How to Become an Optometrist: Education, OAT, Licensure & Timeline

Quick answer. Earn a bachelor's degree with required science prerequisites, sit the Optometry Admission Test (OAT), complete a 4-year Doctor of Optometry (OD) program at an ACOE-accredited school, pass the NBEO Parts I through III, and obtain a state license. Total time: roughly 8 years after high school, or 4 years if you count only post-undergraduate training.

What Does an Optometrist Do?

Optometrists are primary eye care providers who examine eyes for vision problems and disease, prescribe corrective lenses, diagnose conditions such as glaucoma and macular degeneration, and in most states prescribe therapeutic medications. They serve as the front line of eye health for millions of Americans, handling everything from annual wellness exams to the co-management of post-surgical patients.

A typical day in an optometry practice includes:

• Comprehensive eye and vision examinations
• Contact lens fittings and follow-up care
• Screening for systemic conditions with ocular manifestations, such as diabetes and hypertension
• Prescribing and managing ocular medications for infections, dry eye, and glaucoma
• Low-vision rehabilitation and vision therapy
• Pre- and post-operative care for refractive and cataract surgery patients

OD vs. Ophthalmologist vs. Optician

Many patients use these titles interchangeably, but the three roles are distinct in training, scope, and responsibility.

Understanding this distinction helps patients seek the right provider and helps aspiring ODs position their career within the larger eye care team. To learn more about allied roles, see the optometry technician job description and the guide to ophthalmic assistant certification.

Optometrist Career Timeline at a Glance

Undergraduate Prerequisites for Optometry School

Most ACOE-accredited optometry schools do not require a specific major, but they do require a rigorous set of science and mathematics courses. Meeting these prerequisites with strong grades is the single biggest academic factor in admissions decisions.

Common Prerequisite Courses

• General biology with lab (2 semesters)
• General chemistry with lab (2 semesters)
• Organic chemistry with lab (1 to 2 semesters)
• Biochemistry (1 semester, increasingly required)
• Physics with lab (2 semesters)
• Calculus or statistics (1 semester)
• English or writing-intensive course (1 to 2 semesters)
• Microbiology or cell biology (sometimes required)

Requirements vary by school. Always verify prerequisites on each program's official website or through the Association of Schools and Colleges of Optometry (ASCO), which publishes updated program information.

What Major Should You Choose?

Biology, neuroscience, biochemistry, and health sciences are popular choices because they cover most prerequisites naturally. Psychology and kinesiology majors also apply successfully. The key is maintaining a high overall and science GPA, ideally 3.5 or above, while still pursuing leadership, research, or community service that strengthens your personal statement.

Gaining Optometry Experience Before Applying

Admissions committees expect applicants to have spent time shadowing or working in an optometric or eye care setting. A minimum of 100 hours of documented optometry experience is commonly cited as a floor, with competitive applicants averaging 200 hours or more. Shadow both an OD in private practice and one in a clinical or hospital setting if possible to demonstrate breadth of interest. This experience is also invaluable for writing a compelling personal statement.

The Optometry Admission Test (OAT)

The OAT is a standardized, computer-based exam administered by the Association of Schools and Colleges of Optometry. It is required for admission to all ACOE-accredited optometry programs in the United States and Canada.

OAT Exam Structure

• Survey of Natural Sciences: Biology, general chemistry, and organic chemistry (90 questions, 90 minutes)
• Reading Comprehension: Three passages on science topics (40 questions, 50 minutes)
• Physics: Classical mechanics, optics, thermodynamics, and waves (40 questions, 50 minutes)
• Quantitative Reasoning: Algebra, statistics, probability, and trigonometry (40 questions, 45 minutes)

Scores range from 200 to 400 on each section, with 300 representing the average. Most admitted students score 330 to 360 or higher. Optometry schools receive your scores directly from ASCO.

