Are you the type of person who wants a career where you get to help people? If so, then consider becoming an optician. With the right training, education, and meeting any age requirements your state may have, a fulfilling role as an optician is within your reach.
How Old Do You Need to Be to Become an Optician?
There is no national requirement for a minimum age for becoming an optician. However, some states do require that a person be at least 18 years old. Always check your state’s laws and regulations before applying for a position.
By the time a person finishes their mandatory training and education to become an optometrist, they will likely be around 19 or 20 years old if they start right after high school.
Qualifications for Opticians
To qualify for an optician program, individuals will need to earn their high school diploma or GED. After high school, a person must complete formal optician training, which can be done through a local vocational school or trade school. Individuals can pursue either a certification or an associate degree.
It is possible that a person can complete a two-year apprenticeship program with a practicing optician as long as the individual has finished high school. Here a person can get on-the-job training without having to be in a classroom setting. It’s important to note, however, that most employers will want a candidate with a formal education background.
Depending on your state, there is also a chance you will need to get a license. Each state has its own requirements, though nearly all will require you to pass a formal exam.
How Long Is Optician Training?
The time it takes to complete optician training depends on which option you choose. Certification programs take around one year to finish, while an associate degree takes about two years to finish.
If you are able to get an apprenticeship with a practicing optician, this will take roughly two years.
What Do Opticians Do?
Opticians have a wide range of job responsibilities that can include the following:
- Receive a customer’s eyeglasses or contacts prescription
- Measure a customer’s facial features, such as the eyes and distance between pupils
- Help a customer choose eyeglass frames and lens treatments
- Create work orders for the required lenses
- Adjust eyewear to ensure proper fit and customer satisfaction
- Repair and/or replace broken frames
- Maintain sales records, ordering, keeping inventory
Conclusion
The path to becoming an optician can be a rewarding one. After you’ve met all of the necessary education, training, and age requirements that your state has, you can start your new career as an optician.
