Education Opportunities in Virginia

In Virginia, the Board for Hearing Aid Specialists and Opticians issues licenses to opticians. The Board is part of the Virginia Department of Professional and Occupational Regulation (DPOR).

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To become licensed as an optician in Virginia, an applicant must:

-Be at least eighteen years old

-Have a high school diploma (GED or equivalent)

-Be of good character as established by the Board

-Have satisfactorily completed a two year course from an approved school of opticianry, or have completed a two year apprenticeship in accordance with the standards established by the Division of Apprenticeship Training of the State Department of Labor and Industry and approved by the Virginia State Board of Opticians.  Options for schooling can be found below

-Pass an examination

-If an applicant has been previously licensed elsewhere he/she must be in good standing as a licensed optician in those jurisdictions, and meet the Board’s requirements.

-Individuals licensed out state may be eligible for license by endorsement upon approval by the Board. There is an examination fee required

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Requirements for renewal: 

-Licensure is renewable biennially

-Continuing Education is not required to retain licensure.

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Click here to read the regulations and find out more from the Board for Opticians, including:

Examination Schedule

Content of Optician examination

Licensing of out-of-state opticians

Getting endorsed to fit contact lenses

Out-of-state opticians

Licenses will be issued to out-of-state opticians if they have met the conditions listed above and if they have passed an exam substantially equivalent to Virginia’s.  Only the Board can make the determination - Contact them for more info and to get an application form.