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South Carolina Board of Examiners in Opticianry

  1. Renew My License
  2. Licensure Requirements
  3. Manage my License
  4. Application Status
  5. Board Orders
  6. Licensee Lookup
  7. Document Submission
  8. Continuing Education
  9. Applications and Forms
  10. Military Spouse Licensure

Frequently Asked Questions

Licensure

  1. What are the requirements for a license?

    For an Optician:
    A person is qualified to receive a certificate of licensure if the following requirements are met:

    • Submission of a completed application and payment of licensure fee(s).
    • Graduate from an accredited high school or GED completion.
    • Pass the American Board of Opticianry (ABO) National Opticianry Competency Examination.
    • Pass the ABO Virtual Practical Opticianry Examination.
    • Completion of one (1) of the following:
      • Graduated from a two-year ophthalmic dispensing program accredited by the Commission on Opticianry Accreditation (COA).
      • Hold a current, in good standing, optician's license from another licensing state.
      • Have been employed at least two years as an optician in a state that does not license opticians; document employment.
      • Complete a South Carolina Registered Apprenticeship Program under a S.C. state licensed optician, optometrist or ophthalmologist.

    *Applicants will be made eligible for the ABO Virtual Practical Examination after a completed application is submitted to the Board. Additional information and exam registration information will be sent following the processing of the application.

    For a Contact Lens Dispensing Optician:

    A person is qualified to receive a certificate of licensure if the following requirements are met:

    • Submission of a completed application and payment of licensure fee
    • Pass the National Contact Lens Examiners (NCLE) examination
    • Hold a current, in good standing, SC Opticianry License

  2. Does South Carolina share reciprocity with any other State in regards to licensure in Opticianry?

    South Carolina does not share reciprocity with any other State in regards to licensure in Opticianry.

  3. What States require Opticians to be licensed?

    An updated list of Opticianry Licensing Boards can be found on the ABO/NCLE website.

  4. How much does it cost to get a license?

    The application fee to become a licensed optician is $100.

    The application fee for a contact lens dispensing license is $100.

    The Apprentice application fee to become a licensed optician is $20.

    The Certificate of Licensure fee is $25.

    Applicants may contact the American Board of Opticianry and National Contact Lens Examiners (ABO-NCLE) at 703-719-5800 for the national examination and/or Virtual practical examination fees.

  5. How do I renew my Optician's License and what are the fee requirements?

    Renewal notices are sent at least three (3) months prior to the license expiring to all licensees with instructions on how to renew online. You will be unable to renew your license prior to the renewal notices being mailed.

    • Biennial renewal fees
      • Active Opticians is $200
      • Inactive Optician is $120
      • Active Contact Lens Dispensing is $100
      • Inactive Contact Lens Dispensing is $60.
    • License renewal fees are due by October 1 of odd numbered years. There is a $50.00 late fee if renewed during the month of November.

  6. How do I renew my Apprentice Registrations and what are the fee requirements?

    Renewal notices are sent at least three (3) months prior to the registration expiring to all registered Apprentices with instructions on how to renew online. You will be unable to renew your registration prior to the renewal notice being mailed.

    Annual renewal fees are $50 for an apprentice registration. Registration renewal fees are due by October 1 of EVERY year. There is a $50.00 late fee if renewed during the month of November.

Registered Apprenticeship

  1. How long is the Apprenticeship Program?

    2. The length of the Apprenticeship Program is based on Continuous practice of employment:

      Full time employment (minimum of thirty-two (32) hours per week) - two (2) continuous years of direct supervision.

      Part time employment (minimum of twenty-one (21) hours per week) - three (3) continuous years of direct supervision.

  2. What if I am not able to complete my apprenticeship within the time frame?

    The Board allows a one (1) year extension for the apprenticeship as long as the Apprentice submits the Extension Request form before the designated Completion date. This form can be found on the Board website.

  3. How do I inform the Board of my completion?

    You will need to submit Proof of completing the Formal education program and the Apprenticeship Program Completion Form. This form can be found on the Board website.

  4. Do I need to take any Continuing Education Courses?

    Yes, four (4) hours of continuing education credit is due annually from your issuance date for every registered apprentice.

