Tennessee requires state licensure for dispensing opticians.
Must be a U.S. citizen and at least 18 years old.
Must be ABO and NCLE certified.
State practical examination required.
3-year apprenticeship program or 2-year Board-approved school.
Continuing education: 9 hours per year with specific category requirements.
CE breakdown: 4 hours spectacles, 2-4 hours contact lenses, 1 hour ethics/jurisprudence.
There is no interstate compact for opticians.
applicants must be a United States citizen and at least 18 years of age
Optician requirements in nearby states
See how Tennessee compares: Optician License Fees by State — Cheapest to Most Expensive →
Compare optician requirements across all states →
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How does Tennessee compare to other states for optician? See the full comparison →
Calculate the return on investment for your optician license →
Explore requirements for other professional licenses in Tennessee.
Optician Schools in Tennessee
Compare approved training programs, costs, and requirements.
Study guides for the ABO and NCLE certification exams.
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Optician requirements in Tennessee verified against Tennessee Board of Dispensing Opticians, March 2026.
Moving to Tennessee? Use our free Transfer Tool to see what you need →
Already licensed elsewhere? See how to transfer your Optician license to Tennessee →
Transfer your Optician license from Tennessee to: Alabama → | Arkansas → | Georgia → | Kentucky → | Mississippi → | Missouri → | North Carolina → | Virginia →
Tennessee requires ABO certification for opticians. An apprenticeship pathway is available. All licensing is managed through the Tennessee Board of Dispensing Opticians.
Requirements vary by state. Always verify current requirements with your state licensing authority.