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How to become a licensed Optometrist in California. Data verified 2026-03-21. Source: LicenseMap (getlicensemap.com).
Licensed Optometrist
Yes
NBEO Required
Yes
TPA Certified
Not Allowed
Laser Procedures
Required
Jurisprudence
50 hrs
CE Hours
$4893
Total Initial Fees
O.D. Degree & Program Requirements
VerifiedDegree Required
Doctor of Optometry (O.D.)
ACOE Accreditation
Required
Program Length
4 years
Clinical Hours
2000 hrs
Prerequisite Education
3-4 years undergraduate (90+ semester hours minimum)
Optometrists must earn a Doctor of Optometry (O.D.) degree from an ACOE-accredited program. Programs are typically 4 years in length and include extensive clinical training. Prerequisite coursework in biology, chemistry, physics, and mathematics is typically required.
Browse approved optometrist training programs to find the right fit.
Browse Optometrist study materials on Amazon →(affiliate link)
Exam Requirements
VerifiedNBEO Required
National Board of Examiners in Optometry
Part I
Applied Basic Science (ABS)
Part II
Patient Assessment and Management (PAM)
Part III
Clinical Skills - Part III PEPS (Patient Education and Population-based Solutions)
NBEO Fee: $4335
Combined fee for all three NBEO parts ($1445 each) paid to NBEO; increases to $1490/part August 2026
Jurisprudence Exam
Required
Details
California Laws and Regulations Examination (CLRE) required
Retake Policy
NBEO allows retakes of individual parts; waiting periods and attempt limits vary by part. Check NBEO Exam Eligibility Policy for details.
The NBEO consists of three parts: Part I (Applied Basic Science), Part II (Patient Assessment and Management), and Part III (Clinical Skills). All parts must be passed for licensure. Many states also require a jurisprudence exam covering state-specific optometry laws and regulations.
Overall licensing difficulty: 36/100
Study recommendation: 1–2 weeks of focused review is usually sufficient
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Optometry Exam Prep Books
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Difficulty rating based on education, exam, and experience requirements. Individual experience may vary.
Study guides for the NBEO licensing exam.
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Therapeutic Pharmaceutical Agents
VerifiedTPA Certified
Therapeutic Pharmaceutical Agents Certification
Oral Medications
Permitted
Injectable Medications
Permitted
TPA Requirements
Completion of ACOE-accredited optometric program with TPA curriculum; passage of TMOD (Treatment and Management of Ocular Disease) examination
TPA Continuing Education
35 hours of TPA-specific CE per renewal cycle
TPA certification allows optometrists to prescribe and administer therapeutic pharmaceutical agents for the treatment of eye diseases and conditions. Requirements for TPA certification, including permitted medications and CE requirements, vary by state.
Permitted Procedures & Services
VerifiedYes
Comprehensive Eye Exams
Yes
Contact Lens Prescribing
Yes
Glaucoma Treatment
No
Laser Procedures
No
Minor Surgical Procedures
Yes
Oral Medications
Yes
Injectable Medications
Yes
Telepractice Permitted
Restricted Activities
Optometrists' scope of practice varies significantly by state. While all states allow comprehensive eye exams and contact lens prescribing, laser procedures, minor surgery, and injectable medication privileges are only available in select states. Scope continues to expand as legislation evolves.
| Fee | Amount |
|---|---|
Application Fee | $279 |
NBEO Fee Combined fee for all three NBEO parts ($1445 each) | $4335 |
License Fee | $279 |
TPA Fee | $0 |
Renewal Fee | $575 |
Total Initial Fees Includes application, NBEO ($4335 total for 3 parts), license fee, and TPA certification | $4893 |
Use our licensing cost calculator to estimate your total investment including education and exam fees.
Government & exam fees
Application, exam & license fees
$4,893
Study guides & supplies
Optometry Exam Prep Books
Estimated total (gov't fees)
$4,893
Average Optometrist salary in California: $137,070/year
Your investment pays for itself in approximately 14 days
Education and training costs vary by provider. Government fees sourced from state licensing board websites.
