Optometry license requirements are set out in Business and Professions Code (BPC) §§ 3056 and 3057. Applicants must:

• Earn a passing score on the California Law and Regulations Exam.
• Graduate from an accredited school of optometry.
• Earn passing scores on the following National Board of Examiners in Optometry exams:
  • Part I – Applied Basic Science
  • Part II – Patient Assessment & Management
  • Part III – Clinical Skills; effective August 2024 becomes Patient Encounters and Performance Skills
  • Treatment and Management of Ocular Disease or TMOD
• Successfully pass a state and federal criminal fingerprint background check

STEPS:

1. Please visit the BreEZe website and click on the "New Users BreEZe Registration" link. Once that process is complete, apply for the "Optometrist - Initial Exam Request Application Part 1". This will allow you to receive authorization to take the California Laws and Regulations Exam (CLRE).
2. Review the Laws and Regulations that govern the practice of optometry in California.
3. Review the Exam Candidate Information Bulletin.
4. Upon passing the California Laws and Regulations Exam, you must complete the remainder of your online application on BreEZe.

The California State Board of Optometry utilizes the National Board of Examiners in Optometry exams to assess competency. More information about the following exams can be found by visiting the following links:

• Part 1 – Applied Basic Science
• Part 2 – Patient Assessment & Management
• Part 3 – Clinical Skills Examination — effective August 2024 Part 3 become Patient Encounters and Performance Skills
• Treatment and Management of Ocular Disease (TMOD)