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Licensed Optometrist
Total cost: $4893
Yes
NBEO Required
Yes
TPA Certified
Not Allowed
Laser Procedures
Required
Jurisprudence
50 hrs
CE Hours
$4893
Total Initial Fees
CE Hours Required
50 hours
Per 2 years renewal cycle
Renewal Cycle
2 years
TPA CE Hours
35 hours
Therapeutic pharmaceutical agent certification
Required CE Topics
3 topic areas
TMOD (35 hrs for TPA-certified), Glaucoma (10 hrs if TPG/TLG certified), General optometry
Renewal Fee
$575
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.
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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 |
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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.
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 →
Compare California with other states →
See how requirements, costs, and timelines differ across all 50 states.
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
See how California compares: Optometrist License Fees by State — Cheapest to Most Expensive →
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Optometrist Schools in California
Compare approved training programs, costs, and 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 →
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.