Becoming an Optician in Florida

Opticians fill eyewear prescriptions, help customers pick out eyewear, and inform customers about the care of their eyewear. This is a rapidly growing job industry in Florida, and the number of opticians in the state is predicted to increase by 11 percent over the next several years.[En Español]

Twenty-three states require that opticians must be licensed to work within the state, and Florida is one of them. Opticians in the state are required to have formal training and certification before they can practice opticianry.

Optician Certification in Florida

Getting an optician certification in Florida requires completing a two-step process. First, you must complete a formal opticianry program that is approved by the Florida Board of Opticians (FBO). Second, you must take and pass the Certified Florida Optician Exam.

The FBO has approved several opticianry programs in the state. These programs are typically offered by community colleges and technical schools, but some universities offer them as well. Coursework includes the anatomy of the eye, eyewear design, optics and refraction, contact lenses, and lens fabrication.

Optician Certification Training Programs

One of the requirements for optician licensure in Florida is formal education or training. You can receive this training in one of two ways: by completing a certificate or associate’s degree program at a technical or community college or by completing an apprenticeship. Fortunately, there are many options in Florida if you choose the education route.

• Broward College. At Broward College, you can get an associate’s degree in opticianry or vision care technology. This program is offered at the Fort Lauderdale campus. Broward is accredited by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools, Commission on Colleges. This program consists of 72 credit hours spread over approximately two years. Broward College also works with several optical businesses in Broward County to give students externship experiences. Upon completion of this program, students should be ready to sit for the three exams they need to pass for licensure.
• Hillsborough Community College. Hillsborough offers several options to students interested in opticianry. They have two certificate options: an eye care technician and an ophthalmic lab technician. The eye care technician certificate consists of 48 credit hours, and the ophthalmic lab technician certificate consists of 24 credit hours.

There are also two associate degree program options at Hillsborough. The Associate in Science (AS) degree in Opticianry prepares students to fit and dispense eyewear through classroom and clinical training. Graduates of this program can take the licensure exams. The AS in Optical Management Technology focuses more on the management and administrative duties of this field. Associate degree programs can generally be completed in two years. All of these programs are offered at the Tampa campus. This college is also accredited by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools, Commission on Colleges.

• Miami Dade College. Miami Dade College offers an Associate in Arts (AA) degree in pre-optometry, setting the groundwork for students to transfer to a four-year college and continue with a Bachelor’s in a science-related field and Doctorate in Optometry. This pre-optometry program can be taken at the Miami campus and can be completed in two years. Miami Dade College is accredited by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools, Commission on Colleges.

If you are interested in an apprenticeship program, rather than a certificate or degree program you must have a high school diploma or equivalent. Apprentices must complete 6,240 hours of training within five years. This training must be completed under a licensed optician, optometrist, or ophthalmologist. Furthermore, the optician must be licensed for at least one year before providing supervision. Any education taken previously at an approved school of opticianry may count towards apprenticeship hours. Once training is complete, you can sit for the three exams and become a licensed optician.

Licensing Requirements for Opticians in Florida

Optician licensing requirements in Florida are handled by the Florida Board of Opticianry. To become licensed, you must complete formal training in the form of an associate degree from an accredited institution or work as an apprentice for at least 6,240 hours. If you are already licensed in another state and have practiced opticianry for the past three years, or if you practiced for the past five years in a state that does not require a license, you will also be eligible for licensure in Florida.

Once training is complete, you can sit for the exams and become a licensed optician. You must take the National Opticianry Competency Examination (NOCE) issued by the American Board of Opticianry (ABO) and the Contact Lens Registry Examination (CLRE) issued by the National Contact Lens Examiners (NCLE) within three years of applying for licensure or hold current certification in both. You must also be at least 18 years old and have a high school diploma or equivalent.

The Florida Opticianry License Examinations is made up of three exams:

• The NOCE issued by the ABO
• The CLRE issued by the NCLE
• The National Optician’s Practical Examination (NOPE) issued by the National Commission of State Opticianry (NCSORB)

If you have taken the first two exams within three years of taking the NOPE, you must show that your certifications are current.

Florida optician licenses expire yearly on December 31st and must be renewed. In addition to renewal fees, you must also complete 20 hours of continued education before renewing your license.

Outlook and Salaries for Opticians in Florida

The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) reported in May 2020 that 3,620 opticians were practicing in Florida, and that number is expected to continue growing in the coming years. Florida has the third-highest employment rate of opticians in the United States. Within the state, Miami, Fort Lauderdale, and West Palm Beach hold the highest concentrations of employment.

The average hourly salary of Floridian opticians is $47.84 according to the BLS. The average annual salary in the state is $99,510. However, salary will depend on factors including training, experience, and location. Opticians in more than 15 Florida cities and towns have an average annual salary that is greater than $39,350. Miami, Jacksonville, and West Palm Beach are among those cities and towns. The highest-paid opticians work in Gainesville where they average $47,520 annually.

