How to become an Optometrist — your road, class by class

An optometrist tests eyesight, prescribes and fits glasses and contact lenses, and screens for eye disease. Optometry is one of the professions regulated under the National Commission for Allied and Healthcare Professions (NCAHP) Act, 2021; NCAHP's 2025 competency-based curriculum sets the B.Optom course. [1]

A normal working day

• Test vision and prescribe spectacles or contact lenses.
• Check for glaucoma, cataract and other eye problems and refer to ophthalmologists.
• Run low-vision, binocular-vision and community eye-screening clinics.

Pay

No official pay scale for optometrists is published in the files we read, so no figure is printed.

Main routes

Time and cost

Course length

5 years (4 + 1 internship) · 10 semesters [1]

Pass mark

50% in university exam and 50% in internal + university exam together [1]

Fees vary by college and state, so none is printed.

Hidden challenges

• A third-party exit / licensure exam at the end of the internship decides your right to practise; a degree certificate alone is not enough. [1]
• Admission rules are tightening: B.Optom admission is to be based on NEET or an equivalent government exam, not just Class 12 marks. [1]
• The diploma-holder lateral entry is a transition rule — available for 5 years from the curriculum's approval. [1]

Who should not choose it

• You dislike close, patient-facing work for hours.
• You are weak in Physics — optics is a core subject.
• You want to perform eye surgery — that is the ophthalmologist's road (MBBS + MS).

1. You are here Class 8 · Class 9

   Science and optics

   • B.Optom needs 50% in Physics, Chemistry and Biology or Mathematics in Class 12 — build these now. [1]

   Doubt What does an optometrist do?

   Tests vision, prescribes and fits glasses and contact lenses, and screens for eye disease. Optometry is regulated under the NCAHP Act, 2021. [1]

   Next: Read the Routes list above.

   Doubt Is an optometrist an eye doctor?

   No. An optometrist holds a B.Optom (allied and healthcare professional). Eye surgeons are ophthalmologists who do MBBS and then MS Ophthalmology. [1] [2]

   Next: Pick the road that fits you.

2. You are here Class 10

   PCB or PCM — both work

   • Choose Physics and Chemistry with Biology or Mathematics, plus English. [1]

   Stream / subjects: Science: Physics, Chemistry and Biology or Mathematics, with English.

   Doubt Can a PCM student study optometry?

   Yes. NCAHP's curriculum accepts 50% in Physics, Chemistry and Biology or Mathematics. [1]

   Next: Either science group works — keep 50%.

   Doubt Can I study through NIOS?

   Yes, if your NIOS Senior Secondary has five subjects including English, Physics, Chemistry and Biology / Mathematics (or Botany and Zoology), with 50% in the science subjects. [1]

   Next: Check your subject combination.

3. You are here Class 11 · Class 12

   50% PCB / PCM and the entrance

   • Score at least 50% in Physics, Chemistry and Biology / Mathematics; admission is through NEET or an equivalent government entrance, then counselling. [1]
   • You must be 17 by 31 December of the admission year. [1]

   Exams that open here

   • NEET (UG) 2026 — 3 May 2026 (re-exam 21 June 2026) [3] [4]

   Money help at this stage

   Lower NEET (UG) fee

   Doubt Do I need NEET for optometry?

   NCAHP's curriculum says B.Optom admission is based on NEET or an equivalent exam conducted by the Government of India, followed by counselling. Check your state's and college's admission notice too. [1]

   Next: Register for NEET (UG).

   Doubt What is the minimum age?

   17 years as on 31 December of the year of admission. [1]

   Next: Check your date of birth.

   Doubt I studied abroad. Am I eligible?

   Yes, if the Association of Indian Universities treats your qualification as equivalent and you passed Physics, Chemistry, Biology / Mathematics and English with 50% in the science subjects. [1]

   Next: Get an AIU equivalence certificate.

4. You are here In college

   B.Optom: 4 years + internship

   • The course is 5 years — 8 semesters of study plus a 1-year internship. Pass with 50% in the university exam and 50% in internal + university marks together. [1]

   Doubt What do I study in the first semester?

   General Anatomy, General Physiology, General Biochemistry, Physical Optics, Mathematics & Geometrical Optics, an introduction to optometry, nutrition, communication and Clinical Optometry I. [1]

   Next: Brush up your Class 12 Physics optics.

   Doubt Is the internship paid?

