California State Board of Optometry

Frequently Asked Questions About Obtaining A License

Q: What do I have to do to obtain a license to practice optometry in California?
A: To obtain a license to practice optometry in California, you must do the following:

  • Submit a completed "APPLICATION FOR LICENSURE AS AN OPTOMETRIST".

    To download an application, visit the board's web site at www.optometry.ca.gov. Click on the link entitled "Licensee/Applicant Information" located on the left side of the Board's homepage. Then click on "Application for Licensure As An Optometrist".

    If you are an out of state licensed optometrist who sat for the National Board of Examiners in Optometry (NBEO) examinations prior to January 1, 2000, you will need to submit a completed "APPLICATION FOR LICENSURE BY AN OUT OF STATE LICENSED OPTOMETRIST". For information on obtaining this form, please contact the Board.

  • Submit a non-refundable application fee of $275.00
  • Have graduated from an approved school of optometry. You must request that your school send directly to the Board, an official school transcript showing that you were awarded a degree in "Doctor of Optometry" and the year it was awarded.
  • Have your fingerprints taken for criminal background check.

    CALIFORNIA RESIDENTS: Must use the live scan form for this service. Live scan forms can be obtained by submitting a request to the Board. For information on live scan service and locations, go to the California Office of the Attorney General's web site at www.caag.state.ca.us, click on "Fingerprint Submissions", and then click on "List of Applicant Live Scan Sites". A live scan fingerprint fee of $51.00 is to be paid at your live scan site at the time you submit your live scan form for service.

    NON-CALIFORNIA RESIDENTS: Must use a paper fingerprint card and service. The card is obtained by submitting a request to the Board. For information on fingerprint card service and locations, contact your local, county or state law enforcement agency.

    The fee for the fingerprint card background check is $51.00. Submit this fee, payable to the Board of Optometry, along with your application.

  • Have been successful in the NBEO examination, parts I, II, & III. You must request that an official transcript of your scores (OSR) be sent directly to the Board.

    INTERNATIONAL GRADUATES: In order to sit for NBEO examinations, you must receive Board permission. To receive permission from the Board, you must submit a written request along with a certified copy of your official school transcript showing that you were awarded a degree in "Doctor of Optometry"

  • Have been successful in the California Laws and Regulations Examination.

    The Laws and Regulations are listed in the 2006 Edition of the California Laws and Regulations related to the Practice of Optometry. To review or download the laws and regulations, you may visit the Board's web site and click on the link entitled "Laws & Regulations". Then click on the link entitled "2006 Law Book". You may also wish to purchase the 2006 Law Book by contacting the publisher's customer service department at 800-833-9844.

Applications for licensure are good for one year from the date of receipt at the Board's office

QUESTIONS ABOUT OBTAINING A PERMIT OR OTHER LICENSES

Q: What do I have to do to obtain a permit or other license?
A: Permits, certifications and other licenses, are issued after a person has been issued a license to practice optometry. The Board is also authorized to issue the following permits, licenses and
certifications:

Permits:

  • FNP Fictitious Name Permit

Licenses:

  • SOL Statement of Licensure
  • BOL Branch Office License

Certifications:

  • TPA Use of Therapeutic Pharmaceutical Agents
  • TPL Use of Therapeutic Pharmaceutical Agents and perform Lacrimal Irrigation and Dilation
  • TPG Use of Therapeutic Pharmaceutical Agents and treat Primary Open Angle Glaucoma
  • TLG Use of Therapeutic Pharmaceutical Agents, perform Lacrimal Irrigation and Dilation
    and treat Primary Open Angle Glaucoma

To obtain one of these permits, licenses or certifications, you may go to the Board's web-site at www.optometry.ca.gov, click on "Permits/Forms/Applications". You may download these forms or you may request a form from the Board. Each permit, license and certification has instructions on their respective requirements, or you may contact the Board's Division of Licensing for information.