Who May Apply: US Citizens
In order to qualify, you must meet the education and/or experience requirements described below. Experience refers to paid and unpaid experience, including volunteer work done through National Service programs (e.g., Peace Corps, AmeriCorps) and other organizations (e.g., professional; philanthropic; religious; spiritual; community; student; social). You will receive credit for all qualifying experience, including volunteer experience. Your resume must clearly describe your relevant experience; if qualifying based on education, your transcripts will be required as part of your application. Additional information about transcripts is
in this document.
Basic Requirement for Optometrist (Clinical):
Education: Applicants must have a Doctor of Optometry degree from an educational program that is accredited by the Accreditation Council on Optometric Education (ACOE) at the time the degree was obtained.
Licensure: Applicants must have received a passing score on the National Board of Examiners in Optometry (NBEO) examinations and possess a current, full, and unrestricted license to practice optometry in a State, the District of Columbia, the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico, or a territory of the United States.
In addition to meeting the basic requirements above, applicants must also meet one of the following qualification requirements listed below:
Experience: One year of specialized experience as an optometrist which includes: examining, treating patients with visual disorders or diseases; advising patients and families of medical conditions and required treatments; and conducting optometric procedures. This definition of specialized experience is typical of work performed at the next lower grade/level position in the federal service (GS-11).
OR
Residency: One year completion of a residency program in an institution accredited for such training.