Optician


Click on the appropriate tab below to see the Initial Licensing Requirements, Process, Fees, Statutes and Administrative Rules for an Optician.

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Requirements

To be licensed as an Optician in Florida, you must apply for either licensure by examination or endorsement. Below are the requirements for each licensure pathway.

Licensure by Examination Requirements

  1. Complete and submit the “Optician Application for Examination” form and the required fees.

Exam eligibility will be approved if the applicant meets all the following criteria:

  1. Is not younger than 18 years of age;
  2. Is a graduate of an accredited high school or possesses a certificate of equivalency of a high school education;
  3. Successfully passed the National Opticianry Competency Examination within three years of application or has current ABO certification;
  4. Successfully passed the Contact Lens Registry Examination within three years of application or has current NCLE certification; and
  5. Has completed one of the following:
    1. Received an associate degree, or equivalent, in opticianry from an accredited school; or
    2. Has registered as an apprentice with the department and completed 6,240 hours of training under their registered sponsor(s). These requirements must be met within 5 years after the date of registration. Refer to Rule 64B12-16.003, F.A.C for the training subject areas.
  2. Following receipt of a passing score on the opticianry licensure examination, complete and submit the “Optician Initial Licensure Form” and fee.
  3. Provide a copy of the certificate documenting completion of a two-hour live technical practice continuing education (CE) course on fitting and adjusting provided by a board approved provider.

For approved provider course information, visit CE Broker.

Examination Requirements:

The Florida Opticianry Licensure Examination Requirements consists of three parts:

  • Part 1. National Opticianry Competency Examination (NOCE) by the American Board of Opticianry (ABO)
  • Part 2. Contact Lens Registry Examination by the National Contact Lens Examiners (NCLE)
  • Part 3. The National Practical Examination:
  • American Board of Opticianry Practical and National Contact Lens Examiners Practical by the American Board of Opticianry (ABO).Contact at abo-ncle.org or (703) 719-5800

NOTE: Prior to applying to take a national practical examination, you must successfully pass the National Opticianry Competency Examination (NOCE) and the Contact Lens Registry Examination (NCLE) through the American Board of Opticianry and National Contact Lens Examiners. Proof of successful completion of these two parts are required prior to taking a national practical examination.

Process

Applying for the Opticianry Licensure Examination

  1. You must first submit an application for the licensure examination
  2. Applicant must submit a copy of their high school diploma or equivalency certificate
  3. Applicant must submit proof of receiving a passing score on the National Opticianry Competency Examination within three years of application or have current ABO certification
  4. Applicant must submit proof of receiving a passing score on the Contact Lens Registry Examination within three years of application or have current NCLE certification
  5. One of the following must be submitted:
    1. If applicant received an associate degree in opticianry, official transcripts must be submitted directly from the school to the board office
    2. If applicant completed the apprenticeship training program, a copy of the completion letter must be submitted directly to the board office
    3. If applicant was licensed in another state for at least 3 of the last 5 years, licensure verification must be submitted from the other state’s licensing agency
    4. If applicant practiced opticianry for 5 of the last 7 years in an unlicensed state, copies of tax records, business records, affidavits, etc. must be submitted to the board office

If you have met the requirements for the examination, you will receive information on how to register to sit for the examination.  If you have not met the requirements for the examination, you will be advised of your deficiencies and rights.

The following documents are required prior to licensure:

  • Copy of certificate documenting completion of a two-hour live technical practice continuing education course on fitting and adjusting by a board approved provider

Payment of the initial licensure fee within one (1) year of notification of successful passage of the examination for Florida licensure

Fees

Make checks or money orders payable to the “Department of Health.”

IF LICENSED IN THE FIRST YEAR OF THE BIENNIUM.
Initial Licensure Fee$125.00
Application Fee (Nonrefundable)$100.00
Unlicensed Activity Fee$5.00
Total$230.00
IF LICENSED IN THE SECOND YEAR OF THE BIENNIUM BETWEEN JANUARY 1 AND JULY 31, YOUR LICENSE WILL EXPIRE AS OF DECEMBER 31 OF THE CURRENT BIENNIUM, AND LICENSURE WILL REQUIRE RENEWAL.
Initial Licensure Fee$62.50
Application Fee (Nonrefundable)$100.00
Unlicensed Activity Fee$5.00
Total$167.50
IF LICENSED IN THE SECOND YEAR OF THE BIENNIUM BETWEEN AUGUST 1 AND DECEMBER 31, YOUR LICENSE WILL EXPIRE AS OF DECEMBER 31 OF THE NEXT FULL BIENNIUM.
Initial Licensure Fee$125.00
Application Fee (Nonrefundable)$100.00
Unlicensed Activity Fee$5.00
Total$230.00

NOTE — Board Certification Application is $50.00

Statutes & Rules

Click on Chapter or Section Number to View

Florida Statutes

Chapter 484, Part 1: Preparing and Dispensing of Eyeglasses and Other Optical Devices
Chapter 456: Health Professions and Occupations: General Provisions
Chapter 120: Administrative Procedure Act
Chapter 119: Public Records
Chapter 408: Health Care Administration
Chapter 112: Public Officers and Employees: General Provisions

Florida Administrative Code (F.A.C.)

Rules: Chapter 64B12: Board of Opticianry
Rules: Chapter 64B29: Optical Establishments