How to Become an Optometrist (OD Path)
Optometry is a healthcare doctorate combining strong income with predictable lifestyle. ODs (Doctors of Optometry) provide primary eye care including comprehensive eye exams, prescribing corrective lenses, diagnosing eye diseases, treating common ocular conditions, and (in most states) prescribing oral and topical medications for eye conditions. According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, the median annual wage is around $130,000, with private practice owners and senior ODs in specialty practices earning $180,000-$280,000+.
This guide walks through the practical path to becoming an OD. For salary context across settings, see our Optometrist Salary overview.
Step 1: Earn a Bachelor's Degree (4 Years)
The standard path to OD school requires bachelor's degree with prerequisite coursework. Most optometry schools require biology, chemistry, organic chemistry, biochemistry, physics, calculus, statistics, and English. Strong candidates have 3.5+ science GPA. Common majors include biology, biochemistry, vision science, or related life sciences. Some students complete 3-year accelerated bachelor's plus OD program (combined 7-year programs available at some institutions).
Beyond academics, build optometry shadowing experience (most schools expect 100+ shadowing hours), volunteer work, and (helpful but not required) research experience.
Step 2: Take the OAT (Optometry Admission Test)
The OAT is the standardized admission test for optometry school, similar to MCAT for medical school. Computer-based, 4 hours, $510 fee. Tests survey of natural sciences, reading comprehension, physics, and quantitative reasoning. Most competitive applicants score 320+. Plan 3-4 months of focused preparation using OAT review books and practice tests.
Step 3: Complete OD Program (4 Years)
Apply through OptomCAS (Optometry Centralized Application Service) to ASCO-accredited Doctor of Optometry programs. There are 23 schools and colleges of optometry in the U.S. Programs typically take 4 years post-bachelor's. Curriculum includes:
- Years 1-2: Basic sciences, ocular anatomy and physiology, optics, refractive error, vision development
- Years 2-3: Clinical sciences, ocular disease, pharmacology, contact lenses, low vision
- Years 3-4: Clinical rotations across primary care, specialty contact lenses, ocular disease, pediatrics, low vision, vision therapy
Tuition runs $40,000-$70,000 per year for 4 years. Total OD program cost typically $200,000-$280,000 plus living expenses. Most graduates leave with $200,000-$300,000 in OD-specific debt.
Step 4: Pass the NBEO Examinations
The National Board of Examiners in Optometry (NBEO) administers three examination parts:
- Part I (Applied Basic Science): Covers basic sciences relevant to optometry. Computer-based, $700.
- Part II (Patient Assessment and Management): Covers clinical assessment and treatment. Computer-based, $1,000.
- Part III (Clinical Skills Examination): Hands-on clinical assessment. $2,000.
Total NBEO cost ~$3,700 plus prep materials. Pass rates run 75-90% for first-time U.S. OD program graduates. Most students take Part I in 3rd year, Part II in 4th year, and Part III near graduation.
Step 5: Apply for State OD License
State licensure as OD requires NBEO passage plus state application plus state-specific jurisprudence exam in many states. Application fees $200-$500. Some states have additional requirements — California has more demanding state-specific examinations including TPA (Therapeutic Pharmaceutical Agent) certification.
Step 6: Optional Residency (1 Year)
About 25% of OD graduates pursue 1-year residency for advanced clinical training. Residency provides depth in specialty areas like ocular disease, pediatric/binocular vision, low vision, primary care, contact lenses, vision therapy, or geriatric optometry. Residency-trained ODs earn 5-15% pay premium plus stronger positioning for specialty practice and academic careers.
Residency pay is modest ($45,000-$60,000) but the credential supports advancement to specialty practice with substantial pay premium.
Step 7: Land Your First Position
New ODs typically work at one of several settings. Pay tiers:
- Private practice associate: $90,000-$130,000 (often pre-partnership track)
- Corporate optometry (LensCrafters, Walmart Vision, Costco, Pearle Vision): $100,000-$140,000
- Hospital and clinic positions: $110,000-$145,000
- VA medical center: $115,000-$155,000 plus federal benefits
- Specialty practice (ocular disease, low vision): $115,000-$155,000+
- Newly residency-trained OD: $115,000-$160,000
Total Path Timeline
- Bachelor's: 4 years
- OD program: 4 years
- Residency (optional): 1 year
- Total: 8-9 years from college freshman to working OD
Realistic Income Trajectory
Year 1: $90,000-$140,000 depending on setting. Year 5: $115,000-$165,000. Senior associate or partner: $145,000-$210,000. Practice owner with 10+ years: $180,000-$280,000+. Top earners (multi-location practice owners, specialty practice owners) reach $250,000-$400,000+.
OD Program Application Detail
OD program application competitive: ~30% acceptance rate at typical schools. Application requirements: bachelor's degree (or 90+ semester hours), prerequisite courses (biology, chemistry, organic chemistry, physics, math, English), OAT (Optometry Admission Test), 3.5+ GPA strong, OD shadowing hours (40-100+ documented hours).
Top OD programs: Pennsylvania College of Optometry, SUNY State College of Optometry, UC Berkeley, Indiana University, Ohio State, Houston, Pacific, Salus. Total 23 ACOE-accredited OD programs in US plus Inter American University in Puerto Rico.
NBEO Exam Detail
National Board of Examiners in Optometry (NBEO) administers required exams: NBEO Part 1 (Applied Basic Science), NBEO Part 2 (Patient Assessment and Management), NBEO Part 3 (Clinical Skills Examination). All three parts required for licensure.
Pass rates: Part 1 ~88%, Part 2 ~90%, Part 3 ~94%. Computer-based plus practical clinical examination at NBEO testing center. Total exam fees ~$1,800. State-specific jurisprudence exams typically follow NBEO.
Frequently Asked Questions
OD vs MD ophthalmologist? OD: 8-year path, $130,000 median, primary eye care plus most therapeutic procedures. MD ophthalmologist: 12-13 year path, $300,000+ median, surgical scope plus all therapeutic procedures.
Best path for high OD earnings? Private practice ownership or specialty practice (residency-trained). Top private practice owners reach $300,000-$500,000+.
Is OD growing career? Yes — BLS projects 9% growth through 2032. Aging population drives sustained demand.
How much OD school costs? $120,000-$240,000+ tuition over 4 years plus living expenses. Most graduates $200,000-$300,000+ in student debt.
OD residency required? No — most ODs enter practice directly. Residency optional 1-2 year specialty training (cornea, vision therapy, low vision, pediatric, ocular disease).
OD program prerequisite GPA? 3.5+ GPA strong for top programs. Most accepted students 3.4+ GPA with strong OAT scores. Below 3.0 GPA difficult acceptance.
What's OAT? Optometry Admission Test — entrance exam for OD programs. Multiple-choice computer-based, 4 hours, covers natural sciences, reading comprehension, physics, quantitative reasoning. Average score 320-330 for accepted students.
For OD vs MD ophthalmologist comparison, see our OD vs Ophthalmologist guide. For salary by setting, see Optometrist Salary by Setting. For private practice path, see Opening Private Optometry Practice.