HowToGetLicensed

Optician License: Pennsylvania vs North Carolina

Thinking about getting your optician license? Here's how Pennsylvania and North Carolina compare on education requirements, exam fees, total costs, and renewal obligations.

Requirement Pennsylvania North Carolina
Education Hours 0 hours 2000 hours
Exam No state exam required ABO and NCLE Certification Exams plus State Practical
Application Fee $0 $175
Exam Fee $0 $250
Total Estimated Cost $500 - $500 $12,500 - $13,500
Renewal Period Every 0 year Every 1 year
CE Hours 0 hours 8 hours
Renewal Fee $0 $100

Which State Is Easier or Cheaper?

Lower cost: Pennsylvania is the more affordable option, with an average total cost of $500-$500 compared to $12,500-$13,500.

Fewer education hours: Pennsylvania requires 0 hours of pre-license education, compared to 2000 hours in North Carolina.

Full State Guides

Compare optician requirements across all 50 states →