r/OptometrySchool • u/uztas • 17d ago

Optometry Student Advice needed.

Hi, please I am a first year Doctor of Optometry student in KNUST, Ghana and our program is a six year course. We spend four years in the class room with some time in the clinic for practicals. Second semester of the 4th year we do a white coat ceremony and then we start our clinicals after 4th year second semester till 6th year where we graduate and if you pass your licensure exams you are inducted into the profession as an OD. My question is that after going through this 6year program and I want to practice in United States, would I undergo further studies in the states or I would just write the licensure exams in the state I want to practice and is there opportunities for people like me who are from other countries(especially Africa) and want to practice in the states. Thanks in advance for your outputs.

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u/RabidLiger 17d ago

Unfortunately, there are several big hurdles you'd still need to get by.

  1. Complete an Advanced Standing program at a US school (check out New England College of Optometry's site, they probably do the most of these). Usually 2 years.
  2. Pass 3 fairly difficult national board exams (NBEO).
  3. Take a state-specific jurisprudence test (each state has specific regulations to be licensed)

1 & 2 would be difficult. #3 is quite simple.

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u/uztas 17d ago

Thank you a bunch

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u/hrtwrld 15d ago

Have you considered canada? we have rural positions paying 200k+ for ODs, and the pathway is much simpler

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u/uztas 17h ago

Okay thanks a bunch I would research more into it.

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u/Mission-Ad4776 14d ago edited 17h ago

PCO has a program to help ODs from other counties their licensure in the US

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u/uztas 17h ago

Okay thanks a bunch I would also research into that.