An optician apprenticeship is supervised on-the-job training that some licensing states accept instead of an opticianry degree. Each state board sets the rules: Washington requires at least 6,000 registered hours over three to six years, and Florida 6,240 hours within five years.
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What an optician apprenticeship is
It is on-the-job training under a licensed optician (or, where the board allows, an optometrist or ophthalmologist) that a licensing state counts toward the license. Most boards want the apprentice registered before the hours count, and some also require classroom or program work. In states that don’t license opticians there’s no state apprenticeship rule; employers train on the job (see how to become an optician and optician license requirements by state). optical.education is independent and is not affiliated with or endorsed by any state board. Disclaimer.
States with an apprenticeship or supervised-training route (board-verified)
| State | Board’s term | Hours / length | Register first? | Supervisor | Exams to finish | Source |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Connecticut optician license | Apprenticeship training | At least 4 years and 8,000 hours | CT training counts if the applicant “was duly registered as an optician apprentice by the Department” | A licensed optician | ABO-NCLE NOCE and NCLE + DPH practical exam | Optician Licensing Requirements |
| Florida optician license | Registered apprentice | 6,240 hours under registered sponsor(s), within 5 years of registration; subject areas in Rule 64B12-16.003, F.A.C. | Yes (“registered as an apprentice with the department”) | Registered sponsor(s) | NOCE + CLRE + ABO and NCLE practicals | Optician (Rule 64B12-16.003, F.A.C.) |
| Hawaii optician license | Opticianry apprentice work experience | Minimum 2 years full-time (application: at least 30 hours a week), eyeglasses and contact lenses | Not stated as a registration; experience is certified on the board’s form | “Direct personal supervision” of a licensed dispensing optician, optometrist or ophthalmologist, present on the premises | NOCE and CLRE | Dispensing optician requirements (PDF) |
| Nevada optician license | Apprentice dispensing optician license | Track 1: 1 year, at least 1,000 hours + an associate degree in ophthalmic dispensing. Track 2: 2 years, at least 2,000 hours + board-approved home-study/certificate programs. Plus 100 spectacle neutralizations and 100 hours of practical contact lens training. Up to 3 annual license renewals to finish | Yes (apprentice license; proof of enrollment in an approved program within 6 months) | Supervisor of record at the same employer and location, physically present | ABO Basic, Advanced and Practical; NCLE Basic and Practical; Nevada Law and Ethics exam | Apprenticeship Requirements (PDF) · Applications for Licensure |
| New York optician license | Trainee permit / Department-approved training program (not called an apprenticeship) | 24 months, at least 2,400 clock hours, + certificate of completing the National Academy of Opticianry Career Progression Program (contact lens certificate: 12 months, 1,200 hours + CLSA Contact Lens Study Manual) | Yes (trainee permit, $30) | Licensed ophthalmic dispenser, optometrist or physician | NOCE (or comparable exam) + ABO Practical | Ophthalmic dispensing license requirements |
| Tennessee | Tennessee Apprenticeship Training Program | Minimum 3 years and 5,250 hours, full- or part-time; semi-annual notarized evaluation reports; board-accepted training programs can count for 1,750 hours | Yes (Application for Apprenticeship Training) | “Qualified supervision” (direct supervision of a licensed eye care professional, Rule 0480-01-.14(5)) | ABO and NCLE certification + board practical exam | Tennessee Board of Dispensing Opticians |
| Virginia optician license | Registered apprenticeship (with board-approved related technical instruction) | Not stated on the board’s pages for opticians (see note) | Registered apprenticeship (Virginia Apprenticeship Council standards linked by the board) | Not stated on the board page | ABO/NCLE written and practical (the board lists ABO/NCLE as exam administrator); apply to the Board first | Board for Hearing Aid Specialists and Opticians · Optician Apprenticeship Standards (PDF) · Approved related technical instruction guidance, rev. Sept 13, 2023 (PDF) |
| Washington optician license | Registered apprentice dispensing optician | At least 6,000 hours of certified training over no less than 3 and no more than 6 years; registration lasts 6 calendar years | Yes (“You must be registered … before you can work as an apprentice”) | Licensed optician, optometrist or physician registered as primary supervisor; max 2 apprentices per supervisor | ABO and NCLE basic + contact lens exams + ABO/NCLE practicals | Dispensing Optician Licensing Requirements |
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- Virginia: the board links general Virginia Apprenticeship Council standards that apply to any registered apprenticeship; they are not an optician-specific hour count, so Virginia’s board doesn’t state an hour count for optician apprenticeships. Virginia accepts a registered apprenticeship; its FAQ says out-of-state apprenticeships don’t count. Confirm with the board.
