Application Information

West Virginia optometry license applicants

***Legislation passed during the 2025 West Virginia Legislative Session requires that all new applicants be laser certified. The Board is reviewing the new requirements and regulations and will provide more information as soon as possible. All applicants must contact the Board office before beginning an application.***

For applicants who are not Laser Certified, more information will be provided as soon as possible.

For applicants who are not Injection Certified, please refer to our Injection Certification page for information about acceptable pathways to obtain it. You must be Injection Certified before you can begin a West Virginia Optometry license application.

Requirements for all applicants

Items you will need to request be sent directly to the WVBO either electronically or by mail:

  • Certified Transcripts from all undergraduate, graduate and Optometry school institutions
  • National Board of Examiners in Optometry (NBEO) Scores, including the ISE section

A Background Check is required. More information is provided in the online application, but please note there are separate instructions for in-state and out-of-state applicants.

All applicants must take and pass the Optometry specific West Virginia Online State Law Examination (OSLE). More information is provided in the online application, but please note it is an untimed, open book exam and all applicable material is available under Resources on our Optometry Laws and Rules page.

Costs associated with Initial Optometry License Application in West Virginia: 

  • Initial Application Fee: $300.00. Payment can be made online within the online application system, by check or money order made out to the West Virginia Board of Optometry and mailed to the office address.
  • Background Check Fee:
    • Performed within state boundary of West Virginia: $47.25 paid to Background Check service.
    • Performed outside state boundary of West Virginia: $47.25 + $39.95 for Out of State Processing Fee paid to Background Check service.
  • Transcripts & NBEO score requests paid to institutions.
  • License Verification requests to all jurisdictions in which you have ever had/applied for an Optometry license.
  • West Virginia Online State Law Exam: $35.00 paid to online testing platform provider (NBEO).
  • Once approved: $400.00 Initial License Fee and $100.00 Official Certificate Fee paid to the WVBO.

Once all parts of the application are submitted, the Board will notify the applicant regarding the next available interview date. Please note that traditionally, interview dates for license applicants occur in February, May, July and October. Additional dates may be available. Interviews may be conducted in person or on a zoom conference call during a Board meeting.

Please contact the Board for more information about possible upcoming dates.

REciprocity applicants

An Optometrist who is licensed in another state and has practiced five out of the last seven years may be eligible to apply for a License by Reciprocity. Please refer to our Optometry Laws and Rules page for a link to W. Va. State Rule §14-8 regarding Reciprocity and W. Va. State Rule §14-11 regarding Injection Certification. As of July 2025, all Reciprocity License applicants must be Injection certified and Laser certified to apply. Please contact the Board for additional information.

Universal License

EFFECTIVE JULY 1, 2025 Pursuant to passage of Senate Bill 458 known as the Universal Professional and Occupational Licensing Act of 2025. 

§30-1-27, a person shall be granted an occupational or professional license, registration, or certificate if the person has been licensed or certified in another state, the license, registration, or certificate is in the same discipline and at the same practice level as the license, registration, or certificate for which the person is applying in this state and the person meets other conditions prescribed by W. Va. Code §30-1-27.

Requirements for Universal Licensing:

  • Establish residence in West Virginia 

    OR

  • Married to an active-duty member of the armed forces of the United States and has accompanied the member to an official permanent change of station to a military installation located in West Virginia.

universal license Criteria

  • Must be currently licensed to practice Optometry in at least one other state at the same practice level (laser certification).
  • All issued licenses must be in good standing in all states where applicant has a license.
  • Licensed by a state where there were minimum education requirements.
  • Applicant passed all NBEO exams required by the issuing state.
  • Applicant has not had a license revoked or voluntarily surrendered a license in any other state or country while under investigation for unprofessional conduct.
  • Applicant has not had any other form of discipline imposed by any other regulating entity. If past discipline exists, the Board in this state can evaluate the circumstances and issue a license if it determines the course of action in the other state was corrected and the matter is fully resolved. If the matter is not resolved, the Board may not issue or deny a license until the matter is resolved.
  • Applicant pays all applicable fees.
  • Applicant does not have a disqualifying criminal history as determined by the Board. A criminal background check is required.
  • Applicant must pass the Optometry specific West Virginia Online State Law Exam (OSLE) with a minimum score of 75%.

Required Documents for Universal License Proof of Residency

  • West Virginia Driver's License

    OR

  • Two proofs of West Virginia Residency with applicant's name and physical address.

Please contact the Board office for the link to our online application to apply for licensure under the Universal Licensing Act of 2025.