How do OD's get licensed?
For licensing, the optometrist must pass a national board exam and a state licensing exam which typically includes both written and clinical performance. The National Board Exam is written by ODs, MDs and PhDs and is administered by the National Board of Examiners. The state exam, which includes both written and clinical sections, is administered by the Massachusetts Board of Registration in Optometry.

The licensing requirement is a principal means of assuring the public’s safety when individuals are to hold themselves forth as professionals in health care, as in many other fields. The purpose of the licensure is trifold: to assure competence on entry into the field; to maintain competence through continuing education; and, to discipline through board action up to and including revocation of licensure.

How do OD's stay current in their field?
To assure that doctors of optometry maintain their proficiency and remain current with new developments in their field, State Boards of Registration have the authority to require that doctors take continuing education courses. At the present time, Massachusetts doctors are required to have 18 hours of continuing education annually for re-licensure. The boards have the further authority to impose requirements for specific types of training. In Massachusetts, not more than six of the 18 hours may be in practice management. It is to be expected that as the scope of practice of optometry expands the educational requirements will also expand.