How to Become an Optometrist

Optometry is a great career with good job growth and high salaries. According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), careers for optometrists are growing by 4 percent, and median salaries are $118,050 per year.

What Does an Optometrist Do?

Optometrists are experts in eye care. They examine, diagnose and treat people with eye diseases, vision problems and eye injuries. Some of the typical duties of an optometrist are:

Performing and analyzing vision tests
Diagnosing issues with vision such as farsightedness or nearsightedness
Diagnosing diseases of the eyes
Treating certain eye diseases, and depending on state law, performing minor eye surgery
Prescribing lenses and visual aids
Providing care for patients before and after surgery performed by an ophthalmologist
Educating patients about eye health and preventative measures
Referring patients to specialists or physicians for other health issues

Some optometrists focus on a particular area of specialty. Those who work in a larger practice with other eye doctors and optometrists are more likely to have a specialty. Those with their own practice are usually more general practitioners.

Where Do Optometrists Work?

More than half of all optometrists work in an optometry office. Some work in physician offices, sometimes alongside an ophthalmologist. Optometrists may also work in retail locations like drug stores.

A small number of optometrists are self-employed. They own their own practices, which means that in addition to doing all the duties of an optometrist, they are also small business owners. They need to have general business skills and are responsible for things like hiring staff, managing the budget, accounting, marketing, and ordering and managing supplies.

Most optometrists work full-time. They mostly work standard business hours during the week but may also offer weekend or evening appointments to accommodate patients.

How Long Does it Take to Become an Optometrist?

The time it takes to become a working optometrist varies a little bit. For most people, it takes eight years. This includes four years earning an undergraduate degree and four years completing optometry school. The time can be shorter or longer depending on different factors: finishing an undergraduate degree early, completing a post-doctoral program, or enrolling in a residency after optometry school.

Do Optometrists Go to Medical School?

You do not need to go to medical school to become an optometrist. Optometrists do hold an advanced degree, though. It’s called a Doctor of Optometry, or O.D. Medical doctors, M.D.s, who went to medical school and specialize in eye medicine are called ophthalmologists.

According to the American Academy of Ophthalmology, the difference in degree is important. Ophthalmologists with medical degrees learn in medical school how to treat the whole body and also receive additional training in eye medicine, diseases and surgery.

Pre-Optometrist Education

Optometrist education requirements begin with undergraduate coursework. Most optometrists earn a four-year bachelor’s degree. A degree is a prerequisite for most optometry programs. There are few optometry schools in the U.S., so entry is competitive. For this reason, it’s best to have a four-year degree even if it is not a requirement for the school where you hope to gain admission.

You can find a pre-optometry degree program at many schools. You don’t have to complete pre-optometry to be admitted to an O.D. program, but it is a good way to get in all the courses that most optometry schools require.

Most programs list prerequisite courses you must have completed during undergraduate studies in order to be considered. As an example, these are the undergraduate courses required for admission to the State University of New York College of Optometry:

Two semesters of general biology with lab
Two semesters of General chemistry with lab
Two semesters of General physics with lab
Two semesters of organic chemistry with lab
One semester of calculus
Two semesters of English composition and literature
Two semesters of Social sciences or humanities
One semester of general psychology
One semester of statistics

Admissions guidelines also recommend that applicants take microbiology, biochemistry and physiology and anatomy. If you don’t complete a pre-optometry degree, a science degree with these courses will be adequate for admission to most O.D. programs.

What Else is Required for Admission to Optometry School?

The specific courses you take in an undergraduate program represent just one requirement that competitive optometry schools have for applicants. You’ll probably also need to have the following to be admitted:

A score of 300 or higher on the Optometry Admission Test (OAT)
A minimum overall grade point average (GPA) of 3.0
A minimum GPA of 3.5 in science courses
Letters of recommendation including one from a science professor, one from a boss or supervisor and one from an optometrist
An application with fee
A criminal background check

Many schools require a reference letter from an optometrist to attest to your knowledge about optometry. You need to be able to show you understand what it means to be an optometrist and are serious about completing a degree program. If you haven’t worked in an optometry office, you can get a letter by shadowing an optometrist for a day to see what the career is like. Also consider applying for an internship or volunteer position with an optometrist.

You will probably also have to go through an interview process to be admitted to optometry school. A school will only set up interviews with applicants who meet the requirements and are good candidates for a position in the program. Expect to wait a few weeks or a couple of months after submitting your application to get a call for an interview.

