Optician Training and Certification in South Carolina

South Carolina 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 South Carolina Department of Labor, Licensing, and Regulation. The following information will be relevant to you if you are wanting to be licensed as an optician in the state of South Carolina.

South Carolina State Opticianry Law:

Licensing: Section 40-38-30 – 40-38-390

It is unlawful for a person to practice as an optician without being licensed. A person who displays a sign or in any way advertises himself to be an optician is deemed to be practicing opticianry within the law.

General Eligibility Requirements:

  • Graduated from an accredited public or private high school or secondary school of equal grade approved by the board or has completed an equivalent course of study approved by the board.


Technical Skills and Training Requirements:

  • Optician Training in South CarolinaMust complete one of the following…
      • Graduated from a two-year school of opticianry
      • Had two years’ apprenticeship under a South Carolina licensed optician, optometrist, or ophthalmologist
      • A currently valid optician’s license in another state
      • Been engaged in opticianry for not less than two years in a state that does not license opticians

Examination Requirements:

Fees and Forms:

  • Licensure Application, $25
  • Contact Lens Application, $25
  • Apprentice Application, $20


State Contact Information:

Phone:          (803) 896-4681
Fax:              (803) 896-4719
South Carolina State SealE-mail:         contactllr@llr.sc.gov

Board of Examiners in Opticianry
PO Box 11329
Columbia, SC 29211-1329

South Carolina Board of Examiners in Opticianry

State Association:   South Carolina Association of Opticians

13 Responses

  1. Sarah
    Sarah May 18, 2017 at 9:49 am | | Reply

    I’m licensed in Georgia. So I qualify to sit for the SC State Board as is?

  2. April Henderson
    April Henderson May 2, 2017 at 5:51 pm | | Reply

    Do you have to work for/with the licensed optician that you apprentice under?

  3. Alexander V Brunner
    Alexander V Brunner February 22, 2017 at 9:56 am | | Reply

    I have a licence in the state of New Jersey.
    I have an ophthalmic dispenser degree.
    I served a 4 year apprenticeship program.
    What is now left for me to do to become a licenced dispenser in the state of South Carolina.
    I also have been working full time in the optical retail and lab since 2005.
    Thank you for your time.
    Alex

  4. Kristen H.
    Kristen H. April 5, 2016 at 8:57 am | | Reply

    I have owned and operated my Optical shoppe in PA for the past 12 years. I am not a licensed optician. I was “grandfathered” into the business 22 years ago (around age 15) from my grandfather who started our family business (late 70’s) and who has worked in the industry since the early 1940’s. We do everything from sales, adjustments to a finishing lab. I’ve been considering a move to SC in the near future. Would I still need to take the SC exams to become a licensed optician or would any of my current qualifications be enough?

  5. Gabrielle Carter
    Gabrielle Carter August 13, 2015 at 10:47 pm | | Reply

    There are no accredited optician schools here in South Carolina. Penn Foster has an online program Optical Diploma. Is that accredited?

  6. Patricia Bullock
    Patricia Bullock January 3, 2015 at 10:10 pm | | Reply

    I have been working as an optical lab technician for the last 9 years in Indiana. I have been in the optical field since 1990 and held an ABO in Kentucky when I lived there. I did not renew my ABO because Indiana is not a licensed state. My fiance and I are planning to move to the Charleston area within the next two years. If I wish to work as an optical lab technician in South Carolina, what are the requirements that I would have to meet? Thank you for your response, Patricia M. Bullock.

  7. Haley
    Haley July 30, 2014 at 6:11 am | | Reply

    Are there any two-year schools of opticianry in South Carolina?

  8. Robert Szefinski
    Robert Szefinski May 1, 2014 at 3:12 pm | | Reply

    I am currently a licensed optician in the state of New Jersey. What requirements do I need complete in order to obtain my South Carolina license? Thank You. Robert Szefinski.

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