OAT Preparation Tips

1. Start early. Give yourself three to six months of dedicated study time, more if your science background is uneven.
2. Use official prep materials. The ASCO OAT Practice Test is the closest simulation of the real exam format.
3. Focus on physics. Many applicants with strong biology backgrounds underestimate the physics section, which requires comfort with optics and wave phenomena particularly relevant to optometry.
4. Take timed practice tests. Pacing is as important as content knowledge.
5. Review weak areas systematically. Kaplan, Chad's Videos, and the Princeton Review OAT prep books are widely used supplementary resources.
6. Schedule strategically. You can retake the OAT after 90 days. All scores are reported, so aim to perform your best on the first attempt.

Applying to Optometry School (OptomCAS)

The Optometry Centralized Application Service (OptomCAS) is the primary application portal for U.S. optometry schools. Applications typically open in July and the cycle runs through spring of the following year, though competitive programs fill seats on a rolling basis well before official deadlines.

OptomCAS Application Components

• Academic transcripts from every institution attended
• OAT scores (sent directly from ASCO)
• Three letters of recommendation, at least one from an optometrist and one from a science faculty member
• Personal statement (4,500 characters maximum)
• Optometry experience documentation
• Program-specific supplemental applications (additional fees and essays)

How Many Schools Should You Apply To?

Most applicants apply to 5 to 12 programs. Applying broadly is wise because acceptance rates at individual schools can range from 10 to 50 percent depending on the program and year. Balance your list with reach programs where your stats fall at the lower end of reported averages, target programs that match your profile well, and safety programs where your stats are clearly above the mean.

There are 23 ACOE-accredited optometry programs in the United States. Program size, location, tuition, research focus, and clinical rotation sites all differ significantly. Visit campus, attend open houses, and speak with current students before ranking your choices.

The Personal Statement

The personal statement is one of the few places you can distinguish yourself beyond numbers. Admission committees want to understand why optometry specifically, not just eye care generally, and what experiences have shaped that commitment. Concrete stories about patient encounters you witnessed during your shadowing hours tend to be far more compelling than abstract statements about wanting to help people.

The OD Curriculum: What to Expect in Optometry School

The Doctor of Optometry is a four-year professional degree. The first two years are primarily classroom and laboratory instruction; the final two years shift to intensive clinical training.

Years 1 and 2: Foundational Sciences

• Ocular anatomy and physiology
• Geometric, physical, and ophthalmic optics
• Pharmacology of ocular and systemic drugs
• Ocular disease and pathology
• Systemic disease and its ocular manifestations
• Visual perception and neuroscience
• Clinical procedures labs (slit lamp, ophthalmoscopy, tonometry, refraction)
• Contact lens science
• Practice management fundamentals

Most programs administer the NBEO Part I after the second year. This two-part basic science examination covers Optics and Visual Science and is a prerequisite for clinical advancement in many states.

Years 3 and 4: Clinical Rotations

The final two years involve rotations through a variety of clinical settings, including the school's own teaching clinic, affiliated Veterans Affairs medical centers, community health centers, private practices, and specialty referral centers. Core rotation areas typically include:

• Primary care optometry
• Contact lens and refractive care
• Pediatric and binocular vision
• Ocular disease and anterior segment
• Low vision and vision rehabilitation
• Geriatric and systemic disease clinics

Students typically see hundreds of patients under attending supervision and begin building independent clinical judgment. NBEO Part II (Patient Assessment and Management) and Part III (Treatment and Management of Ocular Disease, or TMOD) are taken during or shortly after year four.

NBEO Licensing Exams

The National Board of Examiners in Optometry (NBEO) administers the standardized examinations that most states accept as the basis for licensure.

NBEO Part I: Basic Science

Part I covers two distinct areas tested on separate days:

• Applied Basic Science (ABS): Anatomy, physiology, biochemistry, microbiology, pharmacology, and public health as applied to optometry practice
• Optics and Visual Science (OVS): Geometric optics, physical optics, physiological optics, and visual perception

Most students sit Part I during or after their second year of OD school. A passing score of 75 or above (on a 0 to 100 scale) is required on each section.

NBEO Part II: Patient Assessment and Management (PAM)

Part II is a case-based examination testing clinical decision-making across all optometric domains: primary care, contact lenses, binocular vision, pediatrics, ocular disease, systemic disease, and low vision. Students typically take this during their fourth year.

