A dispensing optician fills prescriptions for corrective lenses written by optometrists or ophthalmologists. They help people select and fit eyeglasses and contact lenses. Read on to discover how to become an optician.

An optician works directly with consumers looking to purchase corrective lenses. They help people select eyeglasses, and make sure that the prescriptions for glasses and contacts are accurately filled. Opticians are the intermediary between the optometrist or ophthalmologist who writes the prescription and the ophthalmic laboratory technician who grinds the lenses and inserts them into the frame. Licensing and training requirements vary by state. If you're considering becoming an optician, it's important to do your research before making this major career decision. Start by reading the information below to see if this potentially rewarding career is the type of job choice you're looking for.

• State requirements vary, with 22 states requiring opticians to be licensed. Before enrolling in a training program, it's important to ensure that the program will satisfy any requirements imposed by the state you're planning to work in.

• States that do requiring licensing may require a degree in opticianry from an accredited school, two to four years of work experience, and passing grades on exams such as those offered by the American Board of Opticianry (ABO) and the National Contact Lens Examiners (NCLE).

• There are 21 accredited associate degree programs granting degrees in opticianry in the United States. Admission to the programs generally requires a high school diploma. There are also shorter programs that provide some background and training in the field, but these are not accredited.

• Even when formal education generally isn't required, exposure to applied science and math courses such as physics, anatomy, algebra, and trigonometry in either high school or college provides the kind of knowledge an optician will need on the job.

• Opticians generally receive most of their training on the job. Some larger eye care chains may have structured programs that include class work along with an apprenticeship.

• An apprentice optician works with patients under the supervision of an experienced optician, optometrist or ophthalmologist. The period of apprenticeship generally lasts about two years.

• An aspiring optician may be able to begin training directly out of high school, but should investigate state requirements to be sure that formal education is not required. After completing an apprenticeship, an optician can expect to earn between $24,000-$39,000 a year.

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