The Optometrist Degree

To become an optometrist, you must earn an O.D., Doctor of Optometry, degree. This is a four-year degree. According to the Association of Schools and Colleges of Optometry there are just 23 accredited O.D. programs in the U.S., including one in Puerto Rico:

University of Alabama at Birmingham School of Optometry
Arizona College of Optometry, Midwestern University
Southern California College of Optometry at Marshall B. Ketchum University
University of California – Berkeley, School of Optometry
Western University of Health Sciences College of Optometry
Nova Southeastern University College of Optometry
Chicago College of Optometry, Midwestern University
Illinois College of Optometry
Indiana University School of Optometry
University of Pikeville – Kentucky College of Optometry
Massachusetts College of Pharmacy and Health Sciences School of Optometry
New England College of Optometry
Michigan College of Optometry at Ferris State University
University of Missouri at St. Louis College of Optometry
State University of New York College of Optometry
Ohio State University College of Optometry
Northeastern State University – Oklahoma College of Optometry
Pacific University College of Optometry
Pennsylvania College of Optometry at Salus University
Inter American University of Puerto Rico School of Optometry
Southern College of Optometry
University of Houston College of Optometry
University of the Incarnate Word Rosenberg School of Optometry

The limited number of schools of optometry and universities with optometry programs is why admissions are competitive. In order to get into one of these programs, you must beat out other applicants. You need good grades and a science-focused degree from a four-year institution.

O.D. programs vary a little by school but generally take four years to complete. Each program provides a curriculum to train students to do the work of optometry. This means learning biology and anatomy, eye optics, vision science, optometric practice, critical thinking, evidence-based practice and clinical work.

You’ll also learn about eye diseases and treatment, vision therapies, vision rehabilitation and how to examine and diagnose patients. Students learn about doctor-patient interactions and relationships and practice management. Many programs include a community health course and resources for delivering care to underserved populations.

Optometry Residency Positions

A residency program provides clinical training for post-doctoral optometrists. This is not required to get licensed and begin working as an optometrist, but there are many good reasons to complete a residency:

It may be a requirement for a job you apply for later. Positions in veterans hospitals and clinics often require residency for optometrist applicants.
A residency is often a requirement for clinical faculty positions in optometry schools.
You’ll learn a lot in a residency program with hands-on training.
Residencies often take place in unique settings catering to geriatric patients or socioeconomically disadvantaged patients.
Residency positions encourage lifelong learning and contribute to the education of the next generation of optometrists.

With an O.D. and a state license, you will be prepared to begin working as an entry-level, general optometrist. A residency position gives you additional training, usually in a specialty area. It lasts for 12 months and includes advanced optometry topics, seminars and, in some cases, research. Most residents are paid a stipend to complete the program.

Some of the types of specialty you can train for in a residency program are family practice, vision therapy and rehabilitation, geriatric optometry, pediatric optometry, ocular disease, ocular surgery, low visio, and community health optometry.

What Are the Optometrist Requirements for Licensing?

To work as an optometrist, you must be licensed. Every state has its own set of requirements for licensing, but all require an O.D. degree from an accredited school. All states also require that you pass the exam set by the National Board of Examiners in Optometry.

The National Boards includes three parts all licensed optometrists must pass:

Part I – Applied Basic Science. This is a two-part exam with 350 scored items. It covers the science concepts needed for practicing optometry. O.D. students usually take this part of the exam in the spring of their third year.
Part II – Patient Assessment and Management. This portion of the exam assesses the ability to think and make decisions in a clinical setting. It includes diagnosis and treatment. It takes place in two sessions. Students take this in December of their fourth year.
Part III – Clinical Skills. The third part is a hands-on test of clinical skills. Students take the test in a setting that simulates a real optometrist examination room. Students take this exam any time in their fourth year of study.

There are more components to the National Boards, but these three are the minimum required portions for licensing. They are pass/fail, but some states may require higher scores. Some states also require other portions of the exams, such as the Treatment and Management of Ocular Disease exam. Certain states also require applicants for licensing pass a jurisprudence test to show they understand the relevant state laws for practicing optometry.

States also set renewal requirements for an optometry license. You will have to renew your license periodically, every few years typically. Renewal in most states requires that you have completed a certain number of hours of continuing education coursework.

What Are Optometrist Career Paths after Earning a Degree?

While most optometrists work in optometry practices, there are other options and career paths for this profession. For instance, you may choose to start your own practice and be both an optometrist and business owner.

In terms of practices, you can work in a partnership or a group practice with three or more optometrists. Larger practices provide more opportunities to specialize in one area of optometry. Smaller practices require optometrists to do a little bit of everything.

