How to Become an Optometrist

Key Steps to Becoming an Optometrist

There are seven mandatory steps to becoming an optometrist, with an optional eighth step.

Step 1: Complete Your Undergraduate Degree with the Right Prerequisites

You don’t need a specific major to become an optometrist. Biology and chemistry are popular, but admissions committees care far more about your prerequisite coursework than whatever department name appears on your diploma. Major in something you’re good at, and make sure you cover the required science courses along the way.

Every accredited optometry program expects at least one year each of biology, general chemistry, organic chemistry, physics, and math. Many also require microbiology, biochemistry, statistics, and English composition. Check the specific requirements for each school on the Association of Schools and Colleges of Optometry (ASCO) website.

Optometry school admissions are competitive, and your science GPA carries significant weight. The most competitive programs look for at least a 3.5 GPA.

Step 2: Build Clinical Exposure and Shadowing Hours

Most optometry programs expect you to shadow at least two different optometrists in different practice settings. Aim for at least 100 hours, though a more diverse experience only helps your application stand out.

Reach out to local optometrists directly. Most are happy to host students once or twice per week. Pay attention to how they interact with patients, the technology they use, and the types of conditions they manage. These details become the foundation of a strong personal statement and will give you real material to discuss in interviews.

Step 3: Take and Score Well on the Optometry Admission Test (OAT)

The OAT is your gateway to optometry school, and every accredited U.S. program requires it. Administered by the American Dental Association on behalf of ASCO, the exam tests four areas: 

1. Survey of Natural Sciences (biology, general chemistry, and organic chemistry)
2. Reading Comprehension
3. Physics
4. Quantitative Reasoning

The exam costs $520, is offered year-round at Prometric test centers, and takes about five hours, including breaks. Scores range from 200 to 400, with 300 representing the 50th percentile. A competitive score is 320 or above, though your target score will vary by program.

Plan to study for two to four months before sitting for the OAT, ideally after you’ve completed organic chemistry and physics. Take the exam by the summer before you plan to apply.

You can retake the OAT after a 60-day waiting period, with a maximum of four attempts per 12-month period. After your fifth attempt, you’re limited to one retake per year. 

Partial fee waivers covering 50% of the test fee are available on a first-come, first-served basis for applicants with documented financial hardship.

Step 4: Apply Through OptomCAS and Get Accepted to Optometry School

OptomCAS is the centralized application system for optometry schools. You fill out one application, including academic transcripts, personal statement, letters of recommendation, and extracurricular activities, and send it to multiple schools at once.

Most programs use rolling admissions, which means applying early in the cycle gives you an advantage. Submit your application by August or September for admission the following fall. Waiting until the deadline often means fewer available seats.

Letters of recommendation should come from science faculty members and at least one practicing optometrist. Write a personal statement that demonstrates firsthand understanding of what optometrists actually do day-to-day.

There are 25 accredited optometry schools in the United States (including one in Puerto Rico). Admission is competitive, so apply to several programs to maximize your chances of admission.

Step 5: Complete Your Four-Year Doctor of Optometry (OD) Program

The first two years of optometry school are classroom-heavy, covering optics, pharmacology, ocular disease, anatomy, and physiology. Years three and four shift toward clinical rotations where you examine real patients under supervision.

You’ll rotate through specialty clinics in areas like contact lenses, pediatric eye care, low vision, ocular disease, and binocular vision. Use these rotations to figure out which area of practice excites you most, as that decision shapes the rest of your career.

Get involved beyond the classroom. Join student organizations through the American Optometric Association (AOA) or specialty groups. These connections build your professional network before you even graduate.

Step 6: Pass the National Board Exams (NBEO)

The National Board of Examiners in Optometry (NBEO) administers a multi-part licensing examination that every state requires before you can practice. You’ll take these exams during your third and fourth years of optometry school.

• Part I (Applied Basic Science — ABS): Taken in the spring of your third year, and covers foundational science knowledge.
• Part II (Patient Assessment and Management — PAM): Taken in December of your fourth year and includes the Treatment and Management of Ocular Disease (TMOD) section. Most states require TMOD passage for full prescribing privileges.
• Part III (Patient Education and Population Skills — PEPS): A hands-on clinical skills exam taken during your fourth year at an NBEO testing center.

All 50 states require passing these national board exams. Some states also require additional state-specific jurisprudence or clinical examinations, so check your target state’s board of optometry website early.

Step 7: Obtain Your State License and Start Practicing

After graduating and passing your NBEO exams, apply for licensure in the state where you plan to practice. Each state board sets its own requirements, but the process generally involves submitting your NBEO scores, final transcript, and a licensing fee.

Every state requires continuing education (CE) to maintain your license. The number of CE hours and approved course formats vary by state, and some states mandate current CPR certification as well. Your license does not automatically transfer between states, so if you relocate, you’ll need to apply for a new license in that state.

Step 8 (Optional): Complete a Residency for Specialization

Residency programs are optional but increasingly valuable. A one-year residency lets you specialize in areas like pediatric optometry, ocular disease, low vision rehabilitation, neuro-optometry, or sports vision.

There are over 250 accredited optometric residency programs in the U.S., coordinated through the Optometry Residency Match (ORMatch). A residency deepens your clinical skills and makes you more competitive for hospital-based positions, academic roles, and specialty practices.

Board certification through the American Board of Optometry (ABO) is another optional credential that demonstrates advanced competence. Earning ABO certification can open doors to higher-level clinical and teaching positions.

FAQs: How to Become an Optometrist

1. What Degree Do You Need to Become an Optometrist?

You need a Doctor of Optometry (OD) degree from an accredited optometry school. Before that, you’ll complete a bachelor’s degree with the required science prerequisites. The OD is the only degree that qualifies you to practice optometry in the United States.

2. What’s the Difference Between an Optometrist and an Ophthalmologist?

Optometrists earn a Doctor of Optometry (OD) degree and focus on primary eye care, including vision exams, prescribing corrective lenses, diagnosing conditions, and managing eye diseases with medication. Ophthalmologists are medical doctors (MDs or DOs) who complete medical school plus a residency and can perform eye surgery. Both work in eye care, but the training paths and scope of practice differ significantly.

3. How Competitive Is Optometry School Admission?

Optometry school is competitive, but not as much as medical school. A strong science GPA (3.3+), solid OAT scores (320+), meaningful shadowing experience, and a compelling personal statement make a well-rounded application. Apply to multiple programs and submit early in the cycle to give yourself the best chance of admission.

4. Can You Become an Optometrist Without a Bachelor’s Degree?

Yes, a few optometry schools accept applicants who have completed three years of undergraduate coursework with all prerequisites fulfilled, even without a conferred bachelor’s degree. Some of these programs award a bachelor’s degree after the first year of optometry school.

5. Do Optometrists Need to Complete a Residency?

No, a residency is optional for optometrists. You can practice as a licensed optometrist immediately after passing your board exams. However, a residency gives you specialized training that opens doors to niche clinical roles, hospital positions, and academic careers.
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‍Dr. Jonathan Preminger was the original author of this article. Snippets of his work may remain.