Optometrist / Minnesota
2026 data Minnesota board official source

Minnesota Optometrist License Requirements

Compiled from official public sources by the publisher.

Official regulator records behind the requirements, fees, and renewal cycle for this license.

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Examines eyes for vision defects and prescribes corrective lenses.

What the Minnesota data shows for Optometrists

Minnesota sets the entry bar for optometrists at 4,351 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 Minnesota's licensing regime, which classifies the training track as "Doctor of Optometry (OD)".

Budget $224 to get started, plus $189 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.

On reciprocity, optometrists should know: Not part of compact — state-by-state endorsement.

Licensing Ease Score

F
Licensing Ease Score
30/100
Optometrist · Minnesota

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
4,351 hours
Documented education/training hours required
Initial Fee F
$224
One-time application/license fee
Renewal Burden F
$95/yr
$189 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 Minnesota

Education / Training Hours
Doctor of Optometry (OD)
4,351 hours
Exam Requirement
NBEO Exam Series
Required
Initial License Fee
$224
Renewal Fee
$189
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 Minnesota licenses
Data sources: NCSL Occupational Licensing Database, Institute for Justice, state licensing boards. Verify current requirements with Minnesota licensing authorities before making career decisions.

Frequently Asked Questions

What license do I need for Optometrist in Minnesota? ▼
In Minnesota, the license path calls for 4351 education/training hours, a passing score on NBEO Exam Series, and a $224 initial fee. A criminal background check is required as well.
How do I get certified as an Optometrist in Minnesota? ▼
To become a licensed optometrist in Minnesota, you must meet the state's requirements including 4351 hours of education. You must also pass the required examination. Contact the Minnesota licensing board to verify current requirements.
Can I transfer my Optometrist license to Minnesota 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 Minnesota licensing board for how this applies to you.
Does Minnesota require a background check for Optometrist licensing? ▼
Minnesota 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 Minnesota? ▼
To stay licensed as an optometrist in Minnesota, plan on 40 hours of continuing education per 2-year renewal cycle; renewal itself runs $189.

Related Guides

What to do with this optometrist license

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

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

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