Optometrist / Maine
2026 data Maine board official source

Maine 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 Maine data shows for Optometrists

Maine sets the entry bar for optometrists at 4,027 training hours and a passing score on NBEO Exam Series. A background check is a standard part of the process, and applicants must be 18 or older. The credential is administered under Maine's licensing regime, which classifies the training track as "Doctor of Optometry (OD)".

Budget $86 to get started, plus $84 at each renewal on a 2-year cycle. Renewal isn't the end of the cost: 40 hours of continuing education are due every 2-year cycle, a recurring time commitment worth planning for.

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

Licensing Requirements in Maine

Education / Training Hours
Doctor of Optometry (OD)
4,027 hours
Exam Requirement
NBEO Exam Series
Required
Initial License Fee
$86
Renewal Fee
$84
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 Maine licenses
Data sources: NCSL Occupational Licensing Database, Institute for Justice, state licensing boards. Verify current requirements with Maine licensing authorities before making career decisions.

Frequently Asked Questions

What license do I need for Optometrist in Maine? ▼
Maine's requirements cover 4027 hours of education or training, the NBEO Exam Series exam, and an initial fee of $86. Applicants also go through a criminal background check.
How do I get certified as an Optometrist in Maine? ▼
To become a licensed optometrist in Maine, you must meet the state's requirements including 4027 hours of education. You must also pass the required examination. Contact the Maine licensing board to verify current requirements.
Can I transfer my Optometrist license to Maine 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 Maine licensing board for how this applies to you.
Does Maine require a background check for Optometrist licensing? ▼
Maine 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 Maine? ▼
To stay licensed as an optometrist in Maine, plan on 40 hours of continuing education per 2-year renewal cycle; renewal itself runs $84.

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.