How to Become an Optometrist: A Complete Guide to Optometrist Training

Looking for a career with an excellent outlook and exciting job opportunities? If you’re wondering how to become an optometrist, you’ve come to the right place. Our comprehensive guide to optometrist training covers everything you need to know about the requirements, degree options, science coursework, optometry school education, and specialized optometry training needed to succeed in this rewarding eye care field.

Understanding Optometrist Training and Education Requirements

Optometrists may not need to go through medical school as surgeons and primary care doctors do, but the road to becoming an optometrist is a rigorous one nonetheless. A proper optometrist education begins with a science bachelor’s degree, followed by four years at an accredited optometry school, and then earning a state license to practice. Many optometrists also choose to become board-certified.

It’s important to note that optometry and ophthalmology are not the same field. Optometrists examine, diagnose, and treat conditions related to the eye and vision, while ophthalmologists provide medical and surgical ocular care. Optometrists aren’t medical doctors, while ophthalmologists are. If you want to perform eye surgery, you’ll need to complete a medical school education to become an ophthalmologist.

Key Steps: How to Become an Optometrist

When considering how to become an optometrist, your path begins with undergraduate college training and ends with the completion of an optometry degree from an accredited optometry school.

Pursue a Relevant Undergraduate Degree

To kick things off, you’ll need to earn an undergrad degree from a four-year university. You do not need to major in science or general health, but doing so can give you a leg up when you start your optometric education. If you major in something other than science, you must still take the requisite number of science courses to meet your preferred optometry school admission requirements.

Take the Optometry Admission Test (OAT Exam)

The OAT is a multiple-choice exam that tests the skills required to be an optometrist, such as physics, biology, quantitative reasoning, and reading comprehension. OAT scores range from 200 to 400. There is no passing score, as optometry schools make their admission decisions independently. For the best chance of getting into your preferred school, aim for a score over the 50th percentile, or 300+.

The OAT exam is challenging, so take a few practice tests before you try the real thing. When you’re ready to give the test a shot, register here.

Complete a Doctor of Optometry (DO) Program

With an undergrad science degree and the OAT exam under your belt, you’re ready to find the right optometry school. There are 24 optometry schools in the U.S. to choose from. You can apply to schools individually or go through OptomCAS, which is a centralized application service for all optometry schools and colleges.

The optometry school curriculum is a holistic mix of lectures, clinical training, and labs. You’ll learn about common vision problems, ocular anatomy, systemic diseases, and eye care.

If you’re having trouble paying for your optometry education, consider applying for financial aid. Be sure to apply for aid a few months before applying to schools to get the ball rolling in the right direction.

Preparing for Licensing and Certification

Upon completing optometry school, you’ll need to take the National Board of Examiners in Optometry (NBEO) test. Completion of this test is necessary to gain a license to practice optometry in your state.

The national board exam has three parts. Part I: Applied Basic Science is a multiple-choice test of basic science skills. Part II: Patient Assessment and Management tests your ability to recognize eye diseases and conditions and choose the correct drug for each. Part II also includes a Treatment and Management of Ocular Disease (TMOD) section. Part III is the Clinical Skills Exam. It tests your communication skills, clinical experience, and ability to use optometry equipment.

Upon successful completion of the NBEO board exam, you can apply for your state license to practice or shoot for board certification.

Specializations and Advanced Training Opportunities

The American Optometric Association doesn’t require residency training, but many ophthalmologists and optometrists choose to undertake training anyway. Residency exposes you to different facets of optometry, which can be helpful if you’re still trying to decide on a specialty.

Optometry residents gain a broad-spectrum education on ocular health and vision care. There are several types of optometry residencies to choose from across top schools and medical centers:

• Vision rehabilitation
• Contact lenses and other corrective lenses
• Ocular disease
• Pediatric patient care
• Primary care optometry

You can also focus on many specialty areas, including refractive errors, low-vision rehab, public health, systemic disease, vision therapy, and brain injury rehabilitation.

Choosing an eye care specialty is a smart move. In addition to the expertise you’ll gain in ocular health, you can command a higher salary.

The Role of Continuing Education in Optometry

Once you’ve earned your optometrist license, you’ll need to maintain it by completing a certain number of continuing education (CE) credits every year. Continuing education keeps licensed optometrists up to date on advancements in eye care technology and ocular health treatments. The exact number of continuing education credits needed varies by state.

There are a few ways to gain the continuing education credits you’ll need to maintain your license. You can opt for an online program, attend CE classes in person, or attend continuing education in optometry conferences and seminars.

Tips for Succeeding in Optometrist Training

Optometry schools and training programs are challenging, but well worth the effort for optometry students who dream of opening a private practice or joining an eye care clinic. Here’s how to succeed in your optometry education:

• Develop a strong study routine and stick with it.
• Seek a mentor while in college. Your mentor can keep you motivated and help you if you’re struggling with coursework.
• Take advantage of internships while in school. Internships allow you to gain practical experience, and those who undergo internships tend to have an easier time finding work after graduation than those who don’t.

Weave: Here for You Through Optometrist Training and Beyond

If you have a passion for combating eye disease and are seeking a lucrative, personally rewarding career, optometrist training may be the right pick for you. By following the above tips, you’ll be well prepared to make it through your training with flying colors.

When you’re ready to open your practice, Weave is here for you. Our software comes with everything your practice needs, including appointment reminders, digital forms, and online scheduling.

Looking to streamline your practice? Get a demo of Weave today.