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Optician requirements by state

21 states plus Puerto Rico appear in the ABO-NCLE licensing-board directory. Search for your state to find its board and what we've confirmed so far.

Last reviewed . 10 states plus Texas are board-confirmed and 13 are directory-sourced; each entry shows its status

How each entry is sourced

This hub starts from the ABO-NCLE board directory (April 2025) and the United Opticians Association list. Entries marked “Confirmed on board page” were checked against the state’s official licensing page on Oct 8, 2026. Entries marked “Directory-sourced” come only from those directories and have not yet been confirmed with the board. Texas repealed its optician registry in 2015. Licensing rules change, so always confirm with the board before you make decisions.

How to use this hub

  • Use the board link to confirm current requirements, fees, and application steps.
  • Many licensing states reference the ABO and/or NCLE exams. Read our ABO vs NCLE comparison.
  • Even in states without a license, employers may prefer certified opticians.

Individual state pages with verified details are coming as each state is confirmed with its board.

Frequently asked questions

Which states require opticians to be licensed?

The ABO-NCLE Opticianry Licensing Boards directory (April 2025) lists 21 states plus Puerto Rico: Alaska, Arizona, Arkansas, California, Connecticut, Florida, Georgia, Hawaii, Kentucky, Massachusetts, Nevada, New Jersey, New York, North Carolina, Ohio, Rhode Island, South Carolina, Tennessee, Vermont, Virginia, and Washington. The United Opticians Association also lists New Hampshire. Confirm with each state board.

Does Texas license opticians?

No. Texas repealed its optician registry and contact lens dispensing permit effective September 1, 2015 (SB 202).

What if my state is not listed?

States not shown here were not listed as licensing opticians in the ABO-NCLE directory or the United Opticians Association list we reviewed. We are still verifying this — check with your state’s professional licensing agency.

Sources

Last reviewed . Requirements, fees, and dates change — always confirm with the official source before you register or apply.