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Optician Resume Example
Updated: March 2026
Build your CVOptician Resume - Entry Level
Jane Doe
jane.doe@email.com | +1 555 412 7836 | Boston, Massachusetts
Professional Summary
Detail-oriented optician graduate with an Associate of Applied Science in Ophthalmic Dispensing from Benjamin Franklin Institute of Technology. ABO-certified with clinical training in lensometry, frame fitting, and contact lens insertion instruction. Proficient in Eyefinity Encompass and experienced assisting 20+ patients per day. Eager to deliver accurate, patient-centered eyewear dispensing at a licensed optical practice.
Education
Associate Degree in Ophthalmic Dispensing
Sep 2023 – May 2025Benjamin Franklin Institute of Technology
GPA: 3.8 / 4.0
Relevant Courses: Ophthalmic Lens I & II, Contact Lens Theory, Vision Care Clinical I-IV, Ophthalmic Board Review
Accreditation: Commission on Opticianry Accreditation (COA)
High School Diploma High School Diploma
Sep 2019 – Jun 2023Boston Latin School
Work Experience
Optician Intern
Jan 2025 – May 2025LensCrafters
- • Assisted licensed opticians in dispensing eyeglasses to 15-20 patients daily, interpreting prescriptions from optometrists and ophthalmologists
- • Performed lensometer verification on 30+ pairs of lenses per day to confirm prescription accuracy before patient pickup
- • Took pupillary distance and segment height measurements for 8-10 progressive lens fittings per week, achieving zero remakes in final month of internship
Skills & Languages
Lensometer Operation ●●●●
Prescription Interpretation ●●●●
Eyefinity Encompass ●●●●
Frame Fitting & Adjustment ●●●●
Contact Lens Patient Education ●●●●
English– Native
Mandarin– Intermediate
Certifications
ABO Certification (ABOC) – American Board of Opticianry, 2025
Massachusetts Optician License – Massachusetts Division of Professional Licensure, 2025
CPR/AED Certification – American Heart Association, 2025
Optician Resume - Senior Professional
John Doe
Professional Summary
ABO- and NCLE-certified Licensed Optician with 9+ years of experience in high-volume optical retail and private ophthalmology practice. Proven expertise in progressive lens dispensing, contact lens fitting, and team leadership. Skilled in Eyefinity Encompass, Compulink Advantage, and VisionWeb lab ordering. Consistent record of exceeding optical sales targets by 20%+ and reducing eyewear remake rates to under 2%.
Work Experience
Lead Optician
Jun 2020 – PresentAmerica's Best Contacts & Eyeglasses (National Vision)
- • Supervise a team of 4 opticians and 2 optical assistants in a location serving 60+ patients per day
- • Reduced eyewear remake rate from 5.4% to 1.8% over 18 months by standardizing PD measurement and progressive fitting protocols
- • Exceeded monthly optical frame and lens sales targets by an average of 22% across 3 consecutive years
Licensed Dispensing Optician
Aug 2016 – May 2020Walmart Vision Center
- • Dispensed corrective eyewear to 40-50 patients per day, interpreting complex prescriptions including high myopia and astigmatism corrections
- • Performed contact lens fittings and trained 200+ new contact lens wearers annually on insertion, removal, and care routines
- • Processed insurance claims for VSP, EyeMed, and Davis Vision plans, reducing billing errors by 35% after implementing a VisionWeb workflow
Education
Associate Degree in Opticianry
Sep 2014 – May 2016Hillsborough Community College
Accreditation: Commission on Opticianry Accreditation (COA)
Skills & Languages
Progressive Lens Dispensing ●●●●
Contact Lens Fitting (NCLE) ●●●●
Eyefinity & Compulink ●●●●
Insurance Billing & VisionWeb ●●●●
English– Native
French– Intermediate
Certifications
ABO Advanced Certification (ABO-AC) – American Board of Opticianry, 2021
NCLE Certification (NCLE-C) – National Contact Lens Examiners, 2017
Georgia Optician License – Georgia Secretary of State - Professional Licensing, 2016
How to Write an Optician Resume
Optical employers scan for ABO and NCLE certifications, state licensure, and hands-on dispensing skills. About 22 states - including California, Florida, and New York - mandate a license to practice, so those credentials belong at the top of every optician resume.
