LicenseCompass

Optometrist License in New Hampshire

Quick Answer

To become a licensed optometrist in New Hampshire, you need 2+ years of college, a 4-year O.D. degree, NBEO Parts I-III, state exams, CPR certification, and two professional references. TPA-certified optometrists need 50 CE hours annually. Glaucoma authorization requires 40 extra hours of education.

Education Required
50 hours
Exam
NBEO Parts I-III & State Exams
Timeline
3-6 months after O.D. graduation
Background Check
Required
Renewal
Every Annual

Requirements

Optometrist license in New Hampshire

gold
Education
Degree required
Exam
Third-party exam required
Background Check
No criminal record prohibitions
Continuing Education
Continuing education required to maintain license
Veterans Benefits
N/A - Not displayed

Licensing Agency

Office of Professional Licensure and Certification

Optometrist Salary in New Hampshire

Entry Level

$69,000

Median

$130,310

Experienced

$236,210

Source: Bureau of Labor Statistics. Salary data is for informational purposes only.

How to Get Licensed

Step-by-step roadmap to becoming a licensed Optometrist in New Hampshire.

  1. 1

    Complete Education Requirements

    Degree required

  2. 2

    Submit Background Check

    No criminal record prohibitions

  3. 3

    Pass the Required Exam

    Third-party exam required — NBEO Parts I-III & State Exams

  4. 4

    Submit Your Application

    File your application with the licensing agency.

  5. 5

    Receive Your License

    Processing typically takes 3-6 months after O.D. graduation.

Optometrist Licensing in New Hampshire: What to Know

New Hampshire provides detailed education and CE requirements. Applicants must be 18+, of good moral character, complete at least 2 years of arts and sciences college, graduate from an accredited 4-year optometry program, pass NBEO Parts I-III and state exams, hold CPR certification, and provide two letters of reference from practicing optometrists. For glaucoma treatment authorization, 40 additional hours of classroom education approved by the Board are required plus an additional exam. TPA-certified optometrists must complete 50 CE credit hours annually, including at least 20 in Class I, with glaucoma-authorized practitioners needing 10 of those hours in glaucoma-specific education (7+ in Class I).

Frequently Asked Questions

How long does it take to get a Optometrist license in New Hampshire?
The process typically takes 3-6 months after O.D. graduation, depending on education completion and exam scheduling.
What exam do I need for a Optometrist license in New Hampshire?
You need to pass the NBEO Parts I-III & State Exams. Third-party exam required

Considering another state?

Compare Optometrist requirements across states.

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Data from CareerOneStop (DOLETA/DEED). Last updated: February 15, 2026.