- Tennessee: from the board page, re-read October 10, 2026.
- New York calls it a trainee permit and training program, not an apprenticeship.
- Hawaii: experience may be gained in another state and certified on its form; Hawaii “does NOT reciprocate” licenses.
Other licensing states, not verified for apprenticeship
California, Arizona, Kentucky, Massachusetts and Vermont license or register opticians, but the board pages we checked don’t state an apprenticeship route. Check the board. Other states are not yet verified; see optician license requirements by state.
How apprenticeship time fits with ABO and NCLE certification
- ABO-NCLE’s Basic exam needs “a high school diploma or GED,” and “no prior experience is required” (ABO-NCLE Basic Exam page, checked October 10, 2026; ABO-NCLE alone publishes this). So apprentices can usually sit the ABO Basic (NOCE) and NCLE Basic (CLRE) before finishing their hours, unless a state sets an order.
- Where a state sets an order: Nevada says apprentices may register for ABO/NCLE “at any time during their apprenticeships”; Florida’s practical exams require passing NOCE and NCLE first; New York’s ABOP comes after filing the licensure application, passing NOCE and Department approval; Tennessee’s board practical requires an approved licensure application.
- Certification is not a license; the license comes from the state. See certification vs a state license.
- Guides: ABO certification, NCLE certification, ABO and NCLE practical exams, ABO exam cost, is ABO certification worth it?
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How to find an optician apprenticeship
- Check your state’s rule first (the table above, or optician license requirements by state). The sponsor must meet it, e.g. Washington’s registered primary supervisor, Nevada’s supervisor at the same location, or Florida’s registered sponsor.
- Ask licensed opticians, optometry offices and optical retailers near you whether they sponsor apprentices and will register you with the board.
- Search the U.S. Department of Labor’s Apprenticeship Job Finder for “optician.” Listings may not exist in every area.
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Employer programs (employer statements, quoted only):
- Walmart (employer statement, June 29, 2026): “Associate to Optician is offered through Live Better U, Walmart’s no-cost education benefit. It’s designed for associates who currently work outside a Walmart Vision Center or Sam’s Club Optical Center to have a pathway into the field.” Walmart also says: “Associates who are new to vision care can earn a fully funded associate degree in Optical Science through Live Better U while completing hands-on clinical training.” Walmart describes it as a degree program with clinical training; its announcement doesn’t call it an apprenticeship. (Walmart, quotes checked October 10, 2026.)
- National Vision (employer statement, checked October 10, 2026): “If you’re not yet licensed, National Vision supports associates throughout the licensing journey, including providing access to exam preparation services and paying ABO and NCLE exam fees.” (National Vision)
- Before you start: get registered where required, and keep your own copies of hours logs and supervisor forms (Florida completion letter, Washington training certificate, Tennessee semi-annual reports, Nevada training records).
Frequently asked questions
Do I have to register before starting an optician apprenticeship?
In several states, yes: Washington, Florida, Nevada (apprentice license), New York (trainee permit), Tennessee, and Connecticut for training done in Connecticut. Hawaii instead certifies apprentice experience on its application form.
Sources: Washington DOH — Dispensing Optician Licensing Requirements (opens in a new tab) ; Florida Board of Opticianry — Optician (Rule 64B12-16.003, F.A.C.) (opens in a new tab) ; Nevada Board of Dispensing Opticians — Applications for Licensure (opens in a new tab) ; NYSED — Ophthalmic dispensing license requirements (opens in a new tab) ; Tennessee Board of Dispensing Opticians (opens in a new tab) ; Connecticut DPH — Optician Licensing Requirements (opens in a new tab) ; Hawaii DCCA — Dispensing optician requirements (PDF) (opens in a new tab)
How many hours does an optician apprenticeship take?
As each board states it: Connecticut 8,000 hours over at least 4 years; Florida 6,240 hours within 5 years; Nevada 1,000 or 2,000 hours plus education; New York 2,400 hours over 24 months; Tennessee 5,250 hours over at least 3 years; Washington 6,000 hours over 3 to 6 years; Hawaii at least 2 years full-time. Virginia’s board doesn’t state an hour count.
