FAQ
An optician is a professional qualified to make and supply eyeglasses and contact lenses for the correction of vision.
An optician is not just a salesperson. An optician is a specialist who has undergone many hours of rigorous training in studying eyes, fitting eyewear, understanding all facets of prescriptions for lenses, and creating actual lenses according to specification.
An optometrist is an eye doctor who can examine, diagnose and treat eyes.
An ophthalmologist is a medical doctor who can perform medical and surgical interventions for eye conditions.
An optician is a professional who is qualified to fit and dispenses eyeglasses, contact lenses and other vision-correcting devices. An optician carries out the prescriptions of an optometrist or an ophthalmologist.
There is more to getting the correct eyewear than price or fashion. You should always seek out an experienced professional optician (i.e., one who is licensed or certified according to the laws of your state).
Opticianry is a proud and long-standing field, and a rewarding career path. In the United States, the requirements for becoming an optician are determined by each individual state’s laws and regulations. You can begin exploring your career options at opticiantraining.org.
In the United States, the requirements for opticianry are determined by each individual state’s laws and regulations. You can find more information about a particular state’s requirements at opticiantraining.org.
Yes. Click the Resources tab located in the main menu. There you will find a listing for the book “Ophthalmic Essentials,” which can be purchased and used as a study guide.
This book condenses information into convenient lists and bullet points of the areas which past test takers have tended to find most problematic. The book also contains several practice tests.
In the United States, the requirements for opticianry are determined by each individual state’s laws and regulations. You can find more information about a particular state’s requirements at opticiantraining.org.
For local opportunities, you should start by contacting the state society of which you are a member. If you are not already a member of your state society, this is yet another great reason to become one today, as state societies always have insider information as to both current and upcoming local CE opportunities.
The OAA website also has a convenient calendar which is updated regularly and which lists both state- and national-level education events and conferences.
Additionally, you will find more CE options under the Resources tab, accessible from the main menu of the OAA website.
For information concerning your CE credits, please visit the ABO/NCLE website.
The OAA offers various membership types to fit your specific criteria, goals and desired level of involvement.
You can find out more about OAA membership and pricing on our membership page, which also includes a link to the OAA membership application if you are ready to join now.
The benefits of OAA membership are real and numerous. Here are just some of the benefits of membership at all levels:
- Membership in the only national association representing opticians
- First access to industry news and product updates
- Enrollment in regular national and regional updates via targeted news blasts
- Access to national and regional event schedules
- Early access to registration and applicable discounts for the annual OAA Leadership Conference
- Opportunities to go beyond local to national involvement within the industry
- "Individual Contractor Benefits Program" via My Financial Coach at exclusive OAA group rates
- Discount on Local Eye Site employment postings
- Discount on the ABO/NCLE Certification Review Book
- Discount on Continuing Education credits from Quantum Optical
- Access to Honored Fellow status, including voting and board position opportunities
In addition, your membership helps fund initiatives such as these:
- Legislative advice and assistance to states in need (which, in turn, protects the industry nationwide)
- National professional branding and marketing efforts (e.g., billboards, social videos, apparel, promotional items, etc.) aimed at educating consumers about opticians, what they do and why they are essential
- Support for local and national outreach to underserved populations via Vision of Hope
- Helping establish new state associations
- Leadership training focused on preparing opticians to take the reins and assuring a strong future for the field. • Spearheading diversity and inclusion efforts aimed at assuring an equitable profession
- Creating opportunities for opticianry students and apprentices, which keeps the field of opticianry alive and vibrant
- Support for the National Optician Initiative, which introduces new education opportunities nationally
- Assuring national representation for opticians, both inside and outside of the industry
Any individual or company that supports and agrees with the mission of the OAA is eligible for membership. You do not have to be an optician or an optical related company to join as an individual or corporate sponsor.
The OAA offers various membership types to fit your specific criteria, goals and desired level of involvement.
You can find out more about OAA membership and pricing on our membership page, which also includes a link to the OAA membership application if you are ready to join now.
Our network of member states is always growing, and we are excited to welcome new member states.
Please contact us, and an OAA representative will respond shortly to step you through the process of applying for state membership.
The OAA continues to strive toward the goal of being the central hub for a state society in every US state and territory. We're excited that you're interested in helping your state start a society. It won't be easy, but we're here to help you meet the challenge.
Please contact us, and an OAA representative will respond shortly to help you start exploring first steps in forming an opticians society in your area.
Yes. As a retired optician, your knowledge, experience and expertise are invaluable assets. Because of this, we are happy to offer a special membership category for retired individuals. You will receive full membership benefits at a discount of nearly 60% off regular individual membership pricing.
