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Official website

of the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania

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    Local, state, and federal government websites often end in .gov. Commonwealth of Pennsylvania government websites and email systems use "pennsylvania.gov" or "pa.gov" at the end of the address. Before sharing sensitive or personal information, make sure you're on an official state website. 

    State Board of Optometry

    The State Board of Optometry is responsible for regulating the practice and licensure of optometry in Pennsylvania.

    Apply for or Renew Your License

    The State Board of Optometry is responsible for regulating the practice and licensure of optometry in the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania. The Board grants licensure to qualified optometrists and certifies eligible licensees in the use of certain therapeutic drugs and the ability to diagnose and treat glaucoma.  Under this authority, it is the role of the Board to determine on a case-by-case basis whether a professional under its jurisdiction engaged in immoral or unprofessional conduct by departing from, or failing to conform to, an ethical or quality standard of the profession.  All Pennsylvania licensees are reminded to review the requirements of professional licensure as set forth in the Practice Act and Board Regulations to aid in their exercise of good faith optometric medical judgment to provide patient care that is consistent with the standards of acceptable and prevailing practice.

    Board Laws and Regulations

    Regulations

    Law - Act 57 of 1980

    Fees

    Schedule of Civil Penalties

    Federal "Fairness to Contact Lens Consumers Act" - 2004 (PDF)

    Occupational Therapy Act 30 of 2004 (PDF)

    Act 225 of 2002 (Glaucoma) (PDF)

    Statement of Policy - "Individual Study" (PDF)

    Examination Information

    National Board Scores - Parts 1, 2A & 2B or BS (1) and CS (2) and Clinical Skills/VRICS examination, or PC (3) and the TMOD for therapeutic licenses.

    Contact National Board of Examiners in Optometry, 200 S. College Street, Suite 2010, Charlotte, NC 28202, (704) 332-9565, e-mail address is NBEO@optometry.org.

    Contact us

    Call us

    1-833-DOS-BPOA - Available Monday - Friday from 9:00 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. Language interpreters available.

    Call us

    Email us

    ST-OPTOMETRY@PA.GOV - Note: This mailbox is reserved for receipt of documentation specific to letters of good standing, exam information, disciplinary documents, transcripts and other education or employment verifications, and any other outside agency or related communications.

    Email us

    Mailing address

    State Board of Optometry P.O. Box 2649 Harrisburg, PA 17105-2649

    Mailing address

    Physical address

    2525 N 7th Street Harrisburg, PA 17110

    Physical address

    Get support

    To contact the Board with general or application questions or assistance related to your license, application and/or for any technical support pertaining to the PA Licensing System known as PALS, please reference the link below.

    Create a Ticket

    Courier address

    PA Dept of State, Bureau of Professional and Occupational Affairs Attn: State Board of Optometry 2 Technology Park Harrisburg, PA 17110-2919

    Courier address

    Please note that neither the Board/Commission, nor its staff or counsel, are permitted to provide legal advice or advisory opinions, including interpretations of the law or regulations, or any indication as to how the Board would vote on any given case or scenario.  You are invited to contact a private attorney or professional organization for advice or guidance.