Optician and ophthalmic tech schools in Illinois
3 accredited programs in Illinois, from the public COA and ICA accreditor directories.
Illinois at a glance
- Opticianry programs: none listed by the COA directory for Illinois
- Ophthalmic assistant/technician programs: 3 (College of DuPage, Elgin Community College, Triton College)
- Cities: Elgin, Glen Ellyn, River Grove
- Programs listing an associate degree: 2 of 3; the rest are certificates or the accreditor list does not state the credential.
Licensing in Illinois
We haven’t verified Illinois’s optician rules yet. Some states license opticians and some don’t; see the state licensing hub and do you need a license to be an optician?, then check with the state board.
Accredited programs in Illinois
| School | City | Program type | Credential | Listed by |
|---|---|---|---|---|
|
College of DuPage (opens in a new tab)
Eye Care Assistant; Ophthalmic Technician |
Glen Ellyn | Ophthalmic tech | AAS (technician); assistant program credential not stated | ICA (opens in a new tab) |
|
Elgin Community College (opens in a new tab)
Ophthalmic Technician |
Elgin | Ophthalmic tech | Not stated on accreditor list | ICA (opens in a new tab) |
|
Triton College (opens in a new tab)
Ophthalmic Technician |
River Grove | Ophthalmic tech | AAS | ICA (opens in a new tab) |
Which program fits your goal?
Want to work alongside an ophthalmologist? Ophthalmic assistant and technician programs lead toward clinical roles (history taking, testing, assisting in procedures). An accredited program is one of the eligibility routes listed for IJCAHPO’s exams; compare credentials in COA vs COT vs CPOT and see COA certification.
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 Illinois’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, Florida, 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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