Renewal & CE Requirements
Verified2 years
Renewal Period
50 hrs
CE Hours Required
35 hrs
TPA CE Hours
Required CE Topics
Renewal Fee
$575
Regulatory Board
Optometrist licenses must be renewed on schedule. Most states require continuing education hours covering topics such as ocular disease, pharmacology, and ethics. TPA-certified optometrists typically have additional CE requirements specific to pharmaceutical agents.
We'll send you courtesy reminders at 90, 60, and 30 days before your license expires — so you can stay ahead of your CE and renewal deadlines.
Out-of-State Reciprocity
VerifiedAccepts Out-of-State Credentials
Endorsement Available
Yes
NBEO Portability
NBEO scores are portable across all 50 states and DC; scores can be transferred to any state board via ARBO OE Tracker
Reciprocity Requirements
NBEO scores are portable across states, making it easier for optometrists to obtain licensure in multiple states. Most states offer endorsement pathways for out-of-state optometrists with active licenses and clean disciplinary records.
Moving to another state? Use our Transfer Tool to see what you need →
California requires 50 CE hours biennially (among the highest nationally), has a state-specific CLRE exam, and requires 35 of those hours in TMOD for TPA-certified optometrists.
California requires 50 CE hours per biennium for TPA-certified ODs (40 for non-TPA).
35 hours must be in TMOD for TPA-certified optometrists.
California Laws and Regulations Examination (CLRE) required.
Injectable authority for intradermal skin testing and epinephrine.
California has historically been restrictive on scope expansion.
Glaucoma certification (TPG/TLG) requires additional 10 CE hours.
There is no interstate compact for optometrists.
50 CE hours for TPA-certified; 40 CE hours for non-TPA per BPC 3059 and CCR 1536
Optometrist requirements in nearby states
California ranks #32 out of 51 for lowest optometrist licensing fees ($4893). See full ranking →
More rankings: Lowest Renewal Cost · Fewest CE Hours
Related Guides
Explore requirements for other professional licenses in California.
Optometrist Schools in California
Compare approved training programs, costs, and requirements.
How this state compares to 50 others for this profession
Timeline
#1 of 51
Salary
#19 of 51
Cost
#32 of 51
Processing
#1 of 51
Based on May 2024 Bureau of Labor Statistics OEWS data for Optometrists (SOC 29-1041)
Entry Level
$108,310
25th percentile
Median
$137,070
+2% vs. national avg ($134,830)Experienced
$166,900
75th percentile
Wage Distribution (Annual)
6,790 employed in this state
Note: BLS data for optometrists may underrepresent earnings for practice owners. Self-employed optometrists' total income often exceeds reported wage data.
Source: BLS OEWS – Optometrists (May 2024)
National employment projections for 2024-2034
Projected Growth
+11.1%
High DemandNew Jobs
+5,200
over 10 years
Annual Openings
2,700
per year (avg.)
47,000 currently employed nationwide (2024)
Source: BLS Employment Projections 2024-2034 (September 2025)
Vision Care Career Ladder+137% salary growth potential
You are here
Optometrist
$137,070
OD degree (4 years) + NBEO exams
Opticianry program + ABO/NCLE certification
$57,770
You are here
Optometrist
OD degree (4 years) + NBEO exams
$137,070
Salary data from BLS OEWS May 2024 for this state. Career paths represent common advancement routes — actual progression may vary. Bureau of Labor Statistics — Occupational Outlook Handbook
Government fees and exam costs to obtain your initial license
Note: These are government licensing fees only. Education/training program costs (tuition, books, etc.) are not included as they vary widely by institution.
Estimated total: 216–236 weeks
Timeline estimated from licensing requirements on this page.
Source: California State Board of Optometry — Licensing Requirements
4–8 weeks
Estimated processing time
Source: California State Board of Optometry — Licensing Requirements
Moving to California? Use our free Transfer Tool to see what you need →
Already licensed elsewhere? See how to transfer your Optometrist license to California →
A week-by-week action plan built for your situation — with every cost, deadline, and next step mapped out.
A week-by-week action plan built for your situation — with every cost, deadline, and next step mapped out.
California requires passing the NBEO for optometrist licensure. TPA certification is available for prescribing therapeutic medications. All licensing is managed through the California State Board of Optometry.
Requirements vary by state. Always verify current requirements with your state licensing authority.