Optometrist / Missouri
2026 data Missouri board official source

Missouri Optometrist License Requirements

Compiled from official public sources by the publisher.

State-board requirements, fees, and renewal cycle drawn from official regulator records.

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Examines eyes for vision defects and prescribes corrective lenses.

What the Missouri data shows for Optometrists

Becoming a licensed optometrist in Missouri means clearing a defined set of hurdles: 4,338 training hours, a passing score on NBEO Exam Series, plus a background history check once the applicant turns 18. Missouri regulators place this credential inside their licensing framework, which classifies the training track as "Doctor of Optometry (OD)".

Budget $219 to get started, plus $185 at each renewal 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
31/100
Optometrist · Missouri

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
4,338 hours
Documented education/training hours required
Initial Fee F
$219
One-time application/license fee
Renewal Burden F
$93/yr
$185 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 Missouri

Education / Training Hours
Doctor of Optometry (OD)
4,338 hours
Exam Requirement
NBEO Exam Series
Required
Initial License Fee
$219
Renewal Fee
$185
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 Missouri licenses
Data sources: NCSL Occupational Licensing Database, Institute for Justice, state licensing boards. Verify current requirements with Missouri licensing authorities before making career decisions.

Frequently Asked Questions

What license do I need for Optometrist in Missouri? ▼
Missouri's requirements cover 4338 hours of education or training, the NBEO Exam Series exam, and an initial fee of $219. Applicants also go through a criminal background check.
How do I get certified as an Optometrist in Missouri? ▼
To become a licensed optometrist in Missouri, you must meet the state's requirements including 4338 hours of education. You must also pass the required examination. Contact the Missouri licensing board to verify current requirements.
Can I transfer my Optometrist license to Missouri from another state? ▼
For optometrists, the reciprocity landscape looks like this: Not part of compact — state-by-state endorsement. Many professions are also covered by interstate licensing compacts that facilitate portability between states. Contact the Missouri licensing board to confirm how it applies to your specific credential.
Does Missouri require a background check for Optometrist licensing? ▼
Background screening is part of the optometrist licensing process in Missouri. The state licensing board determines which offenses disqualify an applicant and how appeals are handled.
What are the continuing education requirements for Optometrist in Missouri? ▼
Missouri ties continued optometrist licensure to 40 continuing-education hours, due every 2 years, alongside a $185 renewal fee.

Related Guides

What to do with this optometrist license

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

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

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