👓 Optician License Requirements by State

Compare optician license requirements across all 50 states and DC — experience, exams, fees, and salary data.

Last updated 2026-05-08

By the numbers: 21 of 51 jurisdictions require a state-level optician license. Apprenticeship and Experience requirements range varies hours. Exam Application Fees range $175–$175. Most state Boards require Continuing Education at every Renewal cycle.

State	License Required	Experience	Exam Fee	Median Salary
ALAlabama	Not Required	—	—	$38,497
AKAlaska	Required	—	$175	$54,870
AZArizona	Required	—	$175	$42,922
ARArkansas	Not Required	—	—	$37,170
CACalifornia	Required	—	$175	$61,064
COColorado	Not Required	—	—	$47,790
CTConnecticut	Required	—	$175	$50,887
DEDelaware	Not Required	—	—	$44,250
DCDistrict of Columbia	Required	—	$175	$56,640
FLFlorida	Required	—	$175	$42,480
GAGeorgia	Required	—	$175	$41,152
HIHawaii	Required	—	$175	$59,737
IDIdaho	Not Required	—	—	$41,595
ILIllinois	Required	—	$175	$46,462
INIndiana	Not Required	—	—	$40,267
IAIowa	Not Required	—	—	$39,382
KSKansas	Not Required	—	—	$39,382
KYKentucky	Not Required	—	—	$39,382
LALouisiana	Not Required	—	—	$39,825
MEMaine	Not Required	—	—	$42,922
MDMaryland	Required	—	$175	$48,232
MAMassachusetts	Required	—	$175	$53,985
MIMichigan	Not Required	—	—	$41,595
MNMinnesota	Not Required	—	—	$46,020
MSMississippi	Not Required	—	—	$36,727
MOMissouri	Not Required	—	—	$39,825
MTMontana	Not Required	—	—	$42,480
NENebraska	Not Required	—	—	$39,825
NVNevada	Required	—	$175	$45,135
NHNew Hampshire	Not Required	—	—	$46,020
NJNew Jersey	Required	—	$175	$52,215
NMNew Mexico	Required	—	$175	$40,267
NYNew York	Required	—	$175	$57,525
NCNorth Carolina	Required	—	$175	$40,710
NDNorth Dakota	Not Required	—	—	$42,037
OHOhio	Not Required	—	—	$40,710
OKOklahoma	Not Required	—	—	$38,497
OROregon	Not Required	—	—	$48,675
PAPennsylvania	Not Required	—	—	$43,365
RIRhode Island	Required	—	$175	$45,577
SCSouth Carolina	Required	—	$175	$40,267
SDSouth Dakota	Not Required	—	—	$38,940
TNTennessee	Required	—	$175	$39,825
TXTexas	Required	—	$175	$41,595
UTUtah	Not Required	—	—	$42,922
VTVermont	Not Required	—	—	$44,692
VAVirginia	Required	—	$175	$45,135
WAWashington	Not Required	—	—	$52,215
WVWest Virginia	Not Required	—	—	$38,055
WIWisconsin	Not Required	—	—	$41,595
WYWyoming	Not Required	—	—	$42,037

Common questions about optician licensing

Do all states require a optician license?

No — 21 of 51 jurisdictions require a state-level optician license. The remainder license at the local or county level, or not at all. See the table above for the per-state breakdown.

How much does it cost to get a optician license?

Application fees across the states range $175–$175. Renewal fees and continuing education hours vary by jurisdiction — check the state-specific page for the exact numbers.

How many apprenticeship hours does a optician license typically require?

Required apprenticeship/work experience hours range varies across states, with most states requiring 2–4 years of supervised on-the-job training plus passing a board-administered exam.

Data last verified 2026. Salary data from BLS OEWS. Always verify with your state licensing board.