How to Become an Optician in Idaho

Are you interested in becoming an optician in Idaho?

If so, all you need to do is read on to learn more about the training process.

Optician Job Description and Duties in Idaho

Opticians have to make certain that those who need their services get the eye-wear they request.

During your work schedule, you will have to fulfill tasks such as:

• Preparing eyewear
• Fitting and adjusting eyewear
• Educating customers about eyewear issues and maintenance
• Keeping sales records
• Determining insurance co-pays
• Keeping the inventory
• Interacting with the labs that make lenses

Opticians don’t check their clients’ eyes and also do not provide eye-wear prescriptions.

Optician Job Requirements in Idaho

In Idaho, opticians are not required to fulfill specific criteria to get a certification.

But, if you need to get hired fast, you will have to get a license.

Numerous companies want to employ people who passed the American Board of Opticians (ABO) exam.

In some cases, the National Contact Lens Examiner’s (NCLE) exam is asked for, if you plan on working with contact lenses.

When applying to get hired, you have to send in the following:

• A high school diploma or GED
• Graduating from a training program or having a formal education
• An associate’s degree diploma is highly appreciated by employers
• Good interpersonal skills

Optician Education in Idaho

Although Idaho doesn’t have some specific education requirements, some post-secondary schools have optician training programs.

Have a look below to view the schools that offer programs in Idaho.

Before you decide on a school, remember to check the enrollment criteria.

You will have to send in the following:

• A high school diploma or GED
• Completing specific classes with a minimum grade of C
• 2 letters of recommendation
• OAT scores – not older than 5 years
• Minimum GPA of 2.75

Many schools also offer an externship lasting for 120 hours.

Most often, programs for opticians don’t last longer than 7 months.

While you are a student, you will attend several classes including the following:

• Introduction to Optometry
• Ocular Anatomy
• Systems 1: Neuroscience
• Ocular Microbiology
• Ophthalmic Imaging
• Public Health Optometry
• Glaucoma
• Physics

Optician Certification in Idaho

The certification is only offered to people who attended a training program.

The licensing body in Idaho is the State Board of Dispensing Opticians.

The Board provides certifications to those who meet at least one of the requirements found below:

• A license in a reciprocal state
• At least 3 years of experience
• Can be an apprenticeship of 3 years in the past 6 years
• Can be from working as an optician in a state with no licensing requirements
• Graduate from an approved post-secondary optician program with a year of apprenticeship

Furthermore, you will have to take the National Opticianry Competency Examination (NOCE) through the ABO.

This exam has a few different difficulty levels and its focus is on spectacles:

• Beginner
• Intermediate
• Advanced

The subjects for the beginner level are the following:

• Reading prescriptions,
• Fitting and dispensing spectacles
• Using standard ophthalmic equipment

Usually, the hiring company will pay the fee of the exam, which is around $200.

If you want to dispense contact lenses you will need to take an additional exam.

The exam is the National Contact Lens Examiners and the levels of difficulty are identical to the ones for the ABO.

You will also have to pass the Contact Lens Registry Examination (CLRE).

The test costs about $200, however, the fee is generally covered by the employer.

The test covers the subjects below:

• Pre-fitting for lenses,
• Diagnostic fitting,
• Dispensing of lenses,
• Patient education,
• Delivery
• Follow-up

These certification tests are available in English as well as Spanish.

You will need to submit the documents below before sitting for the exams:

• Age over 18
• A high school diploma or GED
• To fill out an application
• To pay some fees
• A clean criminal record
• Passing the State Practical Examination
• Proof of completed training, education, or at least 3 years of experience

Opticians in Idaho need to get their certification renewed after one year.

To apply for renewal, you also have to take 12 additional hours of class.

Optician Employment and Salary in Idaho

As an optician, you can work in a facility such as:

• Stores
• Offices
• Optometry practices
• Hospitals
• Clinics

If you work as an optician in Idaho, you can easily earn from $38,000 and $49,600 a year.

Of course, this depends on your location and experience as well.

Regional Salary in Idaho

Additional Information for Opticians in Idaho

Maybe you need some extra resources, so check out the ones below:

• Accreditation Council on Optometric Education
• Idaho Board of Optometry
• Idaho Optometric Physicians
• National Board of Examiners in Optometry (NBEO)