Follow the prompts on our Membership Selection page and choose "Retiree" when asked.
There is no need to wait. You can join right now.
As a student or apprentice of opticianry, you are essential to the industry. You help keep the field of opticianry flexible, forward-focused, innovative and vibrant. Because of this, we are happy to offer a special membership category students and apprentices. You will receive full membership benefits at a discount of over 60% off regular individual membership pricing.
Follow the prompts on our Membership Selection page and answer YES when asked "Are you an optician's apprentice or currently enrolled opticianry student?"
Yes. You do not have to be employed or live in the United States to be a member of OAA. We have international members who choose to become members for many reasons, such as future plans to emigrate to the United States as an optician or support of our international efforts for promotion of eye health and wellbeing.
Apply here and choose "Individual Membership" on the second page of the membership application.
You are invited to become an Honored Fellow of the OAA if at least one of the following is true:
- You are a current member of an OAA-member state society.
- You are an individual member of the OAA who has passed either the ABO exam or the NCLE exam (or an approved equivalency exam).
In addition to enjoying all of the many benefits that come with standard OAA membership, Honored Fellows set themselves apart with regard to commitment, status and additional opportunities:
- HFOAA members are eligible to vote during the annual OAA Membership Meeting, influencing the direction of the organization and, by extension, the industry at large.
- Only HFOAA members are eligible to seek office on the OAA Board of Directors and the Vision of HopeFoundation’s Board of Directors.
- HFOAA members are eligible to apply for the exclusive OAA Member Credit Card for optical businesses, which includes many additional benefits including the opportunity to have your annual HFOAA membership dues waived.
- HFOAA members have exclusive permission to use the designation 'HFOAA' following your name (e.g.: 'John Smith, HFOAA').
- HFOAA members receive a certificate for public display, stating your credential as an Honored Fellow.
- HFOAA members receive an official store window decal indicating that an OAA Honored Fellow works in the dispensary or lab
Ready to start your HFOAA membership? Complete the membership application here.
Membership in the Opticians Guild of America (OGA) an elite group exclusive to owners or employees of independent optical shops.
To qualify, prospective members must have current ABO basic certification, have five years of industry experience (three years with an associates degree), be licensed in a licensed state, and hold NCLE certification for contact lens fitters.
OGA/Guild members receive all of the many benefits that come with standard OAA membership. OGA/Guild members also receive all benefits, privileges, titles and status exclusively assigned to HFOAA members.
In addition, OGA/Guild members are entitled to a further suite of exclusive benefits:
- Eligibility to vote during the annual OAA Membership Meeting, influencing the direction of the organization and, by extension, the industry at large
- Eligibility to seek office on the OAA Board of Directors and the Vision of Hope Foundation’s Board of Directors
- Eligibility to apply for the exclusive OAA Member Credit Card for optical businesses, which includes many additional benefits.
- Free quarterly forums dedicated to business best practices
- First looks and insider information regarding the newest product and services
- Support and facilitated business forums throughout the year
- Special edition newsletter exclusive to Guild members
- Preference regarding internal referrals to Guild businesses
- A certificate for public display, stating your credential as an OGA business.
- An official store window decal indicating that the business is owned/operated by an OGA member
Ready to start your Opticians Guild of America membership? Complete the membership application here.
We always welcome new corporate members (also called "corporate sponsors" and "partners" throughout our site and in other communications).
Please contact us, and an OAA representative will be in touch shortly to discuss the many benefits available to our corporate sponsors, and to help you decide which tier of sponsorship is right for you.
The Vision of Hope Foundation is the official charitable arm of the OAA. VOH was formed to promote opticianry education, to develop future opticianry leaders and to carry out vision-related outreach at the local, national and international level.
In addition to receiving support directly from the OAA, The Vision of Hope Foundation welcomes both monetary and physical support from companies and individuals.
The Vision of Hope Foundation spearheads various ongoing opportunities for helping underserved populations experience increased eye health and the joy of better vision. Grants are available by application through the Vision of Hope website.
The OAA itself does not offer direct health insurance benefits.
However, we are pleased to have secured a partnership with My Financial Coach, through which an “Individual Contractor Benefits Program” is now available at exclusive OAA group rates. This program offers benefits and is available to OAA members, small businesses and independent contractors.
It is important to note that My Financial Coach is a separate entity from the Opticians Association of America, and not a subsidiary. As such, all inquiries regarding packages, contracts, coverage, claims, rates, etc. should be addressed directly with My Financial Coach and not with the OAA or its officers.
Please contact us, and an OAA representative will be in touch shortly to discuss your question.
