SPRINGFIELD, Va.—The American Board of Opticianry and National Contact Lens Examiners (ABO-NCLE) announced that they have successfully developed a full Spanish-language electronic version of the NOCE and CLRE Basic Certification Examinations. Prompted by their ongoing mission to provide the best examination service to determine competency and capability in opticianry and contact lens technology, the Spanish-language examination will commence in May 2015.

The Spanish version of the exams will be offered at the same time, locations and manner as the existing English version which is currently offered four times a year in February, May, August and November at over 300 sites in the U.S. Once a registrant selects the Spanish version of the exam, the online registration will also be provided in Spanish. Information related to the exam site, confirmation e-mails and score reports will also be sent in Spanish, but score verification reports to licensing boards will continue to be in English.

Optical professionals from different Spanish-speaking South and Central American countries contributed to the translations of the exams to ensure that all optical phrasing and terms were properly translated. The exam which was developed under rigorous psychometrical standards and criteria mirrors the English version.

Providing the national basic competency exams in Spanish has been a long-time goal of the ABO-NCLE Board, and this achievement was completed in response to the indication by state societies, educators and individuals of the need for an exam in Spanish to further ensure the welfare of consumers using the services of the opticians and contact lens technicians, the ABO-NCLE said in an announcement.