OpticianWorks Program FAQ
Q: How do I cancel my membership?
A: You can go to: My Page | Order History | View. There you should see an option to cancel. If you do not, just open a support ticket requesting a cancellation and we will take care of it for you. Once you’ve canceled, you will still have access and your account status will read “pending cancelation” until your next billing date, at which point it will switch to “cancelled.”
Please do not email us requesting a cancellation. While we will try to accommodate your request, your email may get lost, labeled as spam, or otherwise buried in a sea of other email. If you cannot cancel it yourself, open a ticket so it can be tracked and not missed. Thanks!
Q: What does a membership status “pending cancellation” mean?
A: It means you have successfully canceled your membership and it will not renew at your next renewal date. You will continue to have your course access until that time.
Q: If I cancel my membership before the renewal date, will I continue to have access until that time?
A: Yes. You can cancel your membership at any time. Upon cancellation, your membership status will change to “pending cancellation.” You will continue to have access until your next renewal date.
Q: How do I change my payment information?
A: You can go to: My Page | Order History | View
Q: How long will it take me to complete the program?
A: That will depend on you. For someone with no optical experience it would take about 120 hours (3 weeks of full time work) to complete the entire course. That includes time to visit an outside lab, shadow an optician for a day and to do some outside study of trade magazines and websites. New material is constantly being added, so this will change over time.
Let’s say you put in an honest 5 hours each week. 120 hours /5 hours a week = 24 or 24 weeks which equals 6 months.
However, most people take about a full year to complete it and that is a very realistic expectation and a great goal for you.
Q: What about these ABO prep tests I hear about?
A: We have a bank of about 300 optical exam prep questions which may be used to prepare for the ABO or other exams. You have the option of 50 question untimed quizzes and a 100 question timed one. Quizzes and the exam can be taken as often as you like.
Q: Is OpticianWorks just an ABO prep site?
A: NO! Absolutely not. OpticianWorks is a complete, c-o-m-p-l-e-t-e optician training program. If you complete the entire program you will know more and be far better prepared to take on the day-to-day working life of an optician than any ABO “certified” optician will. The ABO is a minimal competency, written, multiple choice exam with a low passing score. And that doesn’t make for very good opticians.
Q: Do you offer NCLE material to help me prepare for the National Contact Lens Exam?
A: Yes! You can join OpticianWorks, OptiGal’s Contact Lens Course or our combo-meal which includes both.
Q: Do you offer financing or a payment plan?
A: Yes! Only $15.95 a month! 🙂
Q: What is the total cost for the entire program?
A: $15.95 a month! Or even better $159 a year. That’s it!
Q: Do you offer discounts for groups or optical office staff training?
A: $159 a year per person. That’s it! Memberships are based on individual email addresses. Each unique address provides individual progress tracking, quiz scores, achievements and certificates.
Q: Do I get a certificate for completing the program?
A: Yes! You get a certificate of achievement for each course you complete and a final certificate upon completing the entire program.* You must REQUEST the final certificate of completion which will be mailed to you (in the US) and it is suitable for framing for your office.
If you rush through the program in 30 days or less don’t expect a final Certificate of Completion without a reference from an active mentor or employer providing proof that skills have been mastered.
* Providing you with a certificate that said Certified Optician would be deceitful and show poor stewardship of the profession.
Q: Will I get my optician’s license when I complete the program?
A: No. Only individual states provide licenses.
Q: Will I be a Certified Optician when I complete the program?
A: No. You can get a certificate that says you have completed the OpticianWorks program. Without a practical exam no agency should ever certify you as an optician.
Q: What about those for-profit college programs I see for thousands of dollars?
A: For-profit college opticianry programs are a scam. You will spend thousands of dollars for far less than you will get at OpticianWorks for $159.
Q: What other books and materials will I need?
A: We recommend Ellen Stoner’s Optical Formulas Tutorial (available on Amazon) and an entry level scientific calculator. However, only a basic calculator with a +/- button is required.
Q: Who do I contact if I need technical support?
A: If you are having technical issues, please go to our support page and open a support ticket. We will respond as quickly as possible (often within a few hours). Please, do not call the lab. They do not have access to the OpticianWorks membership platform. For everything else EMAIL ME! NO SUPPORT TICKETS, NO FACEBOOK MESSENGER
Q: What about international payments and memberships?
A: If your credit card works for international payments we will accept it. If you understand enough English for the program to help you, go for it! We are no longer mailing international certificates of completion. International certificates of completion will be emailed.
Q: What software and hardware requirements are there?
A: The program is best completed on a high-speed, Internet-connected, desktop or laptop computer. There are no other special requirements. Smaller mobile devices can be used but, many of the illustrations, images and videos contain small parts that may be hard to discern on a small screen.
Q: What is a lensmeter kit and how do I get one?
A: The lensmeter kit program has been cancelled. Kits were stolen, damaged and returned late.
Q: Is OpticianWorks a school?
A: Yes. It is a self-guided, online school, created by a licensed optician with a Master’s Degree in Adult Education and a former instructor at a Virginia Community College Opticianry program.
Q: Is the OpticianWorks program accredited?
A: No. Only college degree programs offered under the National Federation of Opticianry Schools are accredited. Unless a school can offer real college credits that can be used to earn a recognized college degree, accreditation is meaningless. PLEASE! Optician training programs offered through online non-accredited “colleges” are a costly scam.
Q: What is the difference between Laramy-K Optical and Laramy-K OpticianWorks?
A: Laramy-K Optical is and independent optical lab that specializes in uncut freeform lenses, AR coatings, and doing the kind of work other lab can’t or won’t do. Laramy-K Optical has partnered with IOT to produce lens designs that give a real independent alternative to Big Optical labs. Laramy-K Optical believes so strongly improving independent optical through education that they invested heavily in developing and maintaining the online education program known as Laramy-K OpticianWorks, delivering free weekly educational videos via Facebook and YouTube.
Q: Do I earn credits for the program?
A: No. Only college degree courses earn credits which work towards earning a final degree like a Associates of Applied Science Degree (AAS) or Bachelor’s of Science Degree (BS).
Q: How does OpticianWorks compare to other programs?
A: We are so confident that our program is better than anything else you will find we offer a 100% money back guarantee. [Try it for 30 days and if you are not happy we will refund your $15.95] Go ahead, we encourage you to try to find another site that offers so much.
Q: How much math is involved?
A: Basic arithmetic is all that is required to complete the OpticianWorks program. You are expected to use a basic calculator with a +/- button to change from positive to negative. All formulas are shown step-by-step with plenty of examples given. You may also choose to work some of the other formulas that use basic trigonometry but they are not required. They will be required if you need to attend a college program to get your state license. In my opinion, they should be required for all opticians.
Q: Can I earn ABO CEs or other continuing education credits for taking the course?
A: No.
Q: How often is the site updated?
A: Almost daily. The site is under constant review and material is updated often. Many of the core concepts never change but we often update illustrations, images, videos and examples.
Q: Can I call you?
A: Yes. However, 99.9999% of communication is by email or support tickets.
Q: Do you offer any extra help if I need it?
A: Yes. We often work one-on-one with individuals that are struggling with a specific concept.
Q: What do I do if something is not working?
A: Please, go to our support page and open a ticket. We will respond as quickly as possible, often within a few hours.
Q: Is this the last question in the FAQ?
A: Yes it is.