The O*NET Data Collection Program, sponsored by the U.S. Department of Labor, is seeking the input of experts. As the nation's most comprehensive source of occupational data, O*NET is a free resource and provides instant access to detailed descriptions of more than 900 occupations that drive the U.S. economy. Our visitors include counselors, human resource professionals, researchers, developers, and students, to name a few. Visit O*NET OnLine to learn more: www.onetonline.org

Your participation in this important initiative will help ensure that the complexities of your profession are described accurately in the O*NET database for the American public.

O*NET Description of Opticians, Dispensing:

Design, measure, fit, and adapt lenses and frames for client according to written optical prescription or specification. Assist client with inserting, removing, and caring for contact lenses. Assist client with selecting frames. Measure customer for size of eyeglasses and coordinate frames with facial and eye measurements and optical prescription. Prepare work order for optical laboratory containing instructions for grinding and mounting lenses in frames. Verify exactness of finished lens spectacles. Adjust frame and lens position to fit client. May shape or reshape frames. Includes contact lens opticians.

You are considered an Occupation Expert if you meet all the following criteria:

• Have at least one year of professional experience working in the occupation.

• Have a minimum of 5 years combined in one or more of the following: practicing, training, teaching, and/or supervising others who perform the occupation.

• Are currently actively involved in the field and based in the U.S.

How to Participate:

If you meet these criteria and are interested in participating, please contact Holman Orange at RTI International, the O*NET data collection contractor, at [email protected] before August 29, 2025.

Provide the following information in your email:

Required

• Your Full Name
• State of Residence
  • This information keeps the sample valid, ensuring collected data represents the entire country, not any one region of the country.
• Daytime Phone Number
  • If selected, you may be contacted by phone from one of two numbers:
    • 877-233-7348 or
    • 919-865-3440
• Email Address
  • If selected, you may be contacted by email. This is the preferred method of contact. Please provide the email you use most often.
• State that you were referred by the United Opticians Association.
  • This information helps O*Net understand whom to contact when specific occupational information is needed. The United Opticians Association receives no money in any form for participation in this project.

Optional

• • Full address
  • This is used for mailing your Certificate of Appreciation from the U. S. Dept. of Labor
• • Company Name and Title
  • If provided, this information can help provide a more granular breakdown of the dataset.

Process and Participation Incentive:

A random sample of experts responding to this request will be invited to complete a set of questionnaires. Experts who are selected and agree to participate will receive a $40 VISA gift card and a certificate of appreciation from the U.S. Department of Labor.

We encourage you to keep information about your profession accurate and current for the benefit of our colleagues and the nation. Thank you for your support.

Privacy:

All O*NET data collection procedures were approved by RTI’s Institutional Review Board, which protects the rights of research participants. To maintain privacy, your expert input will be combined with that provided by other occupational experts and will be used to define work values and worker characteristics for this occupation. The O*NET data is published and released at the occupation level only and/or reported in aggregate form only.

If you know anyone within your organization who is also an expert and would be willing to participate, please forward this letter to them.