How to Work in the U.S. As a Foreign-Educated Optician

Many individuals choose to pursue careers as opticians as it tends to be a fulfilling and rewarding career. Plus, it comes with some benefits such as a reliable, growing career field and decent pay. On average, opticians make between $28,910 and $60,280, with the median pay being $37,570, according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics. If you’ve obtained your optician education in a foreign country, you may be wondering how to bring your practice over to the United States. Our guide helps you understand the details of this process and answers essential questions such as:

• What Is the Process for Working in the U.S. As a Foreign-Educated Optician?
• How Much Does It Cost to Work as a Foreign-Educated Optician in the U.S.?
• How Long Does It Take To Work as a Foreign-Educated Optician in the U.S.?
• Are There Any Restrictions to Working as a Foreign-Educated Optician in the U.S.?
• What Are the State-Specific Requirements for Foreign-Educated Opticians?
• What Are the Immigration Requirements for Foreign-Educated Opticians?
• Where Can I Get a Certified Translation?

What Is the Process for Working in the U.S. As a Foreign-Educated Optician?

This process involves several important steps such as meeting education requirements for opticians, passing examinations, and securing licensing in the state you wish to work in. Licensing requirements do vary by state, so make sure to pay attention to the specific details and requirements of your chosen state’s licensing board as you review the steps below. The process for working as a foreign-educated optician in the United States includes the following:

1. Make sure you meet all education requirements for opticians, as you will need these before you are eligible to take the examinations required for licensing as an optician. A high school education and an associate’s degree in the field typically suffice; you will need to verify that your foreign education meets these basic credentials by obtaining a credential evaluation. Work with your state’s licensing board to determine if a specific credential evaluation service needs to be used or select a credential evaluation service from the National Association of Credential Evaluation Services (NACES) or the Association of International Credential Evaluators (AICE). You will need a certified translation of your original documents to obtain an accurate credential evaluation.

In addition to basic education requirements, you will need to show proof that you have completed at least a two-year apprenticeship program as an optician. States may require different lengths of apprenticeship programs, so make sure that you double-check your state’s requirements and collect all of the paperwork needed to show that you have completed this step.

1. Once you have ensured that your foreign education meets U.S. requirements and you have completed your internship, you are eligible to take certification exams given by the American Board of Opticianry (ABO) and National Contact Lens Examiners (NCLE); these organizations work together to provide and oversee certification exams and are often abbreviated as the ABO-NCLE. The specific exams that you might need to take will vary based on state requirements for optician licensing, so make sure to double-check with your state opticianry licensing board.
2. After you have passed all required examinations, you will be able to apply for licensing in your chosen state. Follow the instructions provided by the state licensing board, submit any fees and documents, and be prepared to complete continuing education or licensing renewal requirements on an ongoing basis after you have received your license.
3. Before you can officially practice as an optician in the U.S., you will need to make sure that you have met all immigration requirements. Submit applications for visas or a green card to ensure that you can travel to the U.S. to study, work, and live in your chosen state, practicing as an optician. An immigration lawyer may be necessary to help you with this process.

How Much Does It Cost to Work as a Foreign-Educated Optician in the U.S.?

The cost of working as a foreign-educated optician in the U.S. depends on how much additional education you might need to complete, the cost of the ABO-NCLE certification exams that are required by your state, state licensing fees, and the cost of immigration. Overall, this process tends to be a few thousand dollars, with certification exams and state licensing being a few hundred dollars each and the immigration process costing anywhere from $500 to several thousand. This cost may increase if you need to obtain significant opticianry education in the U.S. or if you need legal assistance during the immigration process.

How Long Does It Take To Work as a Foreign-Educated Optician in the U.S.?

It may take between 2 and 4 years on average to become a foreign-educated optician in the U.S., depending on if you need to complete any additional education requirements, if you need to complete any part of an apprenticeship, and how long it takes you to study for and pass certification exams provided by the ABO-NCLE. State licensing may take several months to complete as you gather all the necessary information and submit it, and you should also take into account the length of the immigration process. Obtaining a visa might take a while, and you should expect your application to be processed within 13 to 24 months, depending on your specific situation.

Are There Any Restrictions to Working as a Foreign-Educated Optician in the U.S.?

After you have completed all education, examination, and state licensing requirements in addition to meeting immigration requirements, you will be able to practice as an optician in your chosen state without issue. Make sure that you pay attention to any ongoing education, license renewal, and immigration requirements that you may need to complete to ensure your practice continues uninterrupted.

What Are the State-Specific Requirements for Foreign-Educated Opticians?

State requirements for opticians vary, but almost every state requires that aspiring opticians meet basic education and apprenticeship experience requirements. These requirements are typically an associate’s degree in the field and a two-year apprenticeship, but study and experience lengths can be longer or shorter than this. All states will require that aspiring opticians complete certification exams provided by the ABO-NCLE, and many states will also require state-specific ethics and practical exams. You can expect to submit a license application packet and pay a fee before your optician’s license is awarded, and you will need to pay attention to any continuing education and ongoing license renewal requirements for your state.

What Are the Immigration Requirements for Foreign-Educated Opticians?

Opticians wanting to move to the United States for work have a few different immigration options to choose from. Student visas may be applicable if you need to finish your optician education in the U.S., or you may choose from working visas like the H-1B visa for specialty occupations or general employment-based visas. Immigration requirements are very situation-dependent, and what works for one individual may not be the best option for you. Make sure to research all of your immigration and visa choices before settling on one, and don’t hesitate to contact an immigration lawyer to help you along with this process.

Where Can I Get a Certified Translation?

Certified translations are vital when it comes to becoming a foreign-educated optician practicing in the U.S., and you will need to make sure that you obtain reliable translations of your important original documents. These documents will be used to show your proof of education and apprenticeship experience, and they may also be a necessary part of your visa applications. At our online store, you can obtain reliable certified translations for any of your important documents, including:

• Diplomas
• Academic transcripts
• Business licenses and certifications
• Resumes and employment records
• Birth certificates

Order Your Certified Translation