Optometrists can also consider other types of employers. Optometry schools, for instance, hire optometrists as instructors and researchers. Government agencies and the military need optometrists to provide eye care. Optometrists also work for HMOs, ophthalmologist practices, and medical and community clinics.

If you are considering a career in optometry, start planning early. The competitive nature of optometry schools means you need to have all the requirements ready. You should even consider going above and beyond those requirements. Becoming an optometrist is a lengthy journey, but it leads to a rewarding career with good job stability and a high income.

What optometrists actually do

Optometrists examine eyes, diagnose vision problems, and prescribe glasses, contact lenses, and some medications. They are not medical doctors, but they hold a Doctor of Optometry (O.D.) degree, which is a four-year professional doctorate. Many optometrists also detect early signs of conditions like glaucoma, diabetes, and high blood pressure through a routine eye exam.

You will spend most of your day with patients. That means running tests, explaining results, and helping people choose the right corrective lenses. Some optometrists work in private practice. Others work in retail optical chains, hospitals, the military, or community health clinics.

How an optometrist differs from an optician or ophthalmologist

Three titles sound similar, but they represent very different roles and training paths.

An optician fills prescriptions written by others. You fit and adjust glasses and contacts. This role typically requires one to two years of training or an apprenticeship, and many states require a license.

An optometrist examines eyes and writes prescriptions. This requires a four-year O.D. degree after completing an undergraduate program.

An ophthalmologist is a medical doctor who performs eye surgery. That path requires medical school plus a residency of at least three years, and often a fellowship on top of that.

If you are on this page, you are most likely considering the optometrist path. It is the middle route: more clinical than an optician role and shorter to complete than an ophthalmology career.

The steps to becoming a licensed optometrist

Step 1: finish your undergraduate education

You do not need a specific bachelor’s degree major, but you do need to complete specific prerequisite courses. Most optometry schools require biology, chemistry, physics, mathematics, and statistics. A science-focused major like biology, biochemistry, or health sciences makes it easier to check those boxes.

Plan for four years of undergraduate study. Keep your GPA strong. Most accredited optometry programs look for a science GPA of [VERIFY: minimum science GPA at most U.S. optometry programs] or higher.

Step 2: take the OAT

The OAT is the Optometry Admission Test. It covers natural sciences, reading comprehension, physics, and quantitative reasoning. You register through the Association of Schools and Colleges of Optometry (ASCO). You can sit for the OAT while still completing your undergraduate degree, but most programs want to see your scores before reviewing your full application.

Give yourself time to prepare. Many applicants spend three to six months studying before their test date.

Step 3: apply to an accredited optometry program

The Accreditation Council on Optometric Education (ACOE) accredits optometry programs in the United States. There are [VERIFY: current number of ACOE-accredited O.D. programs in the U.S.] accredited programs. You apply through OptomCAS, which is a centralized application service similar to the one medical schools use.

Applications typically open in the spring for fall enrollment the following year. Include your OAT scores, transcripts, letters of recommendation, and a personal statement.

Step 4: complete the four-year O.D. program

The first two years focus on classroom and lab work: anatomy, optics, pharmacology, and ocular disease. The second two years shift to clinical rotations where you work directly with patients under supervision.

Clinical rotations may take place in the school’s own clinic, a veterans’ affairs facility, a hospital, a community health center, or a private practice. The range of settings helps you figure out where you want to work after graduation.

Step 5: pass the NBEO examinations

Before you can practice, you must pass the National Board of Examiners in Optometry (NBEO) exams. These are three separate parts covering applied basic science, patient assessment and management, and a clinical skills component. Most students take the first two parts during their third year and the clinical portion near graduation.

Step 6: get your state license

Every state issues its own optometry license. Requirements vary, but all states require your NBEO scores and a clean background check. Some states also require a jurisprudence exam, which tests your knowledge of that state’s specific laws governing optometry practice.

Check your state’s optometry board website for the exact requirements before you apply. Do not assume what one state requires matches another.

Step 7: consider a residency (optional but worth weighing)

A one-year optometry residency is not required to practice, but it strengthens your skills in a specific area. Common residency tracks include ocular disease, pediatric optometry, low vision rehabilitation, and contact lens specialty practice. If you want to work in a hospital or VA setting, a residency makes your application much more competitive.

How long the full path takes

Count on eight years minimum: four years of undergraduate study plus four years of optometry school. Add one year if you complete a residency. That brings you to nine years from the start of college to independent practice.

Some students take a gap year before optometry school to build clinical hours or strengthen their OAT score. That is a reasonable choice if it improves your application, but factor it into your timeline.

