Dispensing Opticians Education Options for Dispensing Optician Licensure To qualify for a dispensing optician license under AS 08.71.110(b), the Alaska Dispensing Optician Program accepts associate-level education from a recognized school or college of opticianry in lieu of training otherwise required under an apprentice registration. A recognized school or college of opticianry includes programs accepted by: The Commission on Opticianry Accreditation (COA) National Federation of Opticianry Schools (NFOS) Distance Education Accrediting Commission (DEAC), Recognized by the U.S. Department of Education and the Council for Higher Education Accreditation (CHEA) Click here for a list of recognized schools.