student looking closely into optical equipment to adjust glasses

Contact

Janet Alspaugh
Director

Admissions Questions

Stephanie L. Toomer
Admissions Counselor
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Plan of Study

(Courses by Semester)
* This program is financial aid eligible.
* This program can be completed online.

Optical Apprentice Certificate

Short Term

The Optical Apprentice curriculum is designed to meet the educational requirements of the North Carolina Board of Opticians for opticianry apprentices.

Course work includes the competencies necessary to analyze and interpret prescriptions and to accurately fit and dispense eyewear and contact lenses.

Graduates should qualify for the academic requirements of the apprenticeship program. Upon completion of all requirements of the apprenticeship program, graduates will be eligible to sit for the North Carolina State Board of Opticians licensing examination.


North Carolina Residents:

  • The six-course certificate is completed 100 percent online and spans the duration of the student’s Apprenticeship.
  • Students who intend to sit for the NC Licensure Exam must register as an apprentice with the NC State Board of Opticians to meet the exam eligibility requirements. Yearly renewal of Apprenticeship is required by the State Board.
  • The State Board Apprenticeship program is 2.5 years long and the Durham Tech certificate program is 1.5 years long. Students should begin the admissions process shortly after Apprenticeship registration and begin taking certificate courses within 6 to 12 months of Apprenticeship.
  • Apprenticeship requires students to be employed full time at a location that is registered as a training site by the NC State Board of Opticians.
  • If place of employment is not a State Board registered training site, the business must register with the state before training can begin.
  • Durham Tech strongly recommends students work under the direct supervision of a licensed Optician at their training establishment, however students may work under the supervision of a Doctor of Optometry or an Ophthalmologist.
  • There is no direct connection between Durham Tech, the State Board, and registered training facilities. On-the-job training, requirements, and outlines for training facilities are handled through the NC State Board of Opticians.
  • Please see the NC State Board of Opticians Apprenticeship Application form.
     

Non-North Carolina Residents:

  • The six-course certificate is completed 100 percent online.
  • The program may be completed for educational purposes only or as an option for education mandated by the specific State Licensure Board.
  • Students applying for licensure within their state should contact their specific State Board to ensure this program meets their state’s requirements.
  • Students are not required to be registered as an Apprentice with the NC State Board of Opticians as they will not be sitting for the NC Licensure Exam.

The Opticianry program is accredited by the Commission on Opticianry Accreditation and approved by the North Carolina State Board of Opticians.

View more information about the program and licensure outcomes, course participation, and the program's mission, goal, and objectives. Students also have the opportunity to gain experience in the on-campus Optical Shop.

How to Apply

Program applications are accepted February 1– July 15.

Before you Apply

View the Admissions Checklist. Attend an information session (recommended). They are listed in the Upcoming Events section below.

Apply to the College

New students who are not currently enrolled at Durham Tech should apply to the College using the Health Tech Students then Steps to Apply.

Apply to the Program

Apply to the Opticianry program using the program application form.

Submit program applications electronically to Admissions, Registration, and Records (not Health and Wellness). Drop off locations are also listed on the Electronic Document Submission webpage.

Estimated Tuition & Fees

$1,472

Location

Main Campus, Online

Credit Hours

17

First-Semester Courses

Course Number Title Credit Hours
OPH-101 Math for Opticians 3
OPH-121 Anatomy & Phys-Eye 3

Suggested Paths

Short Term

(12 months or less)

Long Term

(More than 12 months)

University Transfer

headshot of Enzo Anchetta

“I really like how challenging the Opticianry Program is at Durham Tech. This field is something there will always be a need for. No matter how fast technology advances, there’s going to be someone behind the machines that needs to understand how things work and I look forward to fulfilling that role as a licensed optician.”

—Enzo Anchetta