Sources: Connecticut DPH — Optician Licensing Requirements (opens in a new tab) ; Florida Board of Opticianry — Optician (Rule 64B12-16.003, F.A.C.) (opens in a new tab) ; Nevada Board of Dispensing Opticians — Apprenticeship Requirements (PDF) (opens in a new tab) ; NYSED — Ophthalmic dispensing license requirements (opens in a new tab) ; Tennessee Board of Dispensing Opticians (opens in a new tab) ; Washington DOH — Dispensing Optician Licensing Requirements (opens in a new tab) ; Hawaii DCCA — Dispensing optician requirements (PDF) (opens in a new tab) ; Virginia DPOR — Board for Hearing Aid Specialists and Opticians (opens in a new tab)
Can I take the ABO exam while I’m still an apprentice?
ABO-NCLE’s Basic exam needs a high school diploma or GED, and “no prior experience is required.” Nevada says apprentices may register for ABO/NCLE exams “at any time during their apprenticeships.” Other states set their own order for practical exams, so check your board.
Sources: ABO-NCLE — Basic Exam (eligibility) (opens in a new tab) ; Nevada Board of Dispensing Opticians — Apprenticeship Requirements (PDF) (opens in a new tab)
Who can supervise an optician apprentice?
It depends on the state. Washington: a licensed optician, optometrist or physician registered as primary supervisor. Hawaii: a licensed dispensing optician, optometrist or ophthalmologist under direct personal supervision. New York: a licensed ophthalmic dispenser, optometrist or physician. Nevada: a supervisor of record at the same location. Connecticut: a licensed optician.
Sources: Washington DOH — Dispensing Optician Licensing Requirements (opens in a new tab) ; Hawaii DCCA — Dispensing optician requirements (PDF) (opens in a new tab) ; NYSED — Ophthalmic dispensing license requirements (opens in a new tab) ; Nevada Board of Dispensing Opticians — Apprenticeship Requirements (PDF) (opens in a new tab) ; Connecticut DPH — Optician Licensing Requirements (opens in a new tab)
Does an optician apprenticeship from one state count in another?
Only where a board says so. Virginia’s FAQ says out-of-state apprenticeships are not acceptable. Connecticut-trained apprentices must have been registered there. Washington lists five years of out-of-state experience as an alternative. Hawaii certifies experience from another state on its form. Otherwise, ask the board.
Sources: Virginia DPOR — Board for Hearing Aid Specialists and Opticians (opens in a new tab) ; Connecticut DPH — Optician Licensing Requirements (opens in a new tab) ; Washington DOH — Dispensing Optician Licensing Requirements (opens in a new tab) ; Hawaii DCCA — Dispensing optician requirements (PDF) (opens in a new tab)
Is Walmart’s Associate to Optician program an apprenticeship?
Walmart describes it as a fully funded associate degree in Optical Science with hands-on clinical training, for associates who work outside a Walmart Vision Center or Sam’s Club Optical Center. Its announcement doesn’t call it an apprenticeship.
Is there an optician apprenticeship in states that don’t license opticians?
There is no state apprenticeship rule where opticians aren’t licensed; employers train on the job. Check whether your state licenses opticians first.
See also: How to become an optician ; Optician license requirements by state
Official sources
- Connecticut DPH — Optician Licensing Requirements (opens in a new tab)
- Florida Board of Opticianry — Optician (Rule 64B12-16.003, F.A.C.) (opens in a new tab)
- Hawaii DCCA — Dispensing optician requirements (PDF) (opens in a new tab)
- Nevada Board of Dispensing Opticians — Applications for Licensure (opens in a new tab)
- Nevada Board of Dispensing Opticians — Apprenticeship Requirements (PDF) (opens in a new tab)
- NYSED — Ophthalmic dispensing license requirements (opens in a new tab)
- Tennessee Board of Dispensing Opticians (opens in a new tab)
- Virginia DPOR — Board for Hearing Aid Specialists and Opticians (opens in a new tab)
- Virginia DPOR — Optician Apprenticeship Standards (PDF) (opens in a new tab)
- Virginia DPOR — Approved related technical instruction guidance, rev. Sept 13, 2023 (PDF) (opens in a new tab)
- Washington DOH — Dispensing Optician Licensing Requirements (opens in a new tab)
- ABO-NCLE — Basic Exam (eligibility) (opens in a new tab)
- U.S. Department of Labor — Apprenticeship Job Finder (opens in a new tab)
- Walmart — “Bringing New Career Paths into Focus,” June 29, 2026 (employer statement) (opens in a new tab)
- National Vision — Optician careers (employer statement) (opens in a new tab)
Last reviewed . Requirements, fees, and dates change — always confirm with the official source before you register or apply. ABO-NCLE and IJCAHPO are the only authorities for their own exam facts, so those facts rest on a single source.