West Virginia optometry license applicants
For Injection Certified applicants, please click here to begin your online application.
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.
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 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. Reciprocity License applicants must be Injection Certified to apply. Please contact the Board for additional information.