| State | License Name | Req Out of State | Online Verification | Req Pharmacies | Notes |
| AK | Dispensing Optician License | Yes | Y | Yes |
A: The Dispensing Opticians License does not apply to Alaska licensed physicians and optometrists. Contact lenses shall be fitted in conjunction with and under the supervision of a licensed physician or an optometrist. |
| AL | Optometrist License | Yes | Y | No |
E: An Optician can provide these items as well. See the AL Optometry Law 34-22-4 (b):A license to practice optometry shall not be required for the sale, preparation, or dispensing of eyeglasses or spectacles in a retail optical dispensary or from a store, shop, or other permanently established place of business with an optical department on prescription of a duly licensed physician skilled in diseases of the eyes or a duly licensed optometrist authorized to practice under the laws of this state. Contact lenses may be sold or dispensed in a retail optical dispensary or other permanently established place of business with an optical department only when authorized by an optometrist or ophthalmologist, the prescription therefor contains all necessary data, and the prescription has not expired. This section shall not be construed as authorizing any optician or other person selling eyeglasses or contact lenses on prescription as authorized above to use any instrumentation or determine any data by performing any type of examination or corneal evaluation necessary for the fitting of contact lenses or to use any drugs in relation thereto.
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| AR | Optometric Physician License | Yes | Y | Yes |
E: To dispense eyeglasses in Arkansas the supplier must hold a dispensing optician license/registration and an office permit. These licenses shall not apply to Arkansas licensed Ophthalmologists or Optometrists. The fitting, dispensing, selling, or supplying of contact lenses must be done by a licensed Optometrist or licensed Physician skilled in disease of the eye. |
| AS | No License Required | No | - | No | |
| AZ | Dispensing Optician License | No | Y | Yes |
D: The Dispensing Optician and Optical Establishment licenses do not apply to physicians or optometrists licensed to practice under the laws of this state. |
| AZ | Optical Establishment License | No | Y | Yes |
D: The Dispensing Optician and Optical Establishment licenses do not apply to physicians or optometrists licensed to practice under the laws of this state. |
| CA | Registered Contact Lens Dispenser | Yes | Y | No |
E: A registered Dispensing Optician may dispense spectacle lenses and contact lenses. The registration requirement does not apply to Optometrists, Physicians and Surgeons licensed in CA. Out-of-state suppliers that sell, ship, mail, or deliver contact lenses to a patient in California must obtain a Non-Resident Contact Lens Seller Registration. H: The Nonresident Contact Lens Sellers (NCLS) certificate authorizes a business located outside of California to ship, mail, or deliver in any manner, replacement contact lenses at retail, pursuant to a valid prescription, to a patient at a California address. |
| CO | No License Required | No | - | No | |
| CT | Optician License | Yes | Y | Yes |
F: The Connecticut Optician License and Optical Seller Permit is not required for certified optometrists, physicians or surgeons particularly trained and specializing in the diseases of the eye. |
| CT | Optical Selling Permit | Yes | Y | Yes |
F: The Connecticut Optician License and Optical Seller Permit is not required for certified optometrists, physicians or surgeons particularly trained and specializing in the diseases of the eye. |
| DC | No License Required | No | - | No | |
| DE | Therapeutic Optometrist Registration Certificate | Yes | Y | Yes | |
| FL | Optical Establishment Permit | No | Y | Yes |
F: The Optician License and Optical Establishment Permit requirement does not apply to Florida licensed Physicians or Optometrists. |
| FL | Opticians License | Yes | Y | Yes |
F: The Optician License and Optical Establishment Permit requirement does not apply to Florida licensed Physicians or Optometrists. |
| GA | Dispensing Optician | Yes | Y | Yes |
B: Licensed opticians prepare and dispense lenses, spectacles, eyeglasses, contact lenses and optical devices as authorized by a written prescription from an optometrist or physician skilled in diseases of the eye. A licensed Optometrist or Ophthalmologist may also dispense these items. |
| GU | No License Required | No | - | No | |
| HI | Dispensing Optician License | Yes | Y | Yes |
C: The Dispensing Optician License requirement does not apply to Physicians, Optometrists, or Ophthalmologists licensed under the laws of the State. |
| IA | No License Required | No | - | No | |
| ID | Optometrist License | Yes | Y | No |
C: An optician is permitted to grind or supply, dispense, replace or duplicate any ophthalmic lens in conformity with the prescription or instruction of any optometrist or physician duly licensed to practice within the state. Idaho currently has no legislation that establishes optician training, certification, or licensing requirements. (Added 06/22/2015) |
| IL | Optometrist License | Yes | Y | No |
H: Conventional Contact and Prosthetic Cataract lenses may be sold or dispensed in a retail optical dispensary or other permanently established place of business with an optical department only when authorized by an optometrist licensed to prescribe, fit or furnish these lenses. Illinois licensed pharmacists or physicians may also dispense these items. |
| IN | No License Required | No | - | No |
H: No State License Required; May be licensed Optometrist or Ophthalmologist |
| KS | Contact Lens Distribution Registration | Yes | Y | Yes |
H: A contact lens distribution license is needed to mail or deliver contact lenses to patients in Kansas using commercial courier, overnight or other delivery services. The license requirement does not apply to Kansas licensed optometrists and physicians or suppliers that operate from an optical storefront only and do not deliver or mail any contact lenses to a person’s residence. |
| KY | Opthalmic Dispenser License | No | Y | No | |
| LA | Durable Medical Equipment Permit (DME Permit) | Yes | Y | No |
D: Effective May 02, 2012, the DME Permit will authorize the procurement, possession and provision of legend devices, medical gas and DME to Louisiana citizens. It specifically excludes authority for the procurement, possession, or provision of prescription drugs. It is required for all such suppliers regardless of their location. The Durable Medical Equipment (DME) Permit does not apply to the following persons or entities - unless these persons or entities have separate business entities engaged in the business of providing the covered items to patients at their home: (1) Chiropractors; (2) Dentists; (3) Occupational therapists; (4) Optometrists; (5) Physical therapists; (6) Physicians; (7) Podiatrists; (8) Respiratory therapists; (9) Speech pathologists; (11) Distributors; (12) Home health agencies; (13) Hospice programs; (14) Hospitals; (15) Long term care facilities; (16) Manufacturers; and (17) Pharmacies.
