How to Become an Optician in New Mexico

Embarking on a fulfilling career in a field you’re passionate about becomes a reality when you explore the possibility of becoming an optician in New Mexico.

Delve into the distinctive licensing and training requisites tailored to this region to pave your way toward a rewarding professional journey.

Optician Job Duties

Optical specialists assist customers in selecting the perfect eyewear to meet their individual preferences and requirements.

Key responsibilities associated with this role encompass:

• Preparing eyewear
• Fitting and adjusting eyewear
• Educating customers about eyewear issues and maintenance
• Keeping sales records
• Determining insurance co-pays
• Keeping the inventory
• Interacting with the labs that make lenses

Optician Training in New Mexico

While in New Mexico, securing employment as an optician doesn’t necessitate obtaining a license.

However, opting for licensure can significantly expedite your entry into the workforce.

Obtaining a license is often preferred by employers, expediting your chances of landing your first job.

Most employers express a preference for licensed opticians.

In New Mexico, aspiring opticians undergo the National Board of Examiners in Optometry (NBEO) test.

There’s also the option to take the National Contact Lens Examiner’s (NCLE) exam.

The New Mexico Board of Optometry oversees licensing in New Mexico.

To complete the licensing process, you’ll need to furnish essential paperwork, including:

• A high school diploma or GED
• Graduating from a training program or having a formal education
  • An associate’s degree diploma is highly appreciated by employers
• Good interpersonal skills

Southwestern Indian Polytechnic Institute

Should you opt for enrollment at the Southwestern Indian Polytechnic Institute, a diverse range of training programs awaits your selection.

These programs offer certificates and Associate’s degrees, each with its unique duration.

To qualify for program enrollment, prospective students are required to present the following documents:

• A high school diploma or GED
• Completing specific classes with a minimum grade of C
• 2 letters of recommendation
• OAT scores – not older than 5 years
• Minimum GPA of 2.75

The training programs for opticians exhibit varying durations, spanning from 7 months to 4 years.

Throughout your educational journey, you’ll engage in courses such as:

• Introduction to Optometry
• Ocular Anatomy
• Systems 1: Neuroscience
• Ocular Microbiology
• Ophthalmic Imaging
• Public Health Optometry
• Glaucoma
• Physics

Borough of Manhattan Community College

The optometry program offered at this college can be accessed online 100%.

Enrollment in classes at this community college is open throughout the year, with no fixed start dates.

There are no specific prerequisites for enrollment, although having at least a high school diploma or GED is recommended.

The course covers a range of topics, including:

• Simple math and algebra
• Soft contact lenses
• Gas-permeable contact lenses
• Legal responsibilities and ethics
• The parts of the eye
• Refractive errors
• Strabismus and amblyopia
• Other common ocular conditions
• Prism basics

Certification or Licensure for an Optician in New Mexico

After you finish the program, future opticians are required to navigate through a series of examinations.

Eligibility to sit for the exam is contingent upon meeting one of the following criteria:

• A license in a reciprocal state
• At least 3 years of experience
• Can be an apprenticeship of 3 years in the past 6 years
  • This can be from working as an optician in a state with no licensing requirements
• Graduate from an approved post-secondary optician program with a year of apprenticeship

Candidates should also take the National Opticianry Competency Examination (NOCE) in collaboration with the ABO.

This exam has 3 different levels:

• Beginner,
• Intermediate
• Advanced.

For the beginner level, candidates must show they can:

• Reading prescriptions,
• Fitting and dispensing spectacles
• Using standard ophthalmic equipment

A $200 fee is typically associated with this level, although many employers cover this cost for their employees.

Those aspiring to dispense contact lenses must undergo the National Contact Lens Examiners and pass the Contact Lens Registry Examination (CLRE), with a $200 fee.

As with the NOCE, employers commonly bear the expense of this fee.

The certification test covers topics such as:

• Pre-fitting for lenses,
• Diagnostic fitting,
• Dispensing of lenses,
• Patient education,
• Delivery
• Follow-up

The necessary paperwork for exam submission includes:

• Age over 18
• A high school diploma or GED
• To fill out an application
• To pay some fees
• A clean criminal record
• Passing the State Practical Examination
• Proof of completed training, education, or at least 3 years of experience

Optician Certification Renewal

After getting an optician license in New Mexico, professionals must engage in renewal procedures, involving the completion of 22 additional hours of education.

Optician Salary in New Mexico

In the State of New Mexico, the median annual salary for opticians ranges from $43,400 to $56,300.

This offers a competitive compensation landscape within the industry.

Regional Salary in New Mexico

Optician Schools by State