Is becoming an optometrist right for me?
The first step to choosing a career is to make sure you are actually willing to commit to pursuing the career. You don’t want to waste your time doing something you don’t want to do. If you’re new here, you should read about:
Still unsure if becoming an optometrist is the right career path? Take the free CareerExplorer career test to find out if this career is right for you. Perhaps you are well-suited to become an optometrist or another similar career!
Described by our users as being “shockingly accurate”, you might discover careers you haven’t thought of before.
How to become an Optometrist
The professional requirements of optometry certification vary from country to country. The education process can require a four-year bachelor's degree followed by a four-year postgraduate course before a student gets to the examination.
The path to optometry in the United States is more time intensive than in many other countries. American students must complete a specific bachelor's degree program that includes a variety of health, science, and math credits. This bachelor's degree must be followed by a postgraduate optometry program at one of the over 20 certified schools. Finally, the newly-minted optometrist must pass a nationally administered examination before receiving his or her accreditation.
At the other end of the spectrum, an Argentinian student with a bachelor's degree must simply pass an examination before registering with the government. While this process still requires a four year college degree, the only postgraduate component is the national examination. Though there is a wide spectrum of requirements depending on the country, it is rare that a student may become a certified optometrist without a bachelor's degree, no matter the country in which he or she wishes to practice optometry.