Optician (Dispensing) / North Dakota
2026 data North Dakota board official source

North Dakota Optician (Dispensing) License Requirements

Compiled from official public sources by the publisher.

Official regulator records behind the requirements, fees, and renewal cycle for this license.

PlainCredential home → About this data

Fits and adjusts eyeglasses and contact lenses. Licensed in ~22 states.

What the North Dakota data shows for Optician (Dispensing)s

North Dakota's path to optician (dispensing) licensure runs through 1,000 hours of approved instruction and a passing score on a state-approved exam, plus a criminal history screening. North Dakota folds the credential into its broader occupational licensing statute, which classifies the training track as "Certificate/Degree".

Upfront cost is $100 on a 2-year cycle. North Dakota doesn't require continuing education for this license, so upkeep costs stay confined to the renewal fee itself.

North Dakota evaluates out-of-state credentials case-by-case rather than through a published reciprocity list.

Licensing Ease Score

D
Licensing Ease Score
47/100
Optician (Dispensing) · North Dakota

A higher score means this specific license is LESS burdensome to obtain and maintain here than the national requirement corpus, based on education hours, fees, continuing education, and experience requirements, not an overall judgment of the profession or the state.

Education & Training D
1,000 hours
Documented education/training hours required
Initial Fee C-
$100
One-time application/license fee
Renewal Burden N/A
N/A
Renewal fee annualized over the renewal cycle
Continuing Education N/A
N/A
Continuing-education hours annualized over the renewal cycle
Experience Required N/A
N/A
Supervised work experience required before licensure

Licensing Requirements in North Dakota

Education / Training Hours
Certificate/Degree
1,000 hours
Exam Requirement
Required
Initial License Fee
$100
Renewal Fee
N/A
Renewal Cycle
Every 2 years
Continuing Education
Not required
Criminal History Check
Required

Compare & Explore

Compare all states for Optician (Dispensing) All North Dakota licenses
Data sources: NCSL Occupational Licensing Database, Institute for Justice, state licensing boards. Verify current requirements with North Dakota licensing authorities before making career decisions.

Frequently Asked Questions

What license do I need for Optician (Dispensing) in North Dakota? ▼
In North Dakota, the license path calls for 1000 education/training hours, a passing exam score, and a $100 initial fee. A criminal background check is required as well.
How do I get certified as an Optician (Dispensing) in North Dakota? ▼
North Dakota licenses optician (dispensing)s who complete its requirements (1000 education hours) and a passing exam. Verify the latest details with the North Dakota licensing board.
Can I transfer my Optician (Dispensing) license to North Dakota from another state? ▼
North Dakota evaluates out-of-state optician (dispensing) licenses on a case-by-case basis. Many professions are covered by interstate licensing compacts that facilitate portability. Contact the North Dakota licensing board for specific reciprocity details.
Does North Dakota require a background check for Optician (Dispensing) licensing? ▼
A criminal background check is mandatory for optician (dispensing) licensing in North Dakota. The state licensing board sets the disqualifying-offense criteria and review process.

Related Guides

What to do with this optician (dispensing) license

Optician (Dispensing) in North Dakota is one requirement row in an optician (dispensing)-wide, 50-state comparison.

Requirements shown are compiled from NCSL and Institute for Justice research; verify current rules with the North Dakota licensing board before making career decisions.

Source: NCSL Occupational Licensing Database, Institute for Justice License to Work (3rd Ed.), state licensing board websites

According to the National Conference of State Legislatures and the Institute for Justice, the PlainCredential comparison corpus (current as of May 15, 2026) maps 4,947 state licensing requirement records; see the methodology.

Read our methodology - how this data is sourced, computed, and verified.