NBEO Part III: Treatment and Management of Ocular Disease (TMOD)

TMOD is a clinical skills examination administered at approved testing centers where candidates interact with standardized patients. It assesses history taking, external and anterior segment examination, posterior segment examination, and clinical communication. TMOD is often the final NBEO hurdle before licensure.

State Licensure

After passing NBEO examinations, graduates must apply for licensure in each state where they wish to practice. Requirements vary, but the general process includes:

1. Submitting proof of graduation from an ACOE-accredited program
2. Providing official NBEO score reports
3. Passing a state-specific jurisprudence examination on optometry law and ethics (required in approximately 40 states)
4. Submitting a background check and application fee
5. Providing references or letters from supervisory ODs (some states)

Most state boards process applications within 2 to 12 weeks. New graduates are often able to begin work under a temporary or provisional license while their full license is pending. License renewal typically occurs every 1 to 2 years and requires continuing education credits.

For detailed state-specific requirements, consult the American Optometric Association (AOA), which maintains resources on licensure requirements in every state and territory.

Optometry Residencies and Specialties

Although a residency is optional, it is increasingly valued for competitive positions in academic medical centers, VA hospitals, specialty practices, and certain corporate settings. Residencies are one-year post-graduate programs accredited by the Accreditation Council on Optometric Education (ACOE).

Common Residency Types

• Ocular disease / primary eye care: Emphasis on diagnosis and management of anterior and posterior segment disease
• Cornea, contact lenses, and refractive technologies: Fitting specialty and scleral lenses, co-managing refractive surgery
• Pediatrics and binocular vision: Amblyopia, strabismus, and vision therapy for children
• Low vision rehabilitation: Assistive devices, magnification, and functional training for patients with permanent vision loss
• Geriatrics and vision rehabilitation: Eye care in nursing home and long-term care settings
• Neuro-optometry: Vision disorders related to acquired brain injury, neurological disease, and stroke

Completing a residency can qualify you for Fellowship in the American Academy of Optometry (FAAO), a recognized credential that signals advanced clinical expertise. Learn more about the full range of optometry career paths to see how residency training opens doors.

Optometrist Salary and Job Outlook

Optometry offers strong and stable compensation relative to the length of training required, and the job market is healthy heading into the late 2020s.

Salary Data

According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics Occupational Outlook Handbook, the median annual wage for optometrists was approximately $132,000 as of recent survey data, with the top 10 percent earning well above $200,000. Compensation varies by setting:

• Private practice (owner): $150,000 to $250,000+ depending on practice size and location
• Private practice (associate/employed): $110,000 to $160,000
• Corporate optical (LensCrafters, Walmart Vision, Target Optical): $100,000 to $140,000 with predictable hours
• Veterans Affairs / federal employment: $120,000 to $175,000 with strong federal benefits
• Academic and teaching positions: $100,000 to $160,000

Job Growth

The BLS projects optometrist employment to grow approximately 9 percent over the 2022 to 2032 decade, faster than the average for all occupations. Drivers of demand include an aging population with rising rates of presbyopia, diabetes-related eye disease, and macular degeneration; increased awareness of eye health; and geographic gaps in optometric coverage in rural and underserved communities.

Cost of Optometry School and Return on Investment

Optometry school is a significant financial commitment. Total tuition and fees for a four-year program range from approximately $120,000 at lower-cost public schools to over $250,000 at private institutions, before factoring in living expenses. Most graduates finance their education through a combination of federal student loans, scholarships, and institutional aid.

Managing Debt

• Public Service Loan Forgiveness (PSLF): ODs employed full-time at qualifying nonprofits, VA hospitals, or FQHCs may be eligible for PSLF after 10 years of qualifying payments.
• Income-Driven Repayment (IDR): Plans such as SAVE cap monthly payments to a percentage of discretionary income, which helps new graduates in lower-earning associate roles manage cash flow.
• National Health Service Corps: Optometrists are eligible for NHSC loan repayment in exchange for service in Health Professional Shortage Areas.
• Practice ownership: Building or buying a practice can dramatically increase earning potential over a career, though it requires additional capital and business management skills.

Given median starting salaries of $100,000 or more and a career spanning 30 or more years, the return on investment for an optometry degree is generally favorable, particularly for graduates who manage debt proactively and build toward ownership or specialty practice.

