Optician Resources

Membership

To become a member of the Opticians Association of Massachusetts, find information here.

ABO-NCLE

The American Board of Opticianry & National Contact Lens Examiners (ABO-NCLE) is the largest and most prestigious Opticians’ certification organization in the world, recognizing individuals whose Opticianry skills and knowledge meet predetermined standards of excellence. More than 96,000 certifications have been awarded since 1976, and more than 40,000 certifications are currently in force.
  • ABO, the American Board of Opticianry, certifies Opticians – those who dispense and work with spectacles (eyeglasses and eyewear).
  • NCLE, the National Contact Lens Examiners, certifies those Ophthalmic Dispensers who fit and work with contact lenses.
Today, all Massachusetts licensed opticians are required to pass the ABO and NCLE Basic certification, as well as the ABO Practical test.
As an ABO and/or NCLE Board Certified Optician and/or Contact Lens Technician, you must meet specified requirements in order to maintain and renew your certification every 3 years. The purpose of certification renewal is to provide evidence that you have continued to expand your professional knowledge to demonstrate evidence of continual competence in your certification specialty. It also allows you to continue to use your ABO-NCLE credentials.

In order to keep your ABO-NCLE certification current, please follow these instructions found here.

United Opticians Association

In essence, the UOA is the collective voice of the opticianry industry. The ongoing mission of the UOA is to work with members, partners and other professionals—both inside and outside of our industry—to assure that opticians receive the recognition, respect, opportunity and protection you deserve.

Opticians Association of Massachusetts is a member state of the Opticians Association of America. Therefore any member of OAM, is AUTOMATICALLY a member of the United Opticians Association.

This comes with a large amount of benefits specifically for you! View Benefits.

Renewing Your Massachusetts License

Massachusetts Dispensing Opticians license is renewed every two years on the optician's birthdate. This is done through the Health Professionals License Portal.

Continuing Education Requirements

Beginning June 1, 2006, every licensed dispensing optician shall complete a minimum of 12 contact hours of continuing education activities prior to the end of each licensure period in courses or programs approved by the Board pursuant to 235 CMR 3.05 as a condition for renewal of his or her license.

Of the 12 contact hours of continuing education activities required for license renewal pursuant to 235 CMR 3.03(1), six contact hours shall be in continuing education activities concerning dispensing of eyeglasses or spectacle lenses, and six contact hours shall be in continuing education activities concerning dispensing of contact lenses.

Of the six contact hours devoted to continuing education activities concerning dispensing of eyeglasses or spectacle lenses, one contact hour may be in continuing education activities concerning state and federal laws and regulations which govern the practice of opticianry. Of the six contact hours concerning dispensing of contact lenses, one contact hour may be devoted to cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) training.

More Info on Continuing Education here.

Record Keeping

Each licensed dispensing optician shall maintain a record of all continuing education courses or programs he or she has completed for a period of not less than two consecutive licensure periods, inclusive of the licensure period during which the course or program was completed.

Continuing Education Seminars

The Opticians Association of Massachusetts hosts two educational seminars twice a year, Spring and Fall. Generally, these offer 7 courses at each conference. For more information, check on our events here.