How to Become an Optician in Oklahoma

Opticians are specially trained personnel that help others have a 20/20 vision.

If you’re interested in such a career, then read our guide on how to become an optician in Oklahoma!

Optician Job Description and Duties in Oklahoma

Generally speaking, opticians read the prescriptions from physicians and they aid customers to choose the right glasses or contact lenses.

They’d have to keep in mind the person’s preferences as well as the budget.

Opticians cannot inspect the eyes nor provide prescriptions.

This is a list of the most common duties you’ll have as an optician, though additional ones could be assigned to you, based on the job title:

• 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 Oklahoma

Oklahoma is one of the states where opticians need to carry a license to profess.

For this, it’s mandatory for them to graduate from an accredited program and then pass the NBEO test.

On top of this, you should know that a person with the following characteristics will be a better optician:

• Good interpersonal skills
• Reliable
• Clean criminal record
• Detail-oriented

Optician Education in Oklahoma

Since you need some formal education to become an optician, let’s have a look at the schools that offer optician courses in Oklahoma.

If you’re interested in the Tulsa Technology Center, know that it only offers a program that issues a certificate.

You’ll need to attend another college before enrolling in Northeastern State University, though.

This is because this institution has an optometry Doctorate degree program.

You can find other colleges in many other states.

Regardless of your choice, be prepared to be asked for:

• 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

These are just some of the classes in an optometry program:

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

Optician Certification in Oklahoma

Now that you’re an undergraduate, you can apply for your optician license in Oklahoma.

For this, you’ll need several things:

• Pass Sections 1, 2, and 3 of the NBEO exam
• Pass the Injections Skill test
• Pass the TMOD exam
• Complete the Laser Therapy for the Anterior Segment Course

This license has to be renewed every year.

You’ll have to attend 18 hours of continuing education annually, as follows:

• At least 5 therapeutic hours
• 1 hour of judicious prescribing
• A maximum of 3 hours in practice management
• 3 hours can be completed either online or through correspondence

Individuals can also pass the National Opticianry Competency Examination (NOCE) organized by the ABO.

It has 3 difficulty levels:

• Beginner
• Intermediate
• Advanced

Its subjects are:

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

This exam costs $200 and it focuses on glasses.

To work with contact lenses you must pass the Contact Lens Registry Examination (CLRE) offered by the National Contact Lens Examiners.

This exam also costs $200 and has the same 3 levels of difficulty.

Its questions cover:

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

You may also be asked for some other documents, like:

• Age over 18
• A high school diploma or GED
• To fill out an application
• To pay some fees
• A clean criminal record

The certifications for the ABO-NCLE have to be renewed every 3 years.

This also requires you to attend some hours of continuing education.

Optician Employment and Salary in Oklahoma

Since there are many people with poor eyesight, the demand for opticians will always be steady, even in this state.

Most commonly, opticians work in this type of places:

• Stores
• Offices
• Optometry practices
• Hospitals
• Clinics

In Oklahoma, salaries average between $38,000 and $63,000 per year.

Regional Salary in Oklahoma

Additional Information for Opticians in Oklahoma

If you feel you need more help, especially with finding more classes or a job, use these resources:

• American Board of Opticianry (ABO) and National Contact Lens Examiners (NCLE)
• National Examining Board of Ocularists (NEBO)
• Oklahoma Association of Optometric Physicians
• Oklahoma State Board of Examiners in Optometry
• The Oklahoma Board of Examiners in Optometry