Getting Certified to Become an Optician
In this article, we review how employers can lookup Washington (WA) state licenses for staff working as a optician. Employers must ensure that each of these licensed workers are up to date with their licenses and follow the necessary regulations that are put forth by the State of Washington. This can be risky as even a minor violation could result in penalties for the employers or individual workers. Employers also need to be aware of any changes in the regulations brought about by the state board, and should work to keep their workers informed.
Opticians provide vision care services, such as examining eyes, prescribing corrective lenses, and fitting eyeglasses, sunglasses, or contact lenses. To work as an optician, most states require opticians to obtain a professional certification. Certificates issued by the National Contact Lens Examiners (NCLE) and the American Board of Opticianry (ABO) provide the official recognition needed to practice as an optician.
NCLE offers a Contact Lens & Optical Technician Certificate of Proficiency exam for contact lens technicians, which certifies contact lens technicians in a number of fields, such as fitting, manufacturing, and technical aspects of contact lenses. The ABO offers a national certification exam in ophthalmic dispensing and laboratories. Upon successful completion of the exam, the optician is granted an ABO certification.
In addition to passing a recognized certification examination, some states may also require opticians to be licensed in their jurisdictions. Education requirements for licensure vary by state, such as having a high school diploma or equivalent and completing a certain number of formal classroom hours and/or on-the-job apprenticeship hours.
To keep their certification active, opticians must meet continuing education requirements, complete some number of continuing education units each year. The National Academy of Opticianry is an organization that provides education and workshops on eye care and optometric technology, and can be a helpful resource for opticians to maintain their certifications.
Overall, prospective opticians need to become certified according to their state’s requirements, stay current with continuing education requirements, and maintain their certifications in order to practice as an optician.
How to Lookup Licenses & Manage Certification with Software for a Pptician
Opticians play an important role in ensuring accurate vision correction. To perform services professionally with a high level of expertise, opticians must hold and maintain the necessary occupational license. Looking up and managing an occupational license can be simple and straightforward.Start with state licensing board. As optician profession is regulated through state level, it is important to locate the appropriate licensing board website. Searches can often be completed via Google, Bing or other online search engines.
Once the licensing board website has been located, check requirements and fees. Most licensing board websites provide complete details of application fees, renewal fees and required paperwork. Application fees and renewal fees may vary from state to state.
Apply for the license. Download the application and provide facts about the optician. These facts may include name, address, phone number, internet address, social security numbers and any other relevant contact information. Submit the application along with the required fees, proof of identity and any other additional documentation that is required.
In some cases, optician may be asked to take a licensing examination. The examination may cover topics pertinent to optician’s practice, such as lenses, health care and customer service. Prepare for the exam by studying course materials, practice tests and visual exercises.
Feed the application status. Visit the licensing board website and enter the application number. This should provide updates of the licensing application process. If the application has been approved, optician will be granted their occupational license.
Renew the license. Occupational licenses are typically renewed every year or so. Automated emails are often sent out to remind optician about license renewal. Failing to renew a license can result in suspension or cancellation.
To look up and manage an occupational license for optician, locate the appropriate licensing board website, check requirements and fees, apply for the license, prepare for the exam, feed the application status and finally renew the license. Following these steps will help optician maintain a valid occupational license.
