Optometrist / Delaware
2026 data Delaware board official source

Delaware Optometrist License Requirements

Compiled from official public sources by the publisher.

What the state board actually requires: fees, renewal cycle, and requirements from official records.

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Examines eyes for vision defects and prescribes corrective lenses.

What the Delaware data shows for Optometrists

Delaware's path to optometrist licensure runs through 4,554 hours of approved instruction and a passing score on NBEO Exam Series, plus a criminal history screening before applicants younger than 18 can be licensed. Delaware folds the credential into its broader occupational licensing statute, which classifies the training track as "Doctor of Optometry (OD)".

Upfront cost is $310, with renewal running $255 on a 2-year cycle. The license also carries an ongoing 40-hour continuing-education requirement per 2-year cycle that adds to the true cost of staying licensed.

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

Licensing Ease Score

F
Licensing Ease Score
26/100
Optometrist · Delaware

A higher score means this specific license is LESS burdensome to obtain and maintain here than the national requirement corpus, based on education hours, fees, continuing education, and experience requirements, not an overall judgment of the profession or the state.

Education & Training F
4,554 hours
Documented education/training hours required
Initial Fee F
$310
One-time application/license fee
Renewal Burden F
$128/yr
$255 every 2 years
Continuing Education F
20.0 hrs/yr
40 hours every 2 years
Experience Required A+
None required
Supervised work experience required before licensure

Licensing Requirements in Delaware

Education / Training Hours
Doctor of Optometry (OD)
4,554 hours
Exam Requirement
NBEO Exam Series
Required
Initial License Fee
$310
Renewal Fee
$255
Renewal Cycle
Every 2 years
Continuing Education
40 hrs/cycle
Criminal History Check
Required
Minimum Age
18 years

Compare & Explore

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

Frequently Asked Questions

What license do I need for Optometrist in Delaware? ▼
Delaware requires 4554 education/training hours, passing an exam (NBEO Exam Series), and an initial fee of $310. A criminal background check is also required.
How do I get certified as an Optometrist in Delaware? ▼
Delaware licenses optometrists who complete its requirements (4554 education hours) and a passing exam. Verify the latest details with the Delaware licensing board.
Can I transfer my Optometrist license to Delaware from another state? ▼
Optometrist licenses generally reciprocate as follows: Not part of compact — state-by-state endorsement. Interstate licensing compacts cover many professions and can further ease a move between states. The Delaware licensing board can confirm the current rules for your credential.
Does Delaware require a background check for Optometrist licensing? ▼
Delaware 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 Delaware? ▼
Delaware ties continued optometrist licensure to 40 continuing-education hours, due every 2 years, alongside a $255 renewal fee.

Related Guides

What to do with this optometrist license

Optometrist in Delaware, with a documented reciprocity path, is one requirement row in an optometrist-wide, 50-state comparison.

  • See how Delaware's optometrist requirements compare to every other state before relocating. Optometrist in every state
  • Confirm whether your out-of-state optometrist license transfers under an interstate compact before starting a new application. Reciprocity guide
  • See how Delaware's overall licensing burden compares to other states, not just this one profession. Delaware overview

Requirements shown are compiled from NCSL and Institute for Justice research; verify current rules with the Delaware licensing board before making career decisions.

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

According to the National Conference of State Legislatures and the Institute for Justice, the PlainCredential comparison corpus (current as of May 15, 2026) maps 4,947 state licensing requirement records; see the methodology.

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