What to Look for in an Optometry School

With 23 accredited programs in the United States, choosing the right fit matters. Consider these factors:

• NBEO pass rates: Schools publish first-time board pass rates. National averages hover around 90 percent; look for programs consistently at or above that mark.
• Clinical rotation diversity: Strong programs place students in VA systems, community health centers, rural sites, and specialty referral clinics, not just the in-school clinic.
• Residency match success: If you know you want a residency, look at where recent graduates have matched.
• Faculty research and specialty tracks: Programs with funded research or specialty tracks in low vision, cornea, or neuro-optometry can shape your career focus.
• Cost and financial aid: In-state tuition at state schools can be $30,000 to $40,000 per year less than comparable private programs.
• Student support and wellness resources: The OD curriculum is demanding. Schools that invest in student mental health and tutoring tend to have better outcomes.

Life After Optometry School: Building Your Practice

Most new optometry graduates join an established practice as an associate, work in a corporate optical setting, or pursue a residency. Practice ownership is typically a 5 to 10 year goal once clinical skills, patient relationships, and capital accumulate.

Regardless of setting, modern optometry practices run on integrated practice management and EHR software. New ODs joining or building practices benefit from platforms built for the specialty. The all-in-one optometry EHR software and best optometry software guides on this site break down what to look for. Practices that run on purpose-built tools like Jelo, priced at a flat $200 per month, free up ODs to focus on patients instead of administrative overhead. If you are evaluating software as you plan your launch, book a quick demo to see what a modern workflow looks like.

Frequently Asked Questions

How long does it take to become an optometrist?

Plan on approximately 8 years: 3 to 4 years of undergraduate education plus 4 years of optometry school. Adding a one-year residency brings the total to 9 years.

Is optometry school harder than medical school?

Optometry school and medical school both involve rigorous science and clinical training. The curriculum is more focused for ODs, concentrating on the eye and visual system, while medical school covers all body systems. Neither is easy; both require significant dedication and academic preparation.

Can you get into optometry school with a low GPA?

A science GPA below 3.0 makes admission challenging but not impossible if compensated by a very high OAT score, strong clinical experience, research, or a compelling personal story. Some programs also offer post-baccalaureate coursework pathways for applicants who need to strengthen their science record.

Do optometrists go to medical school?

No. Optometrists attend a separate Doctor of Optometry program, not an MD or DO program. Ophthalmologists, who perform eye surgery, attend medical school and complete a surgical residency.

What is the OAT test for optometry school?

The Optometry Admission Test (OAT) is a standardized exam covering biology, chemistry, organic chemistry, physics, quantitative reasoning, and reading comprehension. It is required by all ACOE-accredited programs and scores range from 200 to 400 per section.

How much does optometry school cost?

Tuition over four years ranges from roughly $120,000 at public schools to more than $250,000 at private institutions. Adding living expenses and fees, total cost of attendance can reach $200,000 to $350,000 at many programs.

What states offer the best job market for optometrists?

Rural and underserved states, including many in the South and Midwest, frequently have the highest demand relative to supply. However, compensation tends to be highest in coastal metropolitan areas. Federal and VA positions are distributed nationally and often offer competitive salaries with strong benefits.

Is a residency required to practice optometry?

No. The majority of new graduates enter practice directly after passing boards and obtaining licensure. A residency is optional and pursued primarily by those seeking specialty expertise, academic or VA careers, or a competitive edge in the job market.

What is the difference between an OD and a DO in eye care?

An OD is a Doctor of Optometry, trained specifically in eye and vision care. A DO is a Doctor of Osteopathic Medicine, a physician with full prescriptive and surgical scope who may or may not specialize in ophthalmology. When a DO specializes in eyes, they complete an ophthalmology surgical residency and are properly referred to as an ophthalmologist.

Can optometrists prescribe medications?

Yes. All 50 states and the District of Columbia grant optometrists therapeutic prescriptive authority, allowing them to prescribe a broad range of ocular medications including antibiotics, antivirals, anti-inflammatories, glaucoma drops, and dry eye treatments.