Optometrist / Virginia
2026 data Virginia board official source

Virginia 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 Virginia data shows for Optometrists

Virginia sets the entry bar for optometrists at 4,405 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 Virginia's licensing regime, which classifies the training track as "Doctor of Optometry (OD)".

The initial price tag is $247, and renewal costs $207 every 2 years. 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
29/100
Optometrist · Virginia

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
4,405 hours
Documented education/training hours required
Initial Fee F
$247
One-time application/license fee
Renewal Burden F
$104/yr
$207 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 Virginia

Education / Training Hours
Doctor of Optometry (OD)
4,405 hours
Exam Requirement
NBEO Exam Series
Required
Initial License Fee
$247
Renewal Fee
$207
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 Virginia licenses
Data sources: NCSL Occupational Licensing Database, Institute for Justice, state licensing boards. Verify current requirements with Virginia licensing authorities before making career decisions.

Frequently Asked Questions

What license do I need for Optometrist in Virginia? ▼
Virginia requires 4405 education/training hours, passing an exam (NBEO Exam Series), and an initial fee of $247. A criminal background check is also required.
How do I get certified as an Optometrist in Virginia? ▼
Certification as an optometrist in Virginia means clearing the state's checklist: 4405 hours of education, and a passing exam score. The Virginia licensing board can confirm the current details.
Can I transfer my Optometrist license to Virginia 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 Virginia licensing board for how this applies to you.
Does Virginia require a background check for Optometrist licensing? ▼
Virginia 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 Virginia? ▼
To stay licensed as an optometrist in Virginia, plan on 40 hours of continuing education per 2-year renewal cycle; renewal itself runs $207.

Related Guides

What to do with this optometrist license

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

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

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