American Board of Opticianry
The American Board of Opticianry (ABO) is a national professional organization dedicated to certifying opticians. It has a sister organization, known as the N.C.L.E.- National Contact Lens Examiners.
From the website:
ABO and NCLE are national not-for-profit organizations for the voluntary certification of ophthalmic dispensers. ABO, the American Board of Opticianry, certifies opticians – those who dispense and work with spectacles. NCLE, the National Contact Lens Examiners, certifies those ophthalmic dispensers who fit and work with contact lenses.[1]
Both groups administer testing for certification twice a year in spring and autumn sessions and are considered not-for-profit even though a fee of $225, price updated 01/2012, (per test) is required in order to be able to take the certification test. A certification renewal is required every 3 years and is attached to an $85 fee and twelve Continuing Education credits. Failure to renew within the third year puts the optician in a "suspension year", during which he or she can still practice and complete Continuing Education credits. As of March, 2010, a $15 late charge is added to the renewal fee if the optician is in his/her suspension year.
Upon successful completion of the exam an optician receives a personalized certificate.