Optician and ophthalmic tech schools in Florida
3 accredited programs in Florida, from the public COA and ICA accreditor directories.
Florida at a glance
- Opticianry programs: 3 (Broward College, Hillsborough College, Miami Dade College)
- Ophthalmic assistant/technician programs: none listed by the ICA directory for Florida
- Cities: Coconut Creek, Miami, Tampa
- Programs listing an associate degree: 3 of 3.
Licensing in Florida
- Opticians licensed: yes
- Regulator: Florida Board of Opticianry (Florida Department of Health)
- License types: Optician (licensure by examination or endorsement); registered apprentice
- Exams (per the board): NOCE (passed within 3 years of application or current ABO certification) and CLRE (passed within 3 years or current NCLE certification); Florida licensure exam = NOCE + NCLE + national practical (ABO Practical and NCLE Practical)
From the board’s own page, checked 2026-10-08. Rules change; confirm with the board before you enroll.
Full details: Florida optician licensing.
Accredited programs in Florida
| School | City | Program type | Credential | Listed by |
|---|---|---|---|---|
|
Broward College (opens in a new tab)
Vision Care Technology (Opticianry) |
Coconut Creek | Optician | Associate degree | COA (opens in a new tab) |
|
Hillsborough College (opens in a new tab)
Opticianry |
Tampa | Optician | Associate degree | COA (opens in a new tab) |
|
Miami Dade College (opens in a new tab)
Opticianry |
Miami | Optician | Associate in Science | COA (opens in a new tab) |
Which program fits your goal?
Want to fit and dispense glasses or contacts? Opticianry programs teach optics, lens fabrication, frame fitting, and contact lens fitting. Graduates commonly sit for the national ABO (eyeglasses) and NCLE (contact lenses) exams, which many licensed states use. Start with ABO vs NCLE and how to become an optician.
Not ready for school? Many opticians and ophthalmic assistants start by training on the job. See optician apprenticeships, and use our free practice tests to check where you stand.
Questions to ask a program
- Is it currently accredited (COA for opticianry, ICA for ophthalmic assisting), and when is the next review?
- What credential do you earn: certificate, associate degree, or both?
- Does it include clinical or retail externship hours, and does that count toward Florida’s requirements?
- How many graduates sat the national exams last year? Ask for their published numbers rather than marketing claims.
- Total cost, schedule (day, evening, online), and next start date.
Programs in other states
California, Connecticut, District of Columbia, Illinois, Louisiana, Massachusetts, Michigan, Minnesota, Nevada, New Jersey, New Mexico, New York, North Carolina, Oklahoma, Oregon, Tennessee, Texas, Virginia, Washington, Wisconsin
Last checked Oct 2026. Built from two public accreditor directories: the Commission on Opticianry Accreditation, Directory of Accredited Programs (opticianry and ophthalmic laboratory programs) and the International Council of Accreditation (formerly CoA-OMP), Find a Program (ophthalmic assistant and technician programs). Optometry (OD) schools are not listed. Programs marked “in the process of accreditation” or “inactive” on those lists are left out. Start dates, costs, and enrollment change; confirm details with each school.
School missing or out of date? Tell us via /feedback.
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