   NCAHP's curriculum says an appropriate nominal stipend should be paid to interns; the amount is left to the institution. [1]

   Next: Ask the college about its intern stipend before admission.

   Doubt I have a Diploma in Optometry. Do I start from year 1?

   No — if your diploma's hours match the bachelor's first year, you can join the 2nd year (2-year diploma + 3 years). This upgrade route is open for 5 years from the curriculum's approval. [1]

   Next: Apply soon if you hold a diploma.

   Doubt What is the pass mark?

   50% in the university exam and 50% in internal assessment plus university exam combined. [1]

   Next: Do not ignore internal assessment.

5. You are here Graduated

   Exit exam and registration

   • A third-party exit / licensure exam after the internship decides your clinical practice eligibility in India. [1]

   Doubt Can I practise as soon as I get my degree?

   No. NCAHP's curriculum sets a third-party exit / licensure exam after the 5th-year internship; clinical practice depends on clearing it. [1]

   Next: Prepare for the exit exam during internship.

   Doubt Who keeps the register of optometrists?

   Under the NCAHP Act, 2021 the National Commission and State Councils maintain a Central Register and State Registers of allied and healthcare professionals, including optometrists. [1]

   Next: Register with your State Council after the exit exam.

   Doubt What do I need for a master's in optometry?

   A regular full-time, on-campus B.Optom with at least 60% from a recognised university. [1]

   Next: Keep 60% in your degree.

6. You are here Working / switching career

   Opticians and diploma holders

   • Diploma-holding optometrists can upgrade through 2nd-year lateral entry while the transition window is open. [1]

   Doubt I work in an optical shop with a diploma. Can I upgrade?

   Yes, through lateral entry into the 2nd year of B.Optom if your diploma meets the hours rule — within 5 years from the curriculum's approval. [1]

   Next: Ask NCAHP-following colleges about lateral seats.

NEET / equivalent → B.Optom → exit exam · National Commission for Allied and Healthcare Professions (curriculum) · NTA (NEET-UG)

Class 12

50% in PCB / PCM [1]

Age

17 by 31 Dec of admission year [1]

Course

5 years (4 + 1 internship) [1]

After internship

Exit / licensure exam [1]

Stage table source [1]

Open the full exam guide

• National route: NCAHP's curriculum and the NCAHP Act apply across India; states run counselling and their own allied health councils. [1]

National route applies. This career follows the same rules in every state and UT.

1. NCAHP — Curriculum of Optometry (competency based, approved 2025), as adopted by VNSGU, Surat for 2026-27 (15 Dec 2025) (opens in a new tab) B.Optom eligibility (50% PCB / PCM, NEET or equivalent + counselling, NIOS, abroad, age 17 by 31 Dec), 5 (4 + 1) years, pass marks, nominal intern stipend, diploma lateral entry (5-year window), master's 60%, exit / licensure exam · Last checked 28 Oct 2026
2. National Medical Commission — Post-Graduate Medical Education Regulations, 2023 (Gazette, 29 Dec 2023) (opens in a new tab) course durations (3-year MD / MS, 2-year diploma, 3-year super-speciality), District Residency Programme, stipend at par, leave rules, MS (OBG) and D.G.O. lists, M.Ch. feeder qualifications · Last checked 26 Oct 2026
3. NTA — NEET (UG) 2026 Information Bulletin (opens in a new tab) pattern, marking, age, subjects, additional-subject rule, qualifying percentiles, reservation, fees, 13 languages, MCC seats; chapter on BAMS / BSMS / BUMS / BHMS (eligibility, AACCC, AIQ reservation, percentiles); VCI 15% B.V.Sc quota · Last checked 14 Oct 2026
4. NTA — Public notice: re-examination for NEET (UG) 2026 (15 May 2026) (opens in a new tab) 21 June 2026 re-exam, no fee · Last checked 14 Oct 2026
5. SCERT Nagaland — NMMSS Examination 2027 advertisement (27 Jul 2026) (opens in a new tab) Class 8 eligibility, 55% / 50% Class 7 marks, ₹1,000 a month from Class 9 to 12 (one state's notice of the central scheme) · Last checked 24 Oct 2026
6. Ministry of Education — PM-USP Central Sector Scheme of Scholarships guidelines (2022-23 onwards), copy hosted by NIT Kurukshetra (opens in a new tab) 80th percentile, ₹4.5 lakh income, regular degree only, no other scholarship, ₹12,000 / ₹20,000 rates, renewal rules · Last checked 24 Oct 2026

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