    Example:

      Issuance Date: 07/07/2023
      Renewal Date: 07/07/2024

  5. Do I need to complete any formal education programs?

    Yes. Formal Education should be done simultaneously with the Apprenticeship.

    Board-Approved Formal Education programs:

    • Career Progression Program: A home study education program for opticians offered through the National Academy of Opticianry (NAO). For information concerning this program contact the NAO at 800-229-4828, or www.nao.org, or email sbonner@nao.org. Other educational materials may also be purchased through the NAO.
    • Penn Foster Career School: This is an accredited school of independent study that offers a training program for opticians. For information contact an enrollment advisor at 800-272-4410 or visit their website at www.pennfoster.edu.
    • Durham Technical College Optical Apprentice Certificate: An internet/classroom-based program offered through Durham Technical College located in Durham, North Carolina. For information concerning this program contact the school at 919-686-3333 or on-line at www.durhamtech.edu.
    • Northern Alberta Institute of Technology Optical Sciences Eyeglasses Diploma: For information visit their website at www.NAIT.ca.
    • Optician Development Program (ODP): Offered by Optical Training Institute, the ODP is an innovative, part-time, self-study course based on modern, motivating learning methods. Delivered through an engaging online platform, the program includes interactive content, 3D animations, and instructional videos, as well as other study aids, support materials and student office hours. For information please visit opticaltraining.com, email contact@opticaltraining.com or call 949-551-5455.

  6. How do I apply for Optician Licensure once I have completed my Apprenticeship?

    Once your apprenticeship has been marked as completed. You will then need to submit an application for Optician licensure. Applications and licensure requirements are listed on the Board website.

    7. * Per Board regulations 96-106(F), apprentices who fail to submit a completed application for licensure in opticianry within three (3) years of the apprenticeship completion date may be required to recommence the apprenticeship program and meet all requirements as stated in 96-106(B).

  7. What If I no longer have the same Sponsor as when I first started my Apprenticeship?

    You will need to notify the Board via email or phone call that your Sponsor has changed. The "Change of Sponsor" form will need to be submitted within Fifteen (15) days of the Board being notified. This form can be found on the Board website.

  8. When do I take the ABO Certification Examination?

    Passage of the ABO National Competency exam is not a requirement of the apprenticeship program. You may take this at any time prior to application for optician licensure.

Examinations

  1. Does South Carolina have a state exam?

    Yes, all applicants are required to pass the practical examination as designated by the Board. The current practical examination designated by the Board is the 'ABO Virtual Practical Examination' provided by ABO-NCLE.

  2. When are state examinations given?

    Once your application for licensure has been approved, you will be emailed instructions on how to register for the ABO Virtual Practical exam and where to find study material.

    The examination is administered by ABO-NCLE.

    For more information on the ABO Virtual practical exam, please visit the ABO website.

Continuing Education

  1. What is the criteria for continuing education for renewal purposes?

    For Opticians: Four (4) hours of continuing education credit is due annually by October 1st from every licensed optician. One (1) hour of the four (4) may be in practice management.

    If the optician holds a contact lens license, an additional one (1) hour is due in contact lens work. This makes a total of five (5) hours due from contact lens dispensing opticians.

    For Apprentices: Four (4) hours of continuing education credit is due annually by October 1st from every registered apprentice.

    Example:

      Issuance Date: 07/07/2023
      Renewal Date: 07/07/2024

    All licensees/apprentices are to report completed CEs into the CE Broker tracking system. To activate your free basic account, please visit https://cebroker.com/sc/account/basic/.

  2. Can CE courses be taken online?

    Online continuing education courses will not be accepted by the Board.

  3. How do I self-report CEs in CE Broker?

    To report CE to CE Broker, you must first activate your free account. To activate, please visit https://cebroker.com/sc/account/basic/ and follow the prompts. A Self-Reporting how-to can be found on the CE Broker Support Center website.

  4. Do I have to pay for a CE Broker Account?

    No, a free basic account is provided for all Board licensees and registered apprentices. Additional information on CE Broker plans can be found at https://cebroker.com/sc/plans. Upgrading your plan is optional and not a requirement of the Board.