Optician Training and Certification in Georgia

Georgia is one of only twenty-three states that require optician licensing by law. Rules and regulations regarding optician training requirements, licensing, and certification are established by the Georgia State Board of Dispensing Opticians. The following information will be relevant to you if you are wanting to be licensed as an optician in the state of Georgia.

Georgia State Opticianry Law:

Licensing: § 43-29-7 – § 43-29-21

Any person wishing to obtain the right to practice the trade or occupation of dispensing optician must make application to the board and obtain a license from the board.

General Eligibility Requirements:

  • Over 18 years of age
  • Has completed a high school education or its equivalent
  • Of good moral character

Technical Skills and Training Requirements:

One of the following…

  • Has satisfactorily completed one school year of not less than an 850 hour course of study in a recognized school of optical dispensing
  • Has had practical training and experience for not less than two years under the supervision of a licensed dispensing optician, a licensed physician, or a licensed optometrist

Opticianry Degree Programs:

Ogeechee Technical College, located in Statesboro, offers both an Opticianry Associate of Applied Science Degree and an Opticianry Diploma. In order to be eligible for admission to the program, applicants must meet the following requirements:

  • At least 16 years old
  • Has a high school diploma or GED
  • Complete placement exam

Students are required to complete at least 72 semester credit hours and a minimum of 1740 contact hours over 5 semesters.

To learn more about the specifics of the program, you can visit their website or click here to view the college catalog. Details of the opticianry programs begin on page 154.

Examination Requirements:


Licensure by Reciprocity:

If you have been previously licensed as a dispensing optician in another state, you can be issued a license in Georgia as long as the examination and training requirements in your previous state are comparable to the standards in Georgia and you have been licensed for at least two years. In addition, Georgia will only consider issuing a license by reciprocity if the state in which you have been licensed offers the same courtesy to opticians who hold a Georgia license. Applicants are also required to have not failed any required examination within the past five years.

Fees and Forms:

  • Application Fee, $115
  • Apprentice Registration, $35
  • Re-Examination Fee, $65
  • Reinstatement Fee, $160
  • License Renewal fee, $65

Georgia State SealState Contact Information:

Phone:          (478) 207-2440
Fax:              (877) 588-0446
E-mail:         Submit Here

Board of Dispensing Opticians
237 Coliseum Drive
Macon, GA 31217-3858

Web Site:   Georgia Board of Dispensing Opticians

State Association:    Opticians Association of Georgia

29 Responses

  1. Lyn
    Lyn January 29, 2017 at 3:35 am | | Reply

    Hi,

    I have never registered as an apprentice but I was going to take my LDO test based on experience. Now things have changed and I was told about an online program that the GA board will recognize. Does anyone know the name of the website? Or if it exists?
    Thanks in advance

  2. Larry Moncrief
    Larry Moncrief January 26, 2017 at 11:04 pm | | Reply

    I hear that the Optician training program at Wiregrass Tech in Valdosta, GA is closing. Are there any such programs for training Opticians in south Alabama or any credible online schools that offer the program?

    Thanks! Praying!

  3. Jennifer Parella
    Jennifer Parella December 13, 2016 at 3:21 pm | | Reply

    I am a ABO certified optician in Pa for over 30 years. we are not a licensed state. I’m moving to GA in 6 months. Can I just take the test?

  4. lily
    lily April 16, 2016 at 11:03 pm | | Reply

    I am ABO/NCLE certified in Florida and have all my apprentice hours completed (but I am not licensed yet). Now I’m moving to Georgia and am wondering if my certifications and hours will be sufficient in order to sit for the Georgia Boards to become licensed.

  5. Jason
    Jason March 8, 2016 at 11:55 pm | | Reply

    I am a licensed optician in the state of Virginia and am ABO Certified. I do not have the NCLE because it was not required in Virginia. I am moving to Georgia next year, and I think the NCLE is required. If so can I obtain that after moving to Georgia or will I need to get that before I apply for transfer?

  6. Brittany
    Brittany March 7, 2016 at 10:07 am | | Reply

    I am about halfway through my 2 year apprenticeship and I am working through an online optician certificate course. Could this count towards the education portion of my license application? Also, I am going to be ready to take the ABO by May this year. If I pass it, does that still count as my test even though I haven’t completed the 3,000 hours yet?

  7. Anthony K
    Anthony K November 6, 2015 at 10:11 am | | Reply

    Hello, I practiced dispensing in Florida under a licensed optometrist for 7 years but never sought licensing myself. Can I do the same thing in Georgia? Or must I register to take the examinations etc.?

    Thank you!

  8. Arman
    Arman October 9, 2015 at 5:38 pm | | Reply

    Hello. I have a store and we sell some of our own sunglasses yet I would like to have the option to offer different sunglass lenses. Is there anyone who would do freelance sunglass lens cutting on a job to job basis? Eventually I would be able to hire for PT or FT pay. But my main objective right now is to have someone who could trace the lens shape and do the cutting as well. If anyone could offer more information as to how I could go about doing this I would be very appreciative. Thank you

  9. Yury
    Yury August 2, 2015 at 10:17 am | | Reply

    I’m a non licensed optician in New Jersey. I’ve completed the dispensing optician program and have gotten my degree. I’ve been working in the field for 10 plus years and want to apply for a license in Georgia. Is it best to apply on the basis of education and experience or just education since I am not licensed.

  10. K Filmore
    K Filmore September 22, 2014 at 12:16 pm | | Reply

    I am currently working under the supervision of a licensed Optician and in close quarters with an Optometrist. I would like to get more information about obtaining my Dispensing Optician License through an apprenticeship.

  11. erico
    erico September 21, 2014 at 8:41 pm | | Reply

    I’m a licensed optician in North Carolina. What do I need to do to obtain a Georgia license?

  12. ae
    ae July 29, 2014 at 10:01 pm | | Reply

    Where is the law that states a licensed dispensing optician (LDO) must be present to dispense eyewear in Georgia?

  13. Jorvy Mammen
    Jorvy Mammen May 28, 2014 at 9:18 am | | Reply

    Hi,

    My name is Jorvy Mammen. I have been working as an optician for 10 years now. I have my ABO / NCLE certification. 10 years ago, I completed 1.5 years of optometry school when I realized that the program was not for me. I did pass all portions of my optics classes in optometry school, so I don’t know if this education can count towards working under supervised personnel since it included optics labs.

    I was wondering how I can get licensed as an optician in the state of Georgia. I have been working as an optician since 2003, but was never in an apprenticeship program, and I am hoping I don’t have to do 3000 hours starting all over again. The only evidence of being an optician for 10 years that I have are my W-2’s.

    If someone could help me, I would be eternally grateful.

    Sincerely,
    Jorvy

  14. Karen Conner-Beck
    Karen Conner-Beck February 18, 2014 at 2:17 pm | | Reply

    I have been an ABO Certified optician since 1996 and am working in the State of Michigan. With 20 years of experience plus my ABO Certification, what requirements would I need to fulfill before being able to be employed as an Optician in the state of Georgia?

  15. Carrie DeMarco
    Carrie DeMarco January 30, 2014 at 11:22 am | | Reply

    I live in Cumming, GA. I would like to become a licensed dispensing optician. I need more information to start this process.

  16. E Bowen
    E Bowen August 23, 2013 at 1:05 pm | | Reply

    I have a person registered as an apprentice that I supervised for over 3000 work hours. He has transferred to a different location and is going to sit for his licensing exam at the next test cycle. Does he still stay listed under my license or should he change his supervising LDO to the person he reports to now? Thank you for a quick response.

    E Bowen

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