What you can earn as an optometrist

According to BLS May 2025 OEWS data, optometrists earn a median annual wage of [VERIFY: BLS May 2025 median annual wage for optometrists]. Pay varies by setting, state, and years of experience. Optometrists in private practice often earn differently from those working in outpatient care centers or retail optical settings. Owning your own practice changes the income picture significantly, since revenue depends on patient volume and operational costs.

Geographic location also affects pay. States with fewer optometrists relative to population often pay more to attract practitioners.

Skills that help you succeed in optometry school and practice

Strong science knowledge is the obvious one, but it is not the only factor that matters. Optometry requires precise manual dexterity when using diagnostic instruments and fitting contact lenses. You also need clear communication skills because you will explain complex findings to patients who have no medical background.

Attention to detail matters in every exam you run. A missed finding during a routine eye check could indicate a serious underlying health condition. Patients rely on your accuracy, not just your technical knowledge.

Building clinical experience before you apply

Optometry schools want to see that you understand what the job actually involves. Shadow at least one licensed optometrist before you apply. Many advisors suggest 100 or more hours of direct observation. Volunteer at a free clinic if you can. Work as an optician or optical technician. Any hands-on experience in an eye care setting strengthens your application and confirms that this is the right path for you.

Some applicants also join the American Optometric Student Association (AOSA) as a pre-optometry member. The organization gives you access to resources, networking events, and information about programs.

Financial aid and program costs

Optometry school is a significant investment. Tuition varies widely between public and private programs. Public schools typically cost less for in-state students. Federal student loans, school-specific scholarships, and ASCO foundation grants are all worth researching early.

The Indian Health Service and National Health Service Corps both offer loan repayment programs for optometrists who agree to practice in underserved areas for a set number of years. If you are open to working in a rural or low-income setting, these programs can reduce your debt load significantly.

Continuing education after licensure

Once you are licensed, you are not done learning. Every state requires continuing education (CE) to renew your optometry license. Requirements vary by state, but you will typically need to complete a set number of CE hours every one to two years. Topics covered often include ocular disease management, contact lens updates, and changes in state law.

Professional organizations like the American Optometric Association (AOA) and state-level affiliates run conferences and online courses that count toward your CE requirements. Staying current with CE also keeps your clinical skills sharp and your knowledge of new treatments up to date.

Take the next step

If optometry fits your goals, start by mapping out your prerequisite courses and setting a target OAT date. Talk to an optometrist in your area about shadowing. Then explore accredited O.D. programs to compare costs, locations, clinical rotation networks, and residency placement records. The more specific your research, the clearer your decision becomes.

Use the program search tools on the ASCO website and your state’s optometry board site to build your list. Getting informed now saves time and prevents surprises once applications open.

What optometrists actually do

Optometrists examine eyes, diagnose vision problems, and prescribe corrective lenses or medication. They also screen for eye diseases like glaucoma and macular degeneration. Some optometrists fit contact lenses or provide low-vision therapy. You work mostly in private offices, retail optical chains, or group practices. Patients range from young children getting their first eye exam to older adults managing chronic conditions.

Optometrists are not the same as ophthalmologists. Ophthalmologists are medical doctors who perform eye surgery. Optometrists provide primary eye care and can prescribe therapeutic drugs in all 50 states, but surgery is outside their scope in most states. Understanding that difference matters before you commit to this path.

The education path to becoming an optometrist

The path has two clear stages: a bachelor’s degree, then a four-year Doctor of Optometry (OD) program. The OD is the professional degree required for licensure in every state.

Undergraduate preparation

You do not need a specific major for optometry school, but you do need specific courses. Most programs require biology, chemistry, physics, math, and statistics at the college level. A science-heavy major like biology, biochemistry, or neuroscience makes sense because it covers most prerequisites in one degree.

Your GPA matters. Optometry schools are competitive. Most admitted students have a science GPA above [VERIFY: current average science GPA for admitted OD students]. Work experience in an optometry office also helps your application, and many schools list it as a requirement.

The OAT exam

Before applying to OD programs, you take the Optometry Admission Test (OAT). The OAT covers natural sciences, reading comprehension, physics, and quantitative reasoning. You can take it after completing the required science courses, usually in your junior or senior year of college. The exam is administered by the Association of Schools and Colleges of Optometry (ASCO).

Doctor of Optometry programs

There are 23 accredited OD programs in the United States, accredited by the Accreditation Council on Optometric Education (ACOE), the body that reviews and approves optometry schools. Programs take four years to complete. The first two years focus on classroom and lab work in anatomy, optics, pharmacology, and disease. The last two years are mostly clinical rotations where you examine real patients in supervised settings.

