Requirements to practice optometry in the United States vary by state or jurisdiction. Each state licensing board establishes its own education, examination and other requirements for obtaining an optometry license.
If you received your optometric education outside the United States and are interested in practicing in the U.S., a good first step is to determine where you would like to practice and contact that jurisdiction's optometry licensing board for its specific requirements.
The National Board of Examiners in Optometry (NBEO) administers examinations used by state licensing boards as part of the licensure process.
Individuals who are not students or graduates of an optometric degree program with the applicable Accreditation Council on Optometric Education (ACOE) accreditation status must be sponsored to take NBEO entry-into-the-profession examinations. Sponsorship may be provided by a state licensing board of optometry or an eligible ACOE-accredited professional optometric degree program.
Because requirements vary, internationally educated optometrists should review the current NBEO Exam Policies & Eligibility and contact NBEO directly with questions about examination eligibility.
There is no single national license to practice optometry in the United States. Licensure is issued by individual state or jurisdictional licensing boards.
The Association of Regulatory Boards of Optometry (ARBO) provides information for internationally educated optometrists as well as contact information for individual optometry licensing boards.
Before beginning the licensure process, contact the board in the state or jurisdiction where you intend to practice to determine its current requirements.
The Association of Schools and Colleges of Optometry (ASCO) can provide information about U.S. schools and colleges of optometry and educational pathways that may be available to internationally educated optometrists.
Please note: The American Optometric Association (AOA) does not determine eligibility for licensure, admission to an optometry program or eligibility to take NBEO examinations. Those determinations are made by the appropriate licensing board, educational institution or examination organization.