Optometrist / Montana
2026 data Montana board official source

Montana 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 Montana data shows for Optometrists

To practice as an optometrist in Montana, the state licensing board requires 4,757 documented education or training hours, a passing score on NBEO Exam Series. A criminal history background check is also part of the application. Applicants must be at least 18 years old. The regulation sits under Montana's professional licensing framework, which classifies the training track as "Doctor of Optometry (OD)".

Upfront cost is $397, with renewal running $321 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
24/100
Optometrist · Montana

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
4,757 hours
Documented education/training hours required
Initial Fee F
$397
One-time application/license fee
Renewal Burden F
$161/yr
$321 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 Montana

Education / Training Hours
Doctor of Optometry (OD)
4,757 hours
Exam Requirement
NBEO Exam Series
Required
Initial License Fee
$397
Renewal Fee
$321
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 Montana licenses
Data sources: NCSL Occupational Licensing Database, Institute for Justice, state licensing boards. Verify current requirements with Montana licensing authorities before making career decisions.

Frequently Asked Questions

What license do I need for Optometrist in Montana? ▼
Montana requires 4757 education/training hours, passing an exam (NBEO Exam Series), and an initial fee of $397. A criminal background check is also required.
How do I get certified as an Optometrist in Montana? ▼
Montana licenses optometrists who complete its requirements (4757 education hours) and a passing exam. Verify the latest details with the Montana licensing board.
Can I transfer my Optometrist license to Montana 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 Montana licensing board to confirm how it applies to your specific credential.
Does Montana require a background check for Optometrist licensing? ▼
A criminal background check is mandatory for optometrist licensing in Montana. The state licensing board sets the disqualifying-offense criteria and review process.
What are the continuing education requirements for Optometrist in Montana? ▼
To stay licensed as an optometrist in Montana, plan on 40 hours of continuing education per 2-year renewal cycle; renewal itself runs $321.

Related Guides

What to do with this optometrist license

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

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

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