Some programs offer dual degrees, such as an OD combined with a Master of Public Health or a PhD in vision science. Those tracks take longer but open doors in research or administration.

Residency programs

A residency after the OD is optional, not required for licensure. Residencies run one year and focus on a specialty area, such as low vision, pediatric optometry, ocular disease, or contact lenses. If you want to work in a hospital setting or specialize in a complex area, a residency makes you a stronger candidate. Many academic medical centers and VA hospitals offer optometry residency positions.

Licensing requirements

Every state requires you to pass two national board exams before you can practice. These are administered by the National Board of Examiners in Optometry (NBEO). The exams cover applied basic science, patient care, and clinical skills. Some states add their own jurisprudence exam, which tests your knowledge of that state’s specific optometry laws.

After you pass the boards and meet your state’s requirements, you apply for a license through the state optometry board. License renewal usually requires completing continuing education hours every one to two years.

How long it takes

Count on at least eight years of education after high school: four years of college plus four years of OD school. If you add a one-year residency, that brings the total to nine years. Some students take a gap year between college and optometry school, or complete prerequisite courses at a community college first, which can add time.

That timeline is long, and you should plan your finances around it. OD programs are graduate-level programs, so tuition costs are higher than undergraduate tuition. Federal loans, scholarships from optometry associations, and military health professions scholarships are common ways students fund this degree.

Salary and career outlook

Pay for optometrists varies by setting, location, and years of experience. According to BLS May 2025 OEWS data, the median annual wage for optometrists in the United States is [VERIFY: BLS May 2025 median annual wage for optometrists]. Earnings tend to be higher in private practice and lower in community health center roles, though community health positions sometimes include loan repayment benefits that affect total compensation.

Optometrists who own their own practice can earn more than employed optometrists, but ownership also comes with business overhead and management responsibilities. Many new graduates start as associate optometrists in an established practice and buy in or open their own office later in their career.

Skills and personal fit

Optometry rewards patience and precision. You spend much of your day running detailed tests, explaining results clearly, and adjusting your communication style for different patients. You need steady hands for contact lens fittings and careful attention to detail when reading diagnostic equipment. Business skills also matter, especially if you plan to own a practice.

You spend most of your working hours in a clinical setting. Schedules are usually predictable compared to many healthcare roles. Most optometrists work Monday through Friday with limited evening or weekend hours, though retail-based optometry offices often have weekend hours.

Comparing optometry to related careers

If you are weighing optometry against similar healthcare careers, it helps to look at the full picture.

Optometrist vs. optician

An optician fits and dispenses eyeglasses and contact lenses based on prescriptions written by an optometrist or ophthalmologist. Opticians do not examine eyes or diagnose conditions. The education path is much shorter: typically a one- to two-year program or apprenticeship. If you want to enter the eye care field faster and with less debt, becoming an optician is a direct route. You can also use optician work as hands-on experience before applying to optometry school.

Optometrist vs. ophthalmologist

Ophthalmologists complete medical school, then a residency in ophthalmology, and often a fellowship on top of that. The training path is longer and more expensive than optometry. Ophthalmologists can perform surgery; optometrists cannot in most states. The right choice depends on whether surgical training is something you want to pursue.

Questions to ask before you apply

Before you commit eight or more years and significant money to this path, work through a few concrete questions.

Have you shadowed or worked in an optometry office? Most schools require it, and the experience will confirm whether you actually enjoy the work.
Have you looked at the total cost of the OD programs you are considering, including living expenses?
Do you have a realistic plan for managing student loan debt after graduation?
Are you aiming for a specific practice setting, such as private practice, a hospital, or a retail chain? Some settings pay more; others offer better work-life balance.
Have you researched the licensure requirements in the state where you plan to practice? Requirements vary by state, especially for therapeutic drug prescribing privileges.

Steps to take right now

If optometry is the direction you want to go, start with concrete actions you can take this week or this semester.

First, contact your college’s pre-health advisor and map out the prerequisite courses you still need. Second, start looking for part-time or volunteer work in an optometry office. Even a few hours per week builds experience and shows admissions committees you understand the field. Third, review the ASCO website for the full list of accredited OD programs and their specific prerequisites, because requirements vary between schools. Fourth, create a timeline that maps your OAT prep, application deadlines, and financial aid research alongside your coursework.

The earlier you build that timeline, the fewer surprises you face when application season arrives.

Ready to find programs that fit your goals? Browse accredited optometry programs through the Association of Schools and Colleges of Optometry and compare admission requirements, program length, and clinical training opportunities to find the right fit for you.