Salaries in Florida by Occupation

Profession	Employment	Mean Hourly Wage	Mean Annual Wage
Opticians, Dispensing	4,900	$18.85	$39,200
Ophthalmic Medical Technicians	3,290	$17.78	$36,980
Ophthalmic Laboratory Technicians	3,400	$14.32	$29,780
Optometrists	1,780	$51.54	$107,200

Certified Dispensing Optician Salaries in Florida by Region

Region	Total Employment	Mean Hourly Wage	Mean Annual Salary	10% Percentile	25% Percentile	Median	75% Percentile	90% Percentile
Cape Coral-Fort Myers, FL	150	$21.11	$43,910	$26,140	$31,880	$43,570	$51,240	$67,240
Crestview-Fort Walton Beach-Destin, FL	**	$17.97	$37,380	$26,470	$29,090	$35,720	$45,790	$50,830
Deltona-Daytona Beach-Ormond Beach, FL	110	$17.51	$36,420	$18,940	$26,830	$35,880	$46,540	$54,390
Gainesville, FL	100	$22.85	$47,520	$34,830	$40,710	$47,500	$56,160	$61,980
Jacksonville, FL	260	$22.06	$45,880	$25,330	$28,380	$34,960	$46,560	$59,570
Lakeland-Winter Haven, FL	90	$19.44	$40,430	$22,830	$27,170	$42,250	$50,480	$58,700
Miami-Fort Lauderdale-West Palm Beach, FL	1,520	$19.31	$40,160	$23,370	$29,020	$40,570	$50,670	$58,540
Naples-Immokalee-Marco Island, FL	50	$20.83	$43,330	$28,020	$34,260	$38,900	$55,260	$62,340
North Port-Sarasota-Bradenton, FL	170	$19.69	$40,950	$27,110	$31,340	$38,250	$52,320	$58,960
Ocala, FL	60	$17.86	$37,160	$22,150	$28,060	$36,820	$45,620	$53,460
Orlando-Kissimmee-Sanford, FL	650	$17.03	$35,420	$21,130	$26,320	$35,320	$42,860	$51,040
Palm Bay-Melbourne-Titusville, FL	110	$20.13	$41,860	$22,480	$32,400	$40,690	$50,870	$59,690
Panama City, FL	60	$17.53	$36,460	$26,540	$30,190	$34,950	$39,560	$49,570
Pensacola-Ferry Pass-Brent, FL	**	$18.35	$38,170	$26,670	$29,740	$36,310	$46,100	$55,060
Port St. Lucie, FL	70	$19.84	$41,270	$27,210	$31,240	$42,320	$49,360	$56,810
Punta Gorda, FL	40	$20.21	$42,050	$23,560	$34,240	$44,470	$49,970	$56,250
Sebastian-Vero Beach, FL	50	$18.04	$37,520	$27,230	$31,470	$36,510	$41,700	$51,490
Tallahassee, FL	90	$17.43	$36,250	$21,760	$24,980	$34,500	$46,750	$55,170
Tampa-St. Petersburg-Clearwater, FL	920	$17.75	$36,920	$22,280	$26,500	$35,500	$47,000	$55,610

Working as an Optician in Florida

While Miami, Fort Lauderdale, and West Palm beach employ the most opticians within the state, there are several large eyewear retailers, hospitals, and optometric practices in cities and towns throughout Florida to consider for employment. Depending on whether you choose to complete training at a community college or through apprenticeship, within two to five years you can be ready to take the NOCE, CLRE, and NOPE exams and look for work as a licensed optician anywhere in the state.

Neighbor States

Students may also wish to review their options in Georgia and Alabama.

College Listings

Optician careers in Florida: what you need to know

Florida has more than 5,080 working opticians, making it one of the larger optician job markets in the country, according to BLS May 2025 OEWS data. The state’s large and growing retired population keeps demand for vision care steady. If you are thinking about becoming an optician in Florida, this page covers wages, training programs, licensing, and what your career path can look like.

What opticians do in Florida

As a dispensing optician, you help patients choose eyeglass frames and lenses. You read prescriptions written by optometrists and ophthalmologists. You fit glasses and contact lenses so they sit correctly and work as intended. You may also adjust frames, troubleshoot vision problems with a patient’s current glasses, and order custom lenses from a lab.

Florida opticians work in retail optical shops, ophthalmology offices, and hospital outpatient clinics. Some work in large chain stores. Others work in small, independent practices where they handle most of the patient interaction themselves.

Florida optician salaries

Wages in Florida vary quite a bit depending on your experience and where you work. The figures below come from BLS May 2025 OEWS data for dispensing opticians in Florida.

Percentile	Annual wage
10th percentile (entry level)	$36,510
25th percentile	$45,400
Median	$58,850
75th percentile	$66,960
90th percentile (top earners)	$75,480

The median wage of $58,850 means half of Florida opticians earn more and half earn less. If you are just starting out, a salary near $36,510 is realistic. With several years of experience and a certification, you can move toward the upper end of the range.

