Optometrist / Colorado
2026 data Colorado board official source

Colorado Optometrist License Requirements

Compiled from official source data by PlainCredential

Requirements, fees, and renewal timing for this license, sourced from state board records.

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Examines eyes for vision defects and prescribes corrective lenses.

What the Colorado data shows for Optometrists

To practice as an optometrist in Colorado, the state licensing board requires 4,851 documented education or training hours, a passing score on NBEO Exam Series. A criminal history background check is also part of the application. Applicants must be at least 18 years old. The regulation sits under Colorado's professional licensing framework, which classifies the training track as "Doctor of Optometry (OD)".

The initial price tag is $437, and renewal costs $352 every 2 years. Maintaining the license requires 40 hours of continuing education per 2-year cycle, an ongoing cost applicants often underestimate when budgeting the career.

Reciprocity for this profession works like this: Not part of compact — state-by-state endorsement.

Licensing Requirements in Colorado

Education / Training Hours
Doctor of Optometry (OD)
4,851 hours
Exam Requirement
NBEO Exam Series
Required
Initial License Fee
$437
Renewal Fee
$352
Renewal Cycle
Every 2 years
Continuing Education
40 hrs/cycle
Criminal History Check
Required
Minimum Age
18 years

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Compare all states for Optometrist All Colorado licenses
Data sources: NCSL Occupational Licensing Database, Institute for Justice, state licensing boards. Verify current requirements with Colorado licensing authorities before making career decisions.

Frequently Asked Questions

What license do I need for Optometrist in Colorado? ▼
Colorado requires 4851 education/training hours, passing an exam (NBEO Exam Series), and an initial fee of $437. A criminal background check is also required.
How do I get certified as an Optometrist in Colorado? ▼
Certification as an optometrist in Colorado means clearing the state's checklist: 4851 hours of education, and a passing exam score. The Colorado licensing board can confirm the current details.
Can I transfer my Optometrist license to Colorado from another state? ▼
Here's how reciprocity typically plays out for optometrists: Not part of compact — state-by-state endorsement. Many occupations are additionally covered by interstate licensing compacts that ease cross-state moves. Check with the Colorado licensing board for how this applies to you.
Does Colorado require a background check for Optometrist licensing? ▼
Colorado does require a background check before issuing an optometrist license. What counts as disqualifying, and how it's reviewed, is up to the state licensing board.
What are the continuing education requirements for Optometrist in Colorado? ▼
Colorado ties continued optometrist licensure to 40 continuing-education hours, due every 2 years, alongside a $352 renewal fee.

Related Guides

Source: NCSL Occupational Licensing Database, Institute for Justice License to Work (3rd Ed.), state licensing board websites NCSL Occupational Licensing Database, Institute for Justice License to Work (3rd Ed.), state licensing board websites

Read our methodology - how this data is sourced, computed, and verified.