Do you want to start a new career in a field you might like?
In that case, you might consider becoming an optician in Michigan.
Before that, you should know what the requirements are in this state.
Check out our article for info on training and licensing.
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Optician Job Description and Duties in Michigan
Opticians need to provide people with suitable eyewear that fits their needs and style.
If you choose this career, you will have to complete many job duties every day, which include:
- 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
Optician Job Requirements in Michigan
In Michigan, you don’t need a license if you want to be an optician.
However, if you get a license you will also get hired much faster.
The exam for opticians in this state is the American Board of Opticians (ABO) exam.
You could also choose to take the National Contact Lens Examiner’s (NCLE) exam as well.
The documents you need to provide are 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 Michigan
You will need to attend a program if you want to meet the education requirements and get an optician license.
There are some schools in Michigan that provide these programs so you can get a license.
The programs available are listed below.
Top 1 Schools in Michigan
| School Name | Address |
|---|---|
| Michigan College of Optometry | 1124 S State St, Big Rapids, MI 49307 |
Every school has its own joining criteria, and these usually include:
- 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
In Michigan, you can get into both an internship or externship, depending on your needs.
You can join a program that has a duration from 6 months and up to 4 years.
The training programs include classes like the following:
- Introduction to Optometry
- Ocular Anatomy
- Systems 1: Neuroscience
- Ocular Microbiology
- Ophthalmic Imaging
- Public Health Optometry
- Glaucoma
- Physics
Optician Certification in Michigan
Finishing your training program means you will be able to sit for the exam.
The licensing entity in Michigan is The Michigan Board of Optometry.
You will then need to attend the optician exam so that you get your license.
You will have to meet at least one requirement from the 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 have to take the National Opticianry Competency Examination (NOCE) with the ABO.
This certification test has three difficulty levels.
These are below:
- Beginner
- Intermediate
- Advanced
The subjects for the ABO exam at the beginner level include:
- Reading prescriptions,
- Fitting and dispensing spectacles
- Using standard ophthalmic equipment
The exam has an attached fee of $200, that your employer will usually pay.
If you want to dispense contact lenses you need to take another exam, like the National Contact Lens Examiners.
Keep in mind you also need to pass the Contact Lens Registry Examination (CLRE).
This test also costs $200, money which is paid by your employer.
The test topics are:
- Pre-fitting for lenses,
- Diagnostic fitting,
- Dispensing of lenses,
- Patient education,
- Delivery
- Follow-up
The required documents are:
- 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
Your optician license will last for 2 years.
After this period passes, you will need to renew it.
To be able to renew it, you have to attend 40 extra hours of class.
Optician Employment and Salary in Michigan
After getting certified, you can work in:
- Stores
- Offices
- Optometry practices
- Hospitals
- Clinics
You will make about $44,000 a year for being an optician in Michigan.
Annual Salary Range:Average Salary of Opticians in Michigan
| City Name | Salary |
|---|---|
| Detroit | $48,851 |
| Grand Rapids | $46,579 |
| Warren | $48,851 |
| Sterling Heights | $48,697 |
| Ann Arbor | $49,562 |
| Lansing | $46,493 |
| Clinton | $49,331 |
| Flint | $44,770 |
| Dearborn | $48,851 |
| Livonia | $48,697 |
Regional Salary in Michigan
| Region | Employed | Avg. Annual Salary | Avg. Hourly Pay | Top 10% Annual Salary | Bottom 10% Annual Salary |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Ann Arbor, MI | 140 | $41,860 | $20.13 | $53,580 | $31,050 |
| Detroit-Warren-Dearborn, MI | 1,800 | $41,910 | $20.15 | $50,360 | $31,110 |
| Flint, MI | 130 | $38,400 | $18.46 | $45,910 | $30,280 |
| Grand Rapids-Wyoming, MI | 250 | $39,280 | $18.89 | $46,580 | $28,410 |
| Kalamazoo-Portage, MI | 170 | $36,310 | $17.46 | $44,210 | $29,790 |
| Lansing-East Lansing, MI | 230 | $37,590 | $18.07 | $46,350 | $29,270 |
| Muskegon, MI | ** | $34,950 | $16.8 | $37,880 | $29,300 |
| Niles-Benton Harbor, MI | 50 | $37,270 | $17.92 | $45,360 | $29,210 |
| Saginaw, MI | 70 | $36,600 | $17.6 | $44,250 | $29,750 |
* Employment conditions in your area may vary.
Additional Information for Opticians in Michigan
Some resources you might use to find a job or an apprenticeship, include:
- Opticians Association of Michigan
- Michigan Board of Optometry
- Michigan Optometric Association
- American Board of Opticianry & National Contact Lens Examiners (ABO-NCLE)
- American Optometric Association
- Association of Schools and Colleges of Optometry
- Commission on Opticianry Accreditation
- National Optometric Association
