Becoming a Florida Licensed Optician

Florida Licensed Dispensing Optician

Florida opticians enjoy the one of the strongest practice acts in the country ensuring that the citizens of Florida recieve the valuable skills of a well trained optician is verifying and dispensing their eyewear.

Eligibility for Florida Licensure (Summary only)

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More Information Available on Board’s Website

To become a licensed optician in Florida you must meet one of these eligibility requirements and provide the appropriate documentation.

Associate Degree in Opticianry – If you have an Associate’s degree in opticianry, you must request that an official transcript be sent from the accredited institution where you received your degree directly to the Board office or it will not be considered official. The transcript must show that the degree was awarded.

More on Florida Opticianry Programs

Apprenticeship – Upon the completion of the three-year Florida apprenticeship program you will need to provide your apprentice (DA) number or a copy of your apprenticeship completion letter along with your completed application

More on Florida Apprenticeship Program

Licensed and has Actively Practiced in Another State, Territory, or Jurisdiction of the United States for: Three (3) of the Last Five (5) Years – The License/Certificate/Registration Verification form must be completed by the state(s) in which you hold or have ever held a license, certificate, or registration. This form must be completed and sent directly to the Board of Opticianry office from the agency which issued the license, certificate, or registration, or it will not be considered official.

OR

Actively Practiced in Another State, Territory, or Jurisdiction of the United States for: Five (5) of the Last Seven (7) Years – If you practiced in a state that does not require a license you will need to provide tax records, business records, affidavits, or other satisfactory documentation showing proof of practice of Opticianry.
Application for Florida licensure

Additional Eligibility Requirements Florida Licensure

Prior to applying to take the Florida Opticianry Licensure Examination you must successfully pass the National Opticianry Competency Examination (ABO Exam) and the Contact Lens Registry Examination (NCLE Exam) through the American Board of Opticianry and National Contact Lens Examiners.

Professional Opticians of Florida offers Review Courses in preparation for the ABO and NCLE exams twice a year. Visit the POF CE Calendar for the next available review course.

More on ABO & NCLE

This page is intended to be a summary only of the requirements for Florida licensure, for complete details go the Board of Opticianry Website