Optometrist / Maine
2026 data Maine board official source

Maine Optometrist License Requirements

Compiled from official public sources by the publisher.

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 Ease Score

D
Licensing Ease Score
47/100
Optometrist · Maine

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
4,027 hours
Documented education/training hours required
Initial Fee C+
$86
One-time application/license fee
Renewal Burden C+
$42/yr
$84 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 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

Compare & Explore

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

What to do with this optometrist license

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

  • See how Maine'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 Maine's overall licensing burden compares to other states, not just this one profession. Maine overview

Requirements shown are compiled from NCSL and Institute for Justice research; verify current rules with the Maine 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.