Optician (Dispensing) / Washington
2026 data Washington board official source

Washington Optician (Dispensing) License Requirements

Compiled from official public sources by the publisher.

Requirements, fees, and renewal timing for this license, sourced from state board records.

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

What the Washington data shows for Optician (Dispensing)s

Washington sets the entry bar for optician (dispensing)s at 1,000 training hours and a passing score on a state-approved exam. A background check is a standard part of the process. The credential is administered under Washington's licensing regime, which classifies the training track as "Certificate/Degree".

Budget $100 to get started on a 2-year cycle. There's no continuing-education mandate tied to this profession in Washington, which keeps the long-run cost of staying licensed lighter than in CE-heavy states.

There's no published reciprocity list here - Washington reviews out-of-state credentials individually.

Licensing Ease Score

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

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 Washington

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 Washington licenses
Data sources: NCSL Occupational Licensing Database, Institute for Justice, state licensing boards. Verify current requirements with Washington licensing authorities before making career decisions.

Frequently Asked Questions

What license do I need for Optician (Dispensing) in Washington? ▼
Washington requires 1000 education/training hours, passing an exam, and an initial fee of $100. A criminal background check is also required.
How do I get certified as an Optician (Dispensing) in Washington? ▼
To become a licensed optician (dispensing) in Washington, you must meet the state's requirements including 1000 hours of education. You must also pass the required examination. Contact the Washington licensing board to verify current requirements.
Can I transfer my Optician (Dispensing) license to Washington from another state? ▼
Washington 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 Washington licensing board for specific reciprocity details.
Does Washington require a background check for Optician (Dispensing) licensing? ▼
Washington does require a background check before issuing an optician (dispensing) license. What counts as disqualifying, and how it's reviewed, is up to the state licensing board.

Related Guides

What to do with this optician (dispensing) license

Optician (Dispensing) in Washington 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 Washington 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.