How to Become an Optician in Montana

Do you want to become an optician in Montana?

In such a case, all you have to do is read the article we provided below.

You will learn more about this profession and how to get certified.

Optician Job Duties

Thriving in a consumer-driven society leads businesses to sustain a consistent influx of customers daily.

To achieve this, places selling glasses need an exceptional optician at the helm.

An adept optician not only excels in retaining loyal clientele but also possesses the prowess to attract new patrons.

Moreover, this professional adeptly fulfills a spectrum of daily responsibilities, including:

• 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

While these tasks represent a snapshot of the multifaceted role of a future optician, they are by no means exhaustive.

It’s crucial to bear in mind that obtaining a specialized diploma is imperative for dispensing contact lenses in this profession.

Optician Training in Montana

In Montana, the path to becoming an optician doesn’t entail mandatory specialized training or the acquisition of credentials.

However, the latitude lies with employers who are at liberty to establish their criteria for the role.

Typically, these prerequisites involve participation in a structured training program and the attainment of certification.

Overseeing this certification process is the American Board of Opticianry.

For those aspiring to enter the field, an Optician Apprenticeship stands out as a prominent avenue in Montana.

This immersive training is conducted under the guidance of a certified optician, with specific entry requirements for prospective apprentices:

• Possession of a high school diploma or its equivalent
• Successful completion of a background check
• Submission of the sponsor’s details
• Completion of a comprehensive application
• Disclosure of health history
• Furnishing relevant references
• Providing a detailed work history

Engaging in these hands-on apprenticeship programs typically lasts about 2 years.

Despite the practical experience gained through apprenticeships, pursuing a formal degree in the field is highly recommended for aspiring opticians.

Borough of Manhattan Community College

Montana currently lacks in-person training programs for opticians, but you can still pursue online studies.

This community college provides a 100% online course with no set start dates, and there are no specific requirements for enrollment.

Upon completion of this course, students will be well-prepared to take the American Board of Opticianry (ABO) certification exam.

Some of the topics covered in this class include:

• Simple math and algebra
• Soft contact lenses
• Gas-permeable contact lenses
• Legal responsibilities and ethics
• The parts of the eye
• Refractive errors
• Strabismus and amblyopia
• Other common ocular conditions
• Prism basics

Certification or Licensure for an Optician in Montana

Upon successful completion of your training program, you’ll gain eligibility to take the licensing exam.

It’s essential to note that meeting at least one requirement from the following options is mandatory:

• Holding a license in a reciprocal state.
• Accumulating a minimum of 3 years of relevant experience.
• Completing a 3-year apprenticeship within the past 6 years.
• Gaining experience as an optician in a state with no licensing requirements.
• Graduating from an approved post-secondary optician program, coupled with a year of apprenticeship.

Additionally, you must pass the National Opticianry Competency Examination (NOCE) with the American Board of Opticianry (ABO).

The NOCE provides three levels of difficulty:

• Beginner
• Intermediate
• Advanced.

The initial level encompasses topics such as reading prescriptions, fitting and dispensing spectacles, and utilizing standard ophthalmic equipment.

Opticians opting to dispense contact lenses are obliged to take an additional exam.

This is the National Contact Lens Examiners (NCLE), which comes with a $200 fee.

This cost is generally borne by the employing company.

The NCLE covers topics like:

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

To complete the licensing process, you’ll need to submit specific paperwork.

This includes:

• Proof of being over 18
• A high school diploma or GED
• A filled-out application
• Payment of necessary fees
• A clean criminal record
• Pass the State Practical Examination
• Evidence of completed training, education, or a minimum of 3 years of experience.

Optician Certification Renewal

Your optician license in Montana holds a two-year validity.

To ensure its renewal, 36 additional hours of training must be undertaken before the expiration date.

Optician Salary in Montana

Curiosity may lead you to ponder about the potential earnings in this field within the picturesque landscapes of Montana.

On average, an optician can anticipate an annual income of approximately $48,500.

However, in more expansive locales such as Great Falls or Missoula, the earning potential expands.

Regional Salary in Montana

Optician Schools by State