Optometrist / North Dakota
2026 data North Dakota board official source

North Dakota Optometrist License Requirements

Compiled from official public sources by the publisher.

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

PlainCredential home → About this data

Examines eyes for vision defects and prescribes corrective lenses.

What the North Dakota data shows for Optometrists

Becoming a licensed optometrist in North Dakota means clearing a defined set of hurdles: 4,108 training hours, a passing score on NBEO Exam Series, plus a background history check once the applicant turns 18. North Dakota regulators place this credential inside their licensing framework, which classifies the training track as "Doctor of Optometry (OD)".

Budget $121 to get started, plus $110 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

D
Licensing Ease Score
40/100
Optometrist · North Dakota

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
4,108 hours
Documented education/training hours required
Initial Fee D
$121
One-time application/license fee
Renewal Burden C-
$55/yr
$110 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 North Dakota

Education / Training Hours
Doctor of Optometry (OD)
4,108 hours
Exam Requirement
NBEO Exam Series
Required
Initial License Fee
$121
Renewal Fee
$110
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 North Dakota licenses
Data sources: NCSL Occupational Licensing Database, Institute for Justice, state licensing boards. Verify current requirements with North Dakota licensing authorities before making career decisions.

Frequently Asked Questions

What license do I need for Optometrist in North Dakota? ▼
North Dakota requires 4108 education/training hours, passing an exam (NBEO Exam Series), and an initial fee of $121. A criminal background check is also required.
How do I get certified as an Optometrist in North Dakota? ▼
Certification as an optometrist in North Dakota means clearing the state's checklist: 4108 hours of education, and a passing exam score. The North Dakota licensing board can confirm the current details.
Can I transfer my Optometrist license to North Dakota from another state? ▼
Reciprocity for optometrists nationally works like this: Not part of compact — state-by-state endorsement. Beyond that baseline, interstate compacts exist for many professions and may smooth a transfer into North Dakota. Verify the specifics with the North Dakota licensing board.
Does North Dakota require a background check for Optometrist licensing? ▼
Background screening is part of the optometrist licensing process in North Dakota. The state licensing board determines which offenses disqualify an applicant and how appeals are handled.
What are the continuing education requirements for Optometrist in North Dakota? ▼
North Dakota ties continued optometrist licensure to 40 continuing-education hours, due every 2 years, alongside a $110 renewal fee.

Related Guides

What to do with this optometrist license

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

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

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