National Optician's Practical Examination

The National Commission of State Opticianry Regulatory Boards (NCSORB) which is a non-profit organization representing state licensing boards developed the National Optician’s Practical Examination.

The National Optician’s Practical Examination is comprised of two examinations: 1) Spectacles only that includes a multiple choice and skill examination; and 2) Spectacles and Contact Lens examination that includes a multiple-choice and skill examination for both examination components.

The Advanced Spectacles Examination is comprised of a multiple-choice examination consisting of 100 questions.

Depending on specific State licensing requirements, candidates may be required to take only the Advanced Spectacles Examination, or both the Spectacles and Contact Lens examinations, or just the Spectacles examination.
 

Requirements

Before scheduling an examination appointment, you must have already:

1. Met your State’s specific eligibility requirements;
2. Completed and submitted the examination registration form with appropriate payment to your State;
3. Received an examination authorization email/letter notifying you that you are eligible to sit for the exam and providing you with your Candidate ID.

Scheduling

Scheduling of an appointment can be accomplished one of two ways. You can call the Pearson VUE call center at 888-879-9099. An agent will assist you in finding the best date and center for your exam. You may also schedule your own appointment using the online scheduling tool on this page. You will be notified by email when your account has been activated after NCSORB sends Pearson VUE your authorization to test. This email will identify your username and password to enter the scheduling system.

After you schedule your test, Pearson VUE will send a confirmation letter listing your test date, your testing time, the address and phone number of the test center, and directions to the test center.

NDA Agreement

You will be required agree to an NDA Agreement (PDF, 331 KB) that will be presented at the beginning of your examination. Failure to read/accept the agreement within the allotted 5 minutes will result in your examination ending and a forfeit of your examination fees. Please take a moment to review the agreement now so that you are familiar with it when you sit for your examination.