How to become an optician in BC

Q: What do you need to get in?

Grade 12 graduation or equivalent; English Studies 12 with a minimum C or C+ grade; Foundations of Math 11 or Pre-calculus 11 with minimum C; Physics 11 or Chemistry 11 (recommended). Some schools ask for more; check the school page.

Licensed Optician (CHCPBC / NACOR) · British Columbia

Fit glasses and contact lenses from a prescription. You need a two-year college diploma, a national exam and registration.

How long

2 years (accredited diploma + 1,000-hr practicum + NACOR exams)

Cost

Not published

2 schools

Who licenses it

CHCPBC

🏫Where you can take this: 2 schools

📚Douglas College 🔬Stenberg College

THE ROUTE

The route at a glance

STEP 1

Accredited Dispensing Optician Diploma

Complete 2-year Dispensing Optician Diploma at Douglas College or Stenberg College

STEP 2

Supervised Clinical Optical Practicum (1,000+ Hours)

Accumulate 1,000+ hours of supervised clinical eyewear and contact lens fittings

STEP 3

NACOR National Optical Competency Examinations

Pass proctored NACOR National Optical Competency Examinations

JOB

CHCPBC Registration & Practicing Optician Licence

Complete jurisprudence module, criminal check, insurance, and obtain CHCPBC licence

STEP 1

Accredited Dispensing Optician Diploma

Complete 2-year Dispensing Optician Diploma at Douglas College or Stenberg College

STEP 2

Supervised Clinical Optical Practicum (1,000+ Hours)

Accumulate 1,000+ hours of supervised clinical eyewear and contact lens fittings

STEP 3

NACOR National Optical Competency Examinations

Pass proctored NACOR National Optical Competency Examinations

JOB

CHCPBC Registration & Practicing Optician Licence

Complete jurisprudence module, criminal check, insurance, and obtain CHCPBC licence

This is the overview. For the courses to take, the entry rules, the exams and the schools, open the full route.

See the full route, step by step →

THE JOB

What the job is like

Pay and outlook from WorkBC.

Pay

$22.00 – $38.46 / hr$30.82 median

Job outlook

660 forecasted job openings (2025–2035) · 2025–2035

Where the work is

Metro Vancouver, Vancouver Island / Coast, Fraser Valley

What a day looks like

Work takes place in retail optical dispensaries, eyewear boutiques, and independent optometry practices, as well as ophthalmology surgical clinics and specialized laser eye surgery centers.

Watch out for

Be mindful of eye strain from precision alignment of tiny eyewire screws and lens alignment markings and follow all required safety procedures.

Where it can lead

Own and operate an independent retail optical boutique or franchise dispensary.

Specialize in scleral lens fitting for keratoconus or low-vision telescopic aids for macular degeneration.

Source: WorkBC career profile, NOC 32100

JOBS

Find jobs

Live postings on the big job boards, searched for this job in British Columbia.

Job Board

WorkBC job board

Search “Optician” in BC →

Job Board

Job Bank (Government of Canada)

Search “Optician” in BC →

Job Board

Search “Optician” in BC →

Job Board

Indeed

Search “Optician” in BC →

QUESTIONS & ANSWERS

Common questions

How long does it take to become an optician in BC?

About 2 years, counting from Grade 11. The main steps are accredited dispensing optician diploma, supervised clinical optical practicum (1,000+ hours), NACOR national optical competency examinations, CHCPBC registration & practicing optician licence.

What do you need to get in?

Grade 12 graduation or equivalent
English Studies 12 with a minimum C or C+ grade
Foundations of Math 11 or Pre-calculus 11 with minimum C
Physics 11 or Chemistry 11 (recommended)

Some schools ask for more; check the school page.

How much does an optician make in BC?

The WorkBC median is $30.82 / hour. Most earn between $22.00 and $38.46 / hour. 660 job openings are expected in BC over 2025–2035.

Do you need a licence?

Yes. You register with the College of Health and Care Professionals of BC (CHCPBC). Before that you pass NACOR National Eyeglasses Examination (written and practical) and NACOR National Contact Lens Examination (written and practical) and CHCPBC Jurisprudence Examination on health legislation and bylaws.

WHERE TO TAKE THIS

Approved colleges, universities & providers

Accredited British Columbia institutions offering recognized programs and courses for this career.

Browse all BC institutions

📚

Douglas College

New Westminster & Coquitlam · Metro Vancouver

Diploma

Dispensing Optician Diploma

Accredited 2-year diploma teaching eyeglasses dispensing, contact lens fitting, automated lens finishing, and NACOR national exam preparation.

Duration2 years

FormatIn-Person

Est. CostNot published

See the full page: Dispensing optician diploma →

Direct Enrolment Portal

🔬

Stenberg College

Surrey · Metro Vancouver

Diploma

Optician Diploma Program

Accredited optician diploma combining flexible online theory with intensive on-campus optical edging labs and supervised retail dispensaries.

Duration2 years

FormatHybrid

Est. CostNot published

See the full page: Dispensing optician diploma →

Direct Enrolment Portal

How to become an optician in BC

The route at a glance

Accredited Dispensing Optician Diploma

Supervised Clinical Optical Practicum (1,000+ Hours)

NACOR National Optical Competency Examinations

CHCPBC Registration & Practicing Optician Licence

Accredited Dispensing Optician Diploma

Supervised Clinical Optical Practicum (1,000+ Hours)

NACOR National Optical Competency Examinations

CHCPBC Registration & Practicing Optician Licence

What the job is like

Find jobs

WorkBC job board

Job Bank (Government of Canada)

LinkedIn

Indeed

Common questions

How long does it take to become an optician in BC?

What do you need to get in?

How much does an optician make in BC?

Do you need a licence?

Approved colleges, universities & providers

Douglas College

Dispensing Optician Diploma

Stenberg College

Optician Diploma Program