The American Board of Opticianry & National Contact Lens Examiners (ABO & NCLE) and National Federation of Opticianry Schools announced the formation of the United Opticians Association (UOA), a groundbreaking international organization dedicated to serving the Spectacle and Contact Lens Optician professions.
The UOA is the result of years of dedicated efforts by leaders across the world of Opticianry to create a unified body that supports and advances the profession in numerous exciting ways. This innovative association brings together national organizations such as the Opticians Association of America, the National Federation of Opticianry Schools, and the Government and Industry Relations expertise of the ABO & NCLE.
To celebrate this momentous occasion, the ABO & NCLE Board and the National Federation of Opticianry Schools are both offering all ABO & NCLE Certificants and current NFOS Students a complimentary one-year membership to the UOA, valued at $199 and valid through July 1, 2025. This gesture of appreciation is designed to help ABO & NCLE Certificants and NFOS Students take full advantage of the extensive benefits the UOA has to offer.
A United Voice for Opticianry
Ronnie Harbert, the current President of UOA, emphasized the importance of this unification: “By bringing together all of these organizations, we can better spearhead the representation and protection of the opticianry profession. The UOA unites the best of each organization, focusing efforts to provide one United Opticians Association protecting all spectacle and contact lens opticians.”
Membership Benefits
The UOA offers an array of benefits tailored to support professional growth, enhance patient care, and ensure members remain at the forefront of the field. Key benefits include:
• Professional Growth and Education: Access to state society meetings, workshops, webinars, and leadership conferences. Support for ABO & NCLE Certification, state licensing, and educational grants and scholarships.
• Advocacy and Government Relations: Representation in legislative and regulatory matters, with efforts to protect and expand the scope of practice for opticians.
• Networking and Community: Opportunities to connect with over 140,000 Spectacle and Contact Lens Opticians and more than 39,000 UOA members. Discounts on conference
registration fees and access to industry innovations.
• Support for Research and Innovation: Access to research grants and leading opticianry-related publications.
• Public Awareness and Outreach: Campaigns to raise the profile of the profession and promote the value of vision care services.
• Exclusive Member Services: Job placement assistance, discounts on optical products, and professional liability insurance.
All ABO & NCLE Certificants and NFOS Students are invited to activate their complimentary membership and join UOA in this exciting new chapter for the profession. For more information, please visit our membership page at www.opticians.org or contact them at membership@opticians.org.
About the United Opticians Association (UOA)
The United Opticians Association (UOA) is an international organization formed to support and advance the professions of Spectacle and Contact Lens Opticians. By uniting multiple national organizations, the UOA represents and protects the interests of opticians, fostering collaboration and innovation within the industry.
For questions regarding UOA individual membership or membership benefits, please contact: Johnna Little, Director of Membership Administrative and Technical Systems Email: jlittle@opticians.org
For questions regarding UOA industry relations or marketing, please contact: Naomi Mundy, Director of Industry Relations, Marketing & Membership Email: nmundy@opticians.org
For questions regarding UOA Student relations, please contact: Bob Alexander, ABOM, NCLEM, Director of Membership Education Email: balexander@opticians.org
