Optometrist-Diagnostic Licensure Requirements Snapshot

Pennsylvania Licensure Requirements

Optometrist with a focus in diagnostics. Diagnostics refers to any means or method compatible with optometric education and professional competence. The term shall encompass the use of pharmaceutical agents for diagnostic purposes classified as miotics, mydriatics, cycloplegics, topical anesthetics and dyes when applied topically to the eye, which pharmaceutical agents shall be approved by the Secretary of Health.

To become an optometrist with a focus in diagnostics, you must be:

·       A person holding of Doctor of Optometry from an accredited optometric educational institution in the United States or Canada

·       21 years of age or older.

·       Completed the educational requirements prescribed by the Board

·       A person of good moral character.

·       Finish high school or complete an equivalent program.

·       Not addicted in the use of alcohol or narcotics or other habit forming drugs

·       Pays the appropriate fee for examination

Examination Requirement: 

1 Examination

To become a licensed optometrist in Pennsylvania, individuals must meet certain education and training requirements. This includes passing all parts of the National Board of Examiners in Optometry (NBEO) examination.

Experience: 

No Experience Requirement
No experience requirement for licensure.

Continuing Education:

3 Hours (for initial licensure) 

·Applicants must complete 3 hours of Board-approved continuing education in child abuse recognition and reporting for initial licensure. 

4 Hours (for initial licensure) 

All prescribers or dispensers applying for licensure must complete at least 4 hours of Board-approved education consisting of 2 hours in pain management or the identification of addiction and 2 hours in the practices of prescribing or dispensing of opioids. The 4 hours of Board-approved education needs to be completed only once.

30 Hours (when renewing license)

An applicant for biennial license renewal or reactivation of an Optometrist-Diagnostics license is required to complete, during the 2 years preceding renewal or reactivation, a minimum of 30 hours of acceptable continuing education, which includes 2 hours per biennium in child abuse recognition and reporting. 

Initial Licensing Fee: 

$25.00

Licensure Renewal Fee: 

$135.00

Biennial renewal of license.

Licensure By Reciprocity & Licensure By Act 41:

The board may, upon written application and payment of the regular examination fee, issue a license without an examination to any applicant who: (1) is at least 21 years of age; and (2)  has passed a standard examination in optometry in any other state or all parts of the examination given by the National Board of Examiners in Optometry, provided that the standards of the other state or the National Board are equal to or exceed the standards of this Commonwealth; or (3) is licensed in another state and has practiced in that state for a minimum of four years immediately preceding application.

Act 41 requires licensing boards and commissions to issue a license, certificate, registration or permit to an applicant who holds a current license, certificate, registration or permit from another state, territory or country whose licensing requirements are substantially equivalent to or exceed the requirements in this Commonwealth and who meet other criteria set forth under Act 41.