It is worth comparing optician pay to a related career. Ophthalmic medical technicians, who assist ophthalmologists with clinical tasks like measuring eye pressure and running diagnostic tests, earn a median of $46,830 in Florida (BLS May 2025 OEWS data). The median for dispensing opticians is about $12,000 higher per year. Both careers work in eye care settings, but opticians who add certification tend to see stronger wage growth over time.

How wages grow with experience

Your starting wage depends on your training and whether you hold a national certification. The American Board of Opticianry (ABO) and the National Contact Lens Examiners (NCLE) offer certification exams that many Florida employers use to screen candidates. Passing those exams before you apply for your first job puts you in a stronger position to negotiate your starting salary.

After two to three years on the job, many opticians in Florida move from entry-level positions to roles with more responsibility, such as managing a dispensary or training newer staff. Those moves usually come with pay increases. The jump from the 25th percentile ($45,400) to the median ($58,850) is more than $13,000 per year, which shows how much experience matters in this field.

Florida optician licensing requirements

Florida is one of the states that requires opticians to hold a state license before they can practice. You must pass both the ABO written exam and a practical contact lens fitting assessment to qualify for a Florida opticianry license. The Florida Board of Opticianry, which operates under the Department of Health, oversees all licensing.

To sit for the licensing exams, you generally need to show proof of training. That training can come from an accredited opticianry program at a Florida college. Some candidates also qualify through an apprenticeship pathway, but the college route gives you structured preparation for the exams and often includes lab practice with real equipment.

You must renew your Florida opticianry license every two years. Renewal requires continuing education hours. Staying current on lens technology and frame fitting standards is part of the job throughout your career, not just at the start.

Opticianry programs in Florida

Several Florida community colleges run accredited opticianry programs. These programs are accredited by the Commission on Opticianry Accreditation (COA), which is the national body that reviews opticianry training for quality and curriculum standards. Completing a COA-accredited program means you graduate prepared to sit for both the ABO and NCLE exams.

Associate degree and diploma programs

Broward College in Fort Lauderdale runs a vision care technology program that prepares you for state licensure. The program covers ophthalmic lens optics, frame selection, and contact lens fitting.

Daytona State College in Daytona Beach offers an optician technology program. It includes hands-on lab work so you practice the fitting and adjustment skills you will use every day on the job.

Hillsborough Community College in Tampa has an opticianry program on the south side of the Tampa Bay area. This is a practical option if you live in Hillsborough, Pinellas, or Pasco counties.

Miami Dade College in Miami runs one of the most established opticianry programs in South Florida. The program leads to an Associate in Science degree and prepares graduates for both the ABO and NCLE exams.

Palm Beach State College in Lake Worth serves students in Palm Beach County. Contact the college directly for current program details, start dates, and tuition.

If you want to become an optometrist instead

Opticians and optometrists do different jobs. Opticians fit eyewear. Optometrists examine eyes and write prescriptions. If you are considering the optometrist path, Nova Southeastern University in Fort Lauderdale runs a Doctor of Optometry (OD) program. An OD degree takes four years of professional school after completing undergraduate prerequisites. It is a longer, more expensive path, but it also comes with a broader clinical scope and higher earning potential.

Choosing the right program for your situation

When you compare programs, look at a few key factors: location, schedule, and whether the program is COA-accredited. Most Florida opticianry programs take about two years to complete and lead to an Associate in Science degree. Some offer part-time options if you are working while you study.

Tuition varies by college, and in-state community college tuition is generally lower than university tuition. Contact each school’s financial aid office to ask about Pell Grants, which are federal grants you do not repay, and any scholarships specific to health science students.

If you already work in an optical shop or a related health care setting, some programs give credit for relevant work experience. Ask the program coordinator about prior learning credit when you inquire about enrollment.

Career outlook for Florida opticians

Florida’s population is older than the national average, and the demand for prescription eyewear rises with age. That demographic reality supports steady demand for licensed opticians across the state. Cities like Miami, Tampa, Orlando, and Jacksonville all have active optical job markets. Smaller markets in the Panhandle and along the Space Coast also have openings, sometimes with less competition from other candidates.

With a license and ABO certification, you can work across the state without restrictions. Some experienced opticians move into optical practice management, frame buying, or optical lab supervision. Those roles often pay above the median wage shown in the salary table above.

The career does not require a four-year degree, which keeps your entry costs lower than many health care roles. A two-year associate degree, a passed licensing exam, and a willingness to keep learning through continuing education is the foundation most successful Florida opticians build on.

Next steps

If you are ready to move forward, start by contacting the programs listed on this page. Each school can tell you about application deadlines, prerequisite courses, and financial aid. The Florida Board of Opticianry website has the current licensing requirements and exam application forms. Taking time now to confirm the specific requirements for the year you plan to apply is the most practical first step you can take.

Browse the program links above, compare locations and schedules, and reach out to at least two programs to get the information you need to make a decision that fits your life.