{"id":5084,"date":"2018-10-29T16:53:55","date_gmt":"2018-10-29T20:53:55","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.goodwin.edu\/enews\/?p=5084"},"modified":"2025-01-06T12:13:45","modified_gmt":"2025-01-06T17:13:45","slug":"optician-education-requirements","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.goodwin.edu\/enews\/optician-education-requirements\/","title":{"rendered":"Optician Education Requirements in Connecticut"},"content":{"rendered":"

If you\u2019ve got your *eye* on a great career that involves helping others see clearly, you may be considering becoming an optician<\/a>. Within the in-demand healthcare field, optician careers are expected to grow 15 percent<\/strong> over the next several years \u2013 much faster than the average occupation \u2013 according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics<\/a>. Connecticut opticians are predicted to see even greater career growth.<\/p>\n

If you are considering getting an optician education, rest assured this is not the type of healthcare role that requires years and years of medical school. In fact, the licensing and education requirements may be more straightforward than you think. Let\u2019s break down what it takes to become an optician today.<\/p>\n

The education requirements for opticians can vary by state. These can also come down to employee preference. In some parts of the country, opticians are only required to hold a high school diploma or equivalent, and learn the tricks of the trade through on-the-job training. A few states \u2013including\u00a0Connecticut<\/a> \u2013 have specific laws regarding optician education and licensing requirements. These guidelines are determined by the state\u2019s Department of Health.<\/p>\n

In order for opticians to practice in Connecticut, they are required to obtain an associate degree in Ophthalmic Dispensing or related field (from a program approved specifically by the Connecticut Board of Examiners for Opticians, such as Goodwin College), or to have completed four years and<\/em><\/strong> 8,000 hours of training in an apprentice role. Typically, an associate degree is the standard path for aspiring opticians; a degree from an optician training program<\/a> that also offers hands-on experience for students is often seen as higher value by employers.<\/p>\n

The path to becoming an optician in Connecticut does not end with an associate degree. Once you\u2019ve mastered the optician education requirements, you\u00a0must take and pass a set of exams \u2013 the American Board of Opticians (ABO) exam and the National Contact Lens Examination (NCLE) will earn you certification at the national level, while successful completion of the Connecticut State Board practical exam will earn you the title of a licensed Optician in Connecticut. In order for students to be eligible to take the state exam and become licensed in Connecticut, they must first pass the ABO and the NCLE.<\/p>\n

Full Optician certification requirements in Connecticut include:<\/p>\n