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| MA | Dispensing Optician | Yes | Y | No |
K: May also be licensed as an Optometrist or Ophthalmologist. |
| MD | No License Required | No | - | No | |
| ME | Optometrist License | Yes | Y | No |
D: A supplier who fills contact lens prescriptions by mail or carrier for a patient residing in Maine, other than an optometrist or physician licensed in this State, must hold a Mail Order Contact Lens Supplier license issued by the Maine Board of Pharmacy. |
| MI | No License Required | No | - | No | |
| MN | No License Required | No | - | No | |
| MO | No License Required | No | - | No | |
| MP | No License Required | No | - | No | |
| MS | Optometrist License | Yes | Y | Yes |
D: An optical dispenser may fill the written contact lens prescription; however, any instructions on the proper fit of contact lenses must be provided by a licensed optometrist or ophthalmologist. The supplier may contract with a qualified individual to provide this service to the patient. |
| MT | No License Required | No | - | No | |
| NC | Optometrist | Yes | Y | Yes |
C: An Optician License is acceptable to provide eyeglasses and contact lenses. See the Agency information for contact number. |
| ND | No License Required | No | - | No | |
| NE | No License Required | No | - | No | |
| NH | Ophthalmic Dispenser | No | - | Yes |
A: The Ophthalmic Dispenser license requirement does not apply to licensed physicians and surgeons authorized to practice medicine or surgery and licensed optometrists authorized to practice optometry under the laws of this state. |
| NH | Out of State Contact Lens Dispenser | Yes | - | No |
C: An Out-of-state supplier dispensing contact lenses is required to obtain an Out-of-State Contact Lens Dispenser license issued by the NH Board of Optometry. If the out-of-state supplier is a pharmacy registered in NH, they are exempt from the obtaining this license. |
| NJ | Ophthalmic Dispensers | Yes | Y | Yes | |
| NM | Seller or Dispenser of Contact Lenses Registration | Yes | Y | No |
A: The Seller or Dispenser of Contact Lenses Registration does not apply to New Mexico licensed Pharmacies, Optometrists or Physicians. |
| NV | Ophthalmic Dispenser License | Yes | Y | Yes |
C: The Nevada Ophthalmic Dispenser License is not required if the supplier holds a Nevada Optometrist or Ophthalmologist License. |
| NY | Ophthalmic Dispenser License | Yes | Y | Yes |
C: New York State law requires prescription eyewear to be fitted and dispensed in person by a licensed practitioner (Ophthalmic Dispenser/Optician, Optometrist, or Ophthalmologist). |
| OH | Contact Lens Optician License | Yes | Y | Yes |
D: The Spectacle/Contact Lens Optician License does not apply to Ohio licensed Optometrists or Physicians. |
| OK | No License Required | No | - | No | |
| OR | No License Required | No | - | No | |
| PA | Drug & Device Registration, Category of Devices | No | Y | No |
A: The Drug & Device Registration is required for medical device retailers located in Pennsylvania that are physically receiving, storing and handling, shipping medical devices/equipment, DME, or surgical supplies at the Pennsylvania storefront, warehouse, etc. The Drug & Device Registration does not apply to in state licensed healthcare facilities, pharmacies, and physicians/practitioners dispensing devices directly to their own patients within their respective scope of practice or license; out of state medical device retailers nor practitioners (i.e., physicians) /pharmacies supplying their own patients.
E: A retailer of eye glasses and contact lenses must obtain the Drug, Device & Cosmetic Registration License. A National Contact Lens Certification is needed to fit contact lenses for a specific intended wearer in PA. The licenses do not apply to Optometrists and Physicians licensed under the laws of this state. |
| PR | No License Required | No | - | No | |
| RI | Optometrist License | Yes | Y | Yes |
C: A Rhode Island licensed optician may only dispense eyeglasses. Rhode Island licensed physicians and optometrists may dispense eyeglasses and contact lenses. |
| SC | Contact Lens Dispensing Optician License | Yes | Y | Yes |
C: The Opticians and Contact Lens Dispenser licenses do not apply to physicians licensed in this State for the practice of medicine or osteopathy and optometrists licensed under the laws of this State to practice optometry. |
| SD | No License Required | No | - | No | |
| TN | Dispensing Optician License | Yes | Y | Yes | |
| TX | No License Required | No | - | No | |
| UT | Optometrist | Yes | Y | Yes | |
| VA | Optometrist License | No | Y | Yes |
B: Products and services may also be rendered by an Optician if a prescription for glasses and contact lenses is written by an Optometrist or Ophthalmologist. |
| VI | No License Required | No | - | No | |
| VT | Optometrist | Yes | Y | Yes |
C: A Vermont licensed Optician may only dispense conventional eyeglasses. Vermont licensed Optometrists or Ophthalmologists may dispense eyeglasses and contact/cataract lenses. |
| WA | Optician License | Yes | Y | No | |
| WI | No License Required | No | - | No | |
| WV | Optometrist | Yes | Y | Yes |
D: Opticians may only supply lenses and glasses based on prescriptions from an optometrist or ophthalmologist. Per the West Virginia Board of Optometry, opticians are not licensed in the state of West Virginia. |
| WY | No License Required | No | - | No |