What is an Optician?
Opticians are experts in vision! They are an essential part of the eye care delivery system, trained to interpret & analyze prescriptions so they can prepare, fit and dispense optical appliances such as eyeglass lenses, frames, and contact lenses. Opticians often work in a retail optical setting, private practice, hospital clinic, ophthalmic laboratory or wholesale optical company and their career path can take them from a dispensing optician to management, contact lens fitting, product sales, manufacturing, or consulting. In the Richmond area, dispensing opticians typically make an average annual salary of $48,000-$55,000. U.S. News and The Wall Street Journal continue to rank opticianry as one of the best jobs, with the most satisfaction, throughout the country.
Choose Reynolds
Reynolds offers the only nationally accredited programs in the state of Virginia. Our faculty are formally trained and our curriculum is nationally accredited. Students enjoy all that comes with being a college student - convenience and flexibility in scheduling classes, eligibility for financial aid, college resources, and a support system of outstanding faculty and peers that will ensure success.
Two ways to become an optician
Reynolds is the only college in the Commonwealth of Virginia that offers an associate degree program in Opticianry. In fact, nearly 100% of all students who complete the associate degree program pass the Virginia Opticians State Licensing exam on the first attempt, the credential you will need to practice professional opticianry. Taking the exam more than once can become costly. Get the preparation you need by completing a comprehensive two-year associate degree. All classes in this program are offered online, with the exception of labs and clinicals, which can be completed on campus or at an approved site near you. View the full curriculum for the Loading....
For students that need to complete credits while working, The Department of Labor and Industry offer a two year optician apprenticeship program. Every registered apprentice is required to complete coursework while they complete on-the-job training. Reynolds offers this coursework in 7 online courses. View the full curriculum for the Career Studies Certificate for Loading....
Program Mission
To provide quality education in the profession of Opticianry resulting in an Associate in Applied Science Degree and to prepare graduates for employment meeting the needs of the workforce. As an equal opportunity institution, Reynolds welcomes all and encourages its students to seek excellence in their studies.
Program Goals
- To add qualified professionals who can interpret prescriptions, fabricate eyewear, dispense spectacles and contact lenses, communicate effectively, utilize sales techniques, and are self-competent to serve the visual needs of the public.
- To prepare graduates for successful employment in the optical field.
- To prepare Opticianry students for successful completion of national certification and/or state licensing exams.
- To maintain qualified faculty that meet and/or exceed the standards set forth by the Commission on Opticianry Accreditation and provide professional development opportunities.
- To maintain program accreditation.
- To eliminate hazardous waste and to reduce non-hazardous waste to the minimum levels economically and technically practical, and to be in full compliance with all federal and state environmental regulations.
Annual Statistics and Program Outcomes
The following table indicates how many Reynolds Community College Opticianry students entered the program and then graduated during the past 4 years, passed national certifications, state board exams and found employment within the field. Data from 2021 is still be collected as students may not complete state and national examinations until the following spring term.
|
Graduation Year |
Starting Class Enrollment |
Number of Students Graduating |
Graduating Percent |
|
2018 |
31 |
22 |
71% |
|
2019 |
16 |
9 |
56% |
|
2020 |
18 |
14 |
78% |
|
2021 |
17 |
12 |
71% |
|
2022 |
17 |
12 |
71% |
The following tables indicate the number of Opticianry graduates that took and passed national certifications, state board exams and found employment following graduation. It should be noted that this data is recorded within 8 months of their graduation and some graduates decide not take their licensure exams within that timeframe and/or continuing their educational journey.
American Board of Opticianry (ABO) Pass Rates
|
Class |
Sitting for Exam |
Passing |
Percent Passing on 1st attempt |
|
2018 |
21 |
21 |
100% |
|
2019 |
5 |
5 |
100% |
|
2020 |
8 |
8 |
100% |
|
2021 |
8 |
8 |
100% |
|
2022 |
10 |
10 |
100% |
National Contact Lens Registry Examination (NCLE) Pass Rates
|
Class |
Sitting for Exam |
Passing |
Percent Passing on 1st attempt |
|
2018 |
2 |
2 |
100% |
|
2019 |
4 |
4 |
100% |
|
2020 |
3 |
3 |
100% |
|
2021 |
1 |
1 |
100% |
|
2022 |
1 |
1 |
100% |
Virginia Board of Hearing Aids Specialists and Opticians Licensure Examination
|
Class |
Sitting for exam |
Passing |
Percent Passing on 1st attempt |
|
2018 |
17 |
17 |
100% |
|
2019 |
5 |
5 |
100% |
|
2020 |
7 |
7 |
100% |
|
2021 |
8 |
8 |
100% |
|
2022 |
9 |
9 |
100% |
Percentage of Students Employed in the of Vision Care Field upon Graduation
2018 -100%
2019 -100%
2020 - 93%
2021 - 100%
2022 - 100%
Accreditation
The Opticianry program is nationally accredited by the Commission on Opticianry Accreditation and a member of the National Federation of Opticianry Schools. For more information on accreditation:
Commission on Opticianry Accreditation
229 East 85th Street #194
New York, NY 10028
(315) 742-8066
http://coaccreditation.com/