New graduates from COA-accredited programs (Hillsborough Community College, Benjamin Franklin Institute of Technology) should list clinical hours, ABO/NCLE exam results, and equipment proficiency: lensometer, PD ruler, frame tracer, and autorefractor. Courses such as Ophthalmic Lens Theory, Contact Lens Theory, and Vision Care Clinical are strong ATS keywords.
Experienced opticians lead with metrics: patients served per day, frame sales targets exceeded, contact lens fitting volume, and remake-rate reductions. Name your software - Eyefinity Encompass, Compulink Advantage, Eye Cloud Pro, VisionWeb - plus insurance billing for VSP, EyeMed, and Davis Vision. Both templates below are free to download as PDF or DOCX.
New graduates from COA-accredited programs (Hillsborough Community College, Benjamin Franklin Institute of Technology) should list clinical hours, ABO/NCLE exam results, and equipment proficiency: lensometer, PD ruler, frame tracer, and autorefractor. Courses such as Ophthalmic Lens Theory, Contact Lens Theory, and Vision Care Clinical are strong ATS keywords.
Experienced opticians lead with metrics: patients served per day, frame sales targets exceeded, contact lens fitting volume, and remake-rate reductions. Name your software - Eyefinity Encompass, Compulink Advantage, Eye Cloud Pro, VisionWeb - plus insurance billing for VSP, EyeMed, and Davis Vision. Both templates below are free to download as PDF or DOCX.
The information on this page is general career guidance and does not replace official regulatory advice. Verify current requirements with the relevant professional body.
FAQ
Do I need a license to work as an optician in the United States?
About 22 states - including California, Florida, New York, and Massachusetts - require a state optician license. Licensed states typically mandate passing the ABO and NCLE exams, completing a COA-accredited associate degree or 2-4 years of apprenticeship, and renewing every 2-3 years with continuing education. In non-licensed states, ABO and NCLE certification is still strongly recommended and often required by employers like LensCrafters, America's Best, and Costco Optical.
What is the difference between ABO and NCLE certification for opticians?
ABO (American Board of Opticianry) covers spectacle lens dispensing, optics, and frame fitting. NCLE (National Contact Lens Examiners) covers contact lens fitting, patient management, and care regimens. Each exam has 100 multiple-choice questions at $225. Both offer Basic, Advanced, and Master's levels. Holding both demonstrates full-scope dispensing competency and is required for licensure in most regulated states. Renewal every 3 years requires 12 CE credits (ABO) or 18 CE credits (NCLE).
What software should an optician list on their resume?
Key platforms include Eyefinity Encompass (appointments, insurance, lab orders), Compulink Advantage (EHR and front-desk), Eye Cloud Pro (cloud EHR with POS and inventory), and VisionWeb (lab ordering and insurance processing). Also list lensometer, frame tracer, and lens edger experience from manufacturers like Nidek, Topcon, or Huvitz. Digital PD measurement tools and virtual try-on systems are increasingly common and worth mentioning.
What is the average salary for an optician in the United States?
Per the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, the median annual wage for dispensing opticians was $46,560 as of May 2024 (~$22.38/hour). Entry-level roles pay $28,000-$36,000; experienced licensed opticians earn $55,000-$68,000. Massachusetts averages about $60,740/year. Salaries are highest in metro areas and states requiring licensure. Opticians in ophthalmology offices or low-vision clinics often earn above the national median. www.bls.gov ↗
How can an optician advance their career beyond the dispensing floor?
Earning ABO Advanced (ABO-AC), NCLE Advanced (NCLE-AC), or the Master Optician Designation (ABOM) opens senior and supervisory roles. Many opticians advance to Optical Manager, overseeing operations, scheduling, and inventory. Others pursue JCAHPO certifications (COT, COMT) to move into clinical ophthalmic roles. Additional paths include ophthalmic sales for lens or frame manufacturers, teaching in COA-accredited programs, or opening an independent optical practice.