Application Qualifications
To be eligible and qualify for a Texas Therapeutic Optometric License (See Section 351.254 of the Texas Optometry Act and Board Rule 271.2) an applicant must:
- have graduated from an approved, accredited college of optometry (or be in the last semester);
- taken and passed, or plan to take and pass, Parts I, II, and III of the NBEO (Part III on or after June, 1994);
- taken and passed, or plan to take and pass, the TMOD administered by the NBEO on or after January 1985;
- be of good moral character; and
- be of majority age
Application Requirements
An application is complete when the Optometry Board has received:
- completed application and fee ($205/$305 depending on application)
- official transcript(s) received directly from optometry school showing awarding of O.D. degree
- transcripts from all colleges attended (copy acceptable)
- proof of residency (copy of US birth certificate, Real ID drivers license, Permanent Resident Card, Employment Authorization card)
- passing scores on NBEO Parts I, II, III and the TMOD (provide OE Tracking number on application and allow Board access on NBEO site)
- passing score on the Texas Jurisprudence Exam (taken via NBEO site)
- criminal background check (See Fingerprint Information)
- self query ordered from the National Practitioner’s Databank (NPDB)
- proof of successful completion of a CPR or BLS certification that is not-expired
- proof of successful completion of two-hour course related to prescribing and monitoring controlled substances as required by Section 481.07635 of the Health and Safety Code
Optional Requirements:
- if licensed in another state, license verifications from states in which licensed
- additional explanatory documents, if required by the application instructions
- Copy of document changing name (if applicable)
Updated License Process
Texas law provides that a therapeutic optometrist can be certified as an Optometric Glaucoma Specialist through specialized training and certification of skills. The Board has determined that all graduates from accredited colleges of optometry after 2008 are qualified for the certification.
In order to ensure that patients are seen and treated in the same manner, the Board adopted changes to its rules which require all qualified new applicants to apply for the certification when applying for a therapeutic optometric license. The process allows for those applicants not qualified for the Optometric Glaucoma certification (pre 2008 graduation date) to continue to be licensed as a therapeutic optometrist without the certification.
By moving to a single and common level of licensure, the Board has created additional transparency to the public (and pharmacists filling optometric prescriptions) about the optometrist’s scope of practice. This update is effective with applications received after January 1, 2025.
Ways to Apply
All applicants will use the same online/paper application to apply. In the online application, applicants that have passed all required parts of the NBEO will choose “Acceptance Application” and applicants who have not passed NBEO Part III will choose “LWOE Acceptance Application.”
Application for Licensure (online/paper)
Military/Veteran Applicants Review Instructions Here First
License without Examination Applicants Review Instructions Here First