Expert: Janet Carter - 3/11/2010

Question
Dear Dr. Janet Carter.
I am Dr. Mansour Boctor.
I am an ophthalmologist in practice for more than 5 years.
I have a medical degree and a diploma in ophthalmology and optics From Cairo university school of medicine.
I will come soon to USA as an immigrant.I would like to work as an optometrist. Can I apply to take the optometrical licensing examination in NY . State or any Other State. If not, how can I do the requirement to take the test. Could you please give me an advice in the Job I could do as A new comer to USA.
Thank you much .
Sincerely yours
Mboctor

Answer
To take the licensing examination in New York requires graduation from a US or Canadian accredited School of Optometry.  There are some schools (specifically the New England College of Optometry - google it) that have accelerated programs that allow foreign graduates such as yourself to get that US degree in a year or two (as opposed to the usual four years).  That would be the best chance you have of getting licensed in the US in optometry.

To my knowledge, only one state in the country (California) allows you to take the National licensing examination for optometry (NBEO) without graduation from an accredited US (or Canadian) school.  Even in California to do so you have to be sponsored by the Board.  Google California State Board of Optometry for more information.  For more information on the examination, go to the NBEO's website, www.optometry.org.

You might also keep in mind that an optometry license is different than a medical license in the US.  There are some programs in the US that allow you to work as a physician here if you are a foreign graduate if you agree to practice in underserved areas. I have no idea what the specifics are; you might try googling "practicing medicine in the United States for foreign graduates" or "Foreign Medical Graduates" or something like that.

Good luck in your new life!