Verified October 10, 2026 against the practice act, board rules and sources cited below. The board decides every application. All states
What optometrists miss in Pennsylvania
- Licensees certify their CE on the renewal application, and a false certification is grounds for discipline.
- Board staff cannot give legal advice or say how the board would vote on a case.
How does an optometrist licensed elsewhere get a Pennsylvania license?
The board may license without exam an applicant who passed all parts of NBEO, or who has practiced in another state for 4 years immediately before applying. The board's snapshots list no experience requirement for NBEO holders. Act 41 also covers substantially equivalent out-of-state licenses.
- On NBEO scores
- Board: Pennsylvania State Board of Optometry
Citation: Board licensure snapshots (reciprocity and Act 41)
Which NBEO exams does Pennsylvania require?
TMOD is required for therapeutic licenses.
- NBEO: I, II, III, TMOD
Does Pennsylvania require a law exam?
The board's licensure snapshots list no law exam.
- No law exam
What scope does a Pennsylvania license carry?
Therapeutic certification needs 100 hours of pharmaceutical training and a passed exam; glaucoma certification adds proof under 63 P.S. 244.4b, such as 18 hours of glaucoma CE.
- Tiers: P (diagnostic), T (therapeutic), G (therapeutic and glaucoma)
Citation: 49 Pa. Code 23.91; board snapshots
What does a Pennsylvania optometry license cost?
- Application: $25 license application, plus $25 each for therapeutic and glaucoma certification (as of Oct 2026)
- Renewal: $135 every 2 years (as of Oct 2026)
Citation: 49 Pa. Code 23.91
How often does a Pennsylvania license renew?
30 hours every 2 years, including 2 in child abuse recognition; therapeutic licensees take 6 in pharmaceuticals and glaucoma licensees 4 in glaucoma.
- Renews every two years
- 30 CE hours
Licensing in Pennsylvania?
We prepare every supporting document and a question-by-question guide, order your verifications and NBEO scores, and track the file to a decision; you answer, sign, pay the board and sit every exam. A license is $699 per state, or $799 where the state gives its own exam or interview.