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Virginia Administrative Code
Title 18. Professional And Occupational Licensing
Agency 105. Board of Optometry
Chapter 20. Regulations Governing the Practice of Optometry
7/6/2026

18VAC105-20-10. Requirements for initial licensure.

A. The applicant, in order to be eligible for initial licensure to practice optometry in the Commonwealth, shall meet the requirements for TPA certification in 18VAC105-20-16 and shall:

1. Be a graduate of a school of optometry accredited by the Accreditation Council on Optometric Education or other accrediting body deemed by the board to be substantially equivalent and have an official transcript verifying graduation sent to the board;

2. Request submission of an official report from the NBEO of a score received on each required part of the NBEO examination or other board-approved examination;

3. Submit a completed application and the prescribed fee;

4. Submit a current report from the National Practitioner Data Bank; and

5. Sign a statement attesting that the applicant has read, understands, and will comply with the statutes and regulations governing the practice of optometry in Virginia.

B. On or after January 1, 2033, all applicants to practice optometry in the Commonwealth shall meet the requirements for laser surgery in 18VAC105-20-80.

C. Required examinations. For the purpose of § 54.1-3211 of the Code of Virginia, the board adopts all parts of the NBEO examination as its written examination for licensure. After July 1, 1997, the board shall require passage as determined by the board of Parts I, II, and III of the NBEO examination, including passage of TMOD.

Statutory Authority

§§ 54.1-2400 and 54.1-3223 of the Code of Virginia.

Historical Notes

Derived from VR510-01-1 § 1, eff. October 30, 1985; amended, Virginia Register Volume 4, Issue 3, eff. December 9, 1987; Volume 4, Issue 19, eff. July 20, 1988; Volume 5, Issue 10, eff. March 13, 1989; Volume 8, Issue 4, eff. January 1, 1992; Errata, 8:9 VA.R. 1467 January 27, 1992; amended, Virginia Register Volume 11, Issue 20, eff. July 26, 1995; Volume 15, Issue 6, eff. January 6, 1999; Volume 19, Issue 7, eff. January 15, 2003; Volume 22, Issue 4, eff. November 30, 2005; Volume 22, Issue 20, eff. July 12, 2006; Volume 23, Issue 22, eff. September 24, 2007; Volume 31, Issue 7, eff. January 15, 2015; Volume 36, Issue 6, eff. December 11, 2019; Volume 41, Issue 14, eff. May 1, 2025; Volume 42, Issue 20, eff. June 17, 2026.

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