Where is Optometrist a licensed occupation?

51 states require a license for Optometrist practitioners. Same-lane licenses to open next: Athletic Trainer; Certified Nurse-Midwife; Dental Assistant.

How much training before a Optometrist license?

On average, states require approximately 4,459 hours of education or training, with requirements ranging from 4,000 to 4,986 hours. For contrast in the same category, open Athletic Trainer next.

How expensive is Optometrist licensing to start?

The average initial licensing fee is $270, ranging from $75 to $494 across states. Fee shape for Dental Assistant is a useful same-lane check.

Does Optometrist transfer without a full retest?

License reciprocity varies by state. Many states participate in interstate compacts that allow license portability. Check the reciprocity information in the state-by-state details for your specific situation. Compact coverage can differ for Athletic Trainer even when the boards look similar.

Is a written or practical exam required for Optometrist?

51 out of 51 states require passing an examination to obtain a optometrist license. Exam requirements, names, and formats vary by state, check the state-by-state table above for specifics.

Will a Optometrist application include a background check?

51 out of 51 states require a criminal background check as part of the optometrist licensing process. Background check requirements and disqualifying offenses vary by jurisdiction.

Professions / Healthcare

Occupational licensing · Healthcare · 51 state boards

Optometrist Licensing Requirements by State

Optometrist licensing rules differ by state. According to the National Conference of State Legislatures (NCSL) compilation and responsible state boards (current as of May 15, 2026), this registry compares education hours, initial and renewal fees, exams, background checks and reciprocity notes across 51 boards. Use the table to compare differences, then verify the current rule with the responsible board before applying.

Optometrist across 51 state boards. Nearest coverage peers (51-state band): Athletic Trainer, Certified Nurse-Midwife, Dental Assistant.

By PlainCredential ·Compiled from official state licensing boards

States regulated: 51
Avg initial fee: $270
Require an exam: 100%
Avg education hours: 4,459

View saved licenses

Board Pathway Strip

Optometrist: 51 boards · ~4,459 avg pre-licensure hrs · exam on 100% · background check on 100% · avg first fee $270. Same-lane boards: Athletic Trainer, Certified Nurse-Midwife, Dental Assistant.

Pre-licensure hour neighbourhood for Optometrist

Optometrist vs. every tracked profession

Average confirmed pre-licensure education hours, board-sourced state requirements

4,459 7th of 47 higher than 40 of 47 professions

professions with confirmed education-hour requirements, bucketed by value

Each bar is a band; taller bars hold more professions. The dashed line + filled bar mark this entry. Hover or tap any bar for its full count and share, and where it sits relative to this entry.

Source PlainCredential NCSL and state-board corpus · 2026

Examines eyes for vision defects and prescribes corrective lenses.

Optometrist initial fees swing $75 (NH) to $494 (CA), a $419 spread across 51 boards ; Athletic Trainer often lands on a different fee band.

Board thresholds for Optometrist drift board-to-board; the same pattern shows up on Athletic Trainer and Certified Nurse-Midwife in healthcare. Methodology notes live on our methods page.

Optometrist states

Below median

Optometrist edu hrs

4,459 hrs

Top quartile, highest

Optometrist first fee

$270

Top 10% highest

Optometrist renewal

$224

Top 10% highest

Board gates for Optometrist: exam on 51/51 (100%), background check on 51/51 (100%) , CE on 51/51 (avg 40 hrs/cycle) . Stack that against Athletic Trainer / Certified Nurse-Midwife before calling this license soft or hard.

Training-hour peers beyond healthcare

Coverage band

Hour load

Pharmacist · 4,689 avg hrs
Veterinarian · 4,919 avg hrs
HVAC Technician · 3,837 avg hrs
Physician Assistant · 3,689 avg hrs

Cheapest vs priciest jurisdiction for Optometrist

A $419 fee spread for the same credential

Initial licensing fees in New Hampshire ($ 75) and California ($ 494) bracket the field, a 6.6× spread for identical practice rights.

