OPTOMETRIST License in Wisconsin
Quick Answer
To become a licensed optometrist in Wisconsin, you need specific coursework, NBEO passage, and continuing education. Wisconsin allows therapeutic prescribing and foreign body removal. Contact the WI Department of Safety and Professional Services in Madison for current fees.
- Exam
- NBEO Parts I-III
- Timeline
- 3-6 months after O.D. graduation
- Background Check
- Required
- Renewal
- Every Biennial
Requirements
OPTOMETRIST license in Wisconsin
OPTOMETRIST Salary in Wisconsin
Entry Level
$69,490
Median
$137,650
Experienced
$212,440
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 Wisconsin.
- 1
Complete Education Requirements
Specific course required
- 2
Submit Background Check
No criminal record prohibitions
- 3
Pass the Required Exam
Third-party exam required — NBEO Parts I-III
- 4
Submit Your Application
File your application with the licensing agency.
- 5
Receive Your License
Processing typically takes 3-6 months after O.D. graduation.
OPTOMETRIST Licensing in Wisconsin: What to Know
Wisconsin defines optometry broadly to include the use of topical ocular diagnostic pharmaceutical agents, diagnosis and treatment of refractive and functional abilities, prescribing ophthalmic and contact lenses, administering visual training, orthoptics, and visual therapy, prescribing or administering drugs for ocular therapeutic purposes, and removing superficial foreign bodies. Specific coursework, a third-party exam (NBEO), and continuing education are required with no experience requirement or criminal record prohibitions. The WI Department of Safety and Professional Services oversees licensing.
Frequently Asked Questions
- How long does it take to get a OPTOMETRIST license in Wisconsin?
- 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 Wisconsin?
- You need to pass the NBEO Parts I-III. Third-party exam required
Considering another state?
Compare OPTOMETRIST requirements across states.
View all states →Data from CareerOneStop (DOLETA/DEED). Last updated: February 15, 2026.