Becoming an Optician in Tennessee

Overall job growth for opticians in the U.S. is strong, at 4 percent according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS). But, in Tennessee, it is the same with 7-percent growth. This means that anyone learning and training to work as an optician in Tennessee right now will have a lot of great opportunities for jobs in the coming years. Opticians are eye care professionals who work with physicians and optometrists to fill lens prescriptions, educate patients, and help people pick out and use their frames.[En Español]

Optician Certification in Tennessee

To work as a dispensing optician in Tennessee you must be licensed through the state Board of Dispensing Opticians. To qualify for licensing you can complete one of two options. The first is to complete an approved post-secondary optician program and to pass the exams set by the National Contact Lens Examiners (NCLE) Contact Lens Registry and the American Board of Opticians. The approved program includes classwork and hands-on training.

The second option is to complete a three-year apprenticeship program and pass the same exams. The apprenticeship must be completed under the supervision of a licensed ophthalmologist, optometrist, or optician. It must include a minimum of 5,250 hours of working and learning. Apprentices must be registered by the Board.

ABO Certification Exam

In addition to the state licensing requirements, many opticians in Tennessee choose to pursue additional certification from the American Board of Opticians (ABO). The ABO exam is a comprehensive national test that covers a variety of topics related to opticianry. Candidates must pass both the written and practical components of the exam with at least an 80 percent score. Passing this exam demonstrates a commitment to excellence and may make you more competitive in the job market.

Optician Certification Training Programs in Tennessee

While you can complete an apprenticeship program with any professional willing to take you on for training, there is only one school in the state that has an approved program for the educational path to becoming a licensed dispensing optician. There are other programs accredited by the Commission on Opticianry Accreditation that the state will accept, but they are in other states.

In Tennessee, the approved program is the associate of applied science degree in opticianry at Roane State Community College in Harriman. Students in this program can complete coursework in two years, and the classes include general education as well as ophthalmic courses, like dispensing, eye anatomy, contact lenses, optics, and ophthalmic materials. Admission to this program is competitive with just 30 spots per year available.

Continuing Education Requirements

Once you are licensed as a dispensing optician in Tennessee, the state requires that you complete at least 24 hours of continuing education units (CEUs) every two years to keep your license active. CEUs can be obtained through attending seminars, classes, or conferences related to opticianry or other eye care topics.

You can also get credits for writing articles, teaching classes, or creating videos related to opticianry. Tennessee Board of Dispensing Opticians has the final say on what qualifies as acceptable CEUs. With a license and approved CEUs in hand, you can be confident that you are ready to work in Tennessee with your career as an optician.

Outlook and Salaries for Opticians in Tennessee

Growth for opticianry careers in Tennessee is very strong. The number of positions available for licensed professionals continues to increase. In 2020, for instance, there were 1,460 employed opticians in the state, and by 2030 there are expected to be 1,560, a growth rate of over 7 percent. Growth is also strong for related careers including ophthalmic medical technicians and optometrists.

According to the BLS, the average annual salary for opticians in Tennessee in 2021 was $37,510. The average hourly salary was $18.03. For ophthalmic medical technicians, the average salary that year was $37,070. For optometrists, it was $100,730. Optometrists earn so much more because they go through many more years of training and education to be licensed to examine and diagnose patients and write prescriptions.

Salaries in Tennessee by Occupation

Profession	Employment	Mean Hourly Wage	Mean Annual Wage
Opticians, Dispensing	1,760	$17.81	$37,040
Ophthalmic Medical Technicians	820	$16.86	$35,060
Ophthalmic Laboratory Technicians	590	$15.03	$31,270
Optometrists	670	$57.90	$120,430

Certified Dispensing Optician Salaries in Tennessee by Region

Region	Total Employment	Mean Hourly Wage	Mean Annual Salary	10% Percentile	25% Percentile	Median	75% Percentile	90% Percentile
Chattanooga, TN-GA	60	$17.29	$35,970	$24,470	$28,230	$35,090	$43,370	$50,650
Clarksville, TN-KY	60	$19.66	$40,900	$24,370	$29,120	$40,210	$53,590	$59,680
Johnson City, TN	50	$16.16	$33,610	$23,310	$26,980	$32,090	$38,650	$47,940
Kingsport-Bristol-Bristol, TN-VA	70	$20.04	$41,690	$27,930	$34,150	$41,890	$49,730	$57,140
Knoxville, TN	250	$17.73	$36,870	$25,610	$32,540	$36,740	$41,720	$48,470
Memphis, TN-MS-AR	220	$17.34	$36,080	$25,840	$28,190	$33,170	$40,010	$53,330
Morristown, TN	**	$13.40	$27,860	$16,200	$17,420	$19,450	$39,800	$50,060
Nashville-Davidson--Murfreesboro--Franklin, TN	710	$18.01	$37,460	$22,690	$28,400	$39,970	$46,240	$50,010

Optician Employment in Tennessee

As a licensed optician in Tennessee, you will have many options for work as this career continues to grow. The most common workplace for an optician is an optometry office. There they assist optometrists by working with patients to measure them for frames, pick out frames, assign prescriptions, show them how to use contact lenses, and fill prescriptions.

Opticians should have the knowledge of Corrective eye care solutions, multifocal lens considerations, eye care practices and diagnostic fitting.

Opticians may also be hired by clinics and hospitals, doctors’ offices, and any retail store that sells glasses and frames. With just two to three years of education and training, you could be ready to land a great job as a licensed optician in Tennessee.

Neighbor States

Residents of Tennessee may also wish to review their options in Kentucky, Virginia, North Carolina, Georgia, Alabama, Mississippi, Arkansas, and Missouri.

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