New Hampshire

$75 initial licensing fee

Renewal cycle: 2 years

California

$494 initial licensing fee

Renewal cycle: 2 years

Optometrist boards vs Athletic Trainer / Certified Nurse-Midwife - state table

51 states

State	Edu. Hours	Exam	Init. Fee	Renewal	Cycle	CE Hrs	Same-board peer
Alabama	4,311	Yes	$207	$176	2 yrs	40	Also Dental Hygienist · Esthetician
Alaska	4,149	Yes	$138	$123	2 yrs	40	Also Dental Assistant · Emergency Medical Technician (EMT)
Arizona	4,832	Yes	$429	$346	2 yrs	40	Also Hair Braider · Land Surveyor
Arkansas	4,243	Yes	$178	$154	2 yrs	40	Also Emergency Medical Technician (EMT) · Glazier
California	4,986	Yes	$494	$396	2 yrs	40	Also Licensed Clinical Social Worker (LCSW) · Medical Lab Technician
Colorado	4,851	Yes	$437	$352	2 yrs	40	Also Painter (Contractor) · Physical Therapist
Connecticut	4,676	Yes	$362	$295	2 yrs	40	Also Pharmacy Technician · Professional Engineer (PE)
Delaware	4,554	Yes	$310	$255	2 yrs	40	Also Physical Therapist · Psychologist
District of Columbia	4,573	Yes	$319	$261	2 yrs	40	Also Pharmacy Technician · Professional Engineer (PE)
Florida	4,622	Yes	$339	$277	2 yrs	40	Also Body Piercer · Cosmetologist
Georgia	4,459	Yes	$270	$224	2 yrs	40	Also Commercial Truck Driver (CDL) · Electrician
Hawaii	4,789	Yes	$410	$331	2 yrs	40	Also Interior Designer · Marriage and Family Therapist
Idaho	4,135	Yes	$132	$119	2 yrs	40	Also Mortgage Loan Originator · Pest Control Applicator
Illinois	4,919	Yes	$466	$374	2 yrs	40	Also Pesticide Applicator (Commercial) · Private Investigator
Indiana	4,432	Yes	$259	$216	2 yrs	40	Also Pharmacy Technician · Professional Engineer (PE)
Iowa	4,189	Yes	$155	$136	2 yrs	40	Also Medical Assistant · Optician (Dispensing)
Kansas	4,176	Yes	$150	$132	2 yrs	40	Also Athletic Trainer · Certified Public Accountant (CPA)
Kentucky	4,270	Yes	$190	$163	2 yrs	40	Also Certified Nurse-Midwife · Debt Collector
Louisiana	4,730	Yes	$385	$312	2 yrs	40	Also Athletic Agent · Certified Nurse-Midwife
Maine	4,027	Yes	$86	$84	2 yrs	40	Also Elevator Installer · General Contractor
Maryland	4,662	Yes	$356	$290	2 yrs	40	Also Elementary School Teacher · Funeral Director / Embalmer
Massachusetts	4,635	Yes	$345	$281	2 yrs	40	Also Dietetic Technician · Farrier / Horseshoer
Michigan	4,473	Yes	$276	$229	2 yrs	40	Also Fire Sprinkler Installer · Home Health Aide
Minnesota	4,351	Yes	$224	$189	2 yrs	40	Also Hair Braider · Land Surveyor
Mississippi	4,297	Yes	$201	$172	2 yrs	40	Also Insurance Agent · Locksmith
Missouri	4,338	Yes	$219	$185	2 yrs	40	Also Hearing Aid Specialist · Landscape Architect
Montana	4,757	Yes	$397	$321	2 yrs	40	Also Interior Designer · Marriage and Family Therapist
Nebraska	4,162	Yes	$144	$128	2 yrs	40	Also Landscape Architect · Medical Assistant
Nevada	4,889	Yes	$453	$364	2 yrs	40	Also Pest Control Applicator · Plumber
New Hampshire	4,000	Yes	$75	$75	2 yrs	40	Also Licensed Professional Counselor · Mortgage Loan Originator
New Jersey	4,649	Yes	$351	$286	2 yrs	40	Also Marriage and Family Therapist · Notary Public
New Mexico	4,770	Yes	$402	$325	2 yrs	40	Also Medical Lab Technician · Painter (Contractor)
New York	4,589	Yes	$325	$266	2 yrs	40	Also Pharmacy Technician · Professional Engineer (PE)
North Carolina	4,446	Yes	$265	$220	2 yrs	40	Also Interior Designer · Marriage and Family Therapist
North Dakota	4,108	Yes	$121	$110	2 yrs	40	Also Land Surveyor · Massage Therapist
Ohio	4,514	Yes	$293	$242	2 yrs	40	Also Pharmacy Technician · Professional Engineer (PE)
Oklahoma	4,203	Yes	$161	$141	2 yrs	40	Also Physician Assistant · Radiologic Technologist
Oregon	4,941	Yes	$475	$381	2 yrs	40	Also Radiologic Technologist · School Bus Driver
Pennsylvania	4,568	Yes	$316	$259	2 yrs	40	Also Radiologic Technologist · School Bus Driver
Rhode Island	4,743	Yes	$391	$317	2 yrs	40	Also Debt Collector · Elevator Installer
South Carolina	4,216	Yes	$167	$145	2 yrs	40	Also Fire Sprinkler Installer · Home Health Aide
South Dakota	4,081	Yes	$109	$101	2 yrs	40	Also Food Handler / Food Safety Certification · Home Inspector
Tennessee	4,378	Yes	$236	$198	2 yrs	40	Also Painter (Contractor) · Physical Therapist
Texas	4,527	Yes	$299	$246	2 yrs	40	Also Private Investigator · Real Estate Broker
Utah	4,284	Yes	$196	$167	2 yrs	40	Also School Counselor · Substitute Teacher
Vermont	4,041	Yes	$92	$88	2 yrs	40	Also Animal Breeder · Bartender / Alcohol Server
Virginia	4,405	Yes	$247	$207	2 yrs	40	Also Roofer · Sign Language Interpreter
Washington	4,811	Yes	$420	$339	2 yrs	40	Also Water Well Driller · Auctioneer
West Virginia	4,284	Yes	$196	$167	2 yrs	40	Also Dental Hygienist · Esthetician
Wisconsin	4,324	Yes	$213	$180	2 yrs	40	Also Barber · Childcare Center Director
Wyoming	4,054	Yes	$98	$93	2 yrs	40	Also Electrologist · Food Handler / Food Safety Certification

What to do with this

Optometrist is regulated in 51 states -- here's how to use that before you act.

Optometrist ranks #7 of 47 professions by average pre-licensure education hours -- see how it compares to similar roles. Browse all professions
#58 of 97 professions by number of states requiring a license -- see which states are strictest overall. State burden rankings
Initial fees for Optometrist range from $75 (NH) to $494 (CA) -- check whether your license transfers before assuming you'd need to pay again. Reciprocity guide

Requirements are compiled from NCSL and Institute for Justice research and verified against state board sites where possible; always confirm current rules with the licensing board before relying on any single row.

Data sources

Every figure on PlainCredential is rendered directly from NCSL and state occupational- licensing board data, no number is typed in by an editor. Optometrist requirements from NCSL and state board schedules: 51 rows, no hand-typed figures. See our editorial standards & corrections policy, the methodology behind these numbers, or report a data error.