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Optometry Licensing

PROCESSING CENTER Hours:
The Health Regulation and Licensing Administration (HRLA) Processing Center is open to the public Monday, Tuesday, Thursday and Friday, 9 am – 1 pm, and Wednesday, 9 am - 3:30 pm (except holidays).

Office Hours:
The HRLA Office Hours are Monday through Friday, 8:15 am - 4:45 pm (except holidays).


RENEWALS ARE NOW LIVE!

Licensees can access the renewal portal by going to:

https://doh.force.com/dchealthrenewals/s/portal-page and logging in with their user credentials from the last renewal. Licensees renewing for the first time must register/sign up first. For additional information about the renewal, please review the following renewal notification: 

Letter from the Board on Licensure Renewal 2024
 

***COVID-19 UPDATES***


Updated COVID-19 Mandates as of November 8, 2022

Please select link below to access Emergency Rulemaking documents.
Note updated COVID-19 Vaccine Mandate for Healthcare Workers:

dchealth.dc.gov/node/1556816


ALERT: PHONE SCAM

DC HEALTH has become aware of a PHISHING PHONE SCAM
in which individuals pose as DC Health representatives to request money.
Please be advised that DC Health representatives will never
contact you with a request for money.

FBI Warns Individuals Employed in the Health Care Industry
of the Ongoing Scam Involving the Impersonation of
Law Enforcement and Government Officials - FBI  fbi.gov



LICENSURE WAIVER
PERIOD HAS ENDED:

Please review Important Notices regarding
Temporary Licensure Requirements
HERE
 

Important Notice regarding Paper Applications (select link):
DC Health No Longer Accepting Paper Applications (Beginning June 14, 2021)

ONLINE LICENSING APPLICATIONS

DC Health’s online licensing application system is now LIVE(See link online.)

 

The District of Columbia Department of Health, Health Regulation and Licensing Administration (HRLA) is excited to announce the opening of our new online licensing system. Effective immediately, any healthcare provider who is interested in applying for a new health professional license, or to renew, reinstate, or reactivate an existing license, may do so by going to the below link and submitting an online application. All users are strongly encouraged to review the instructions prior to beginning the process.

https://doh.force.com/dchealthrenewals/s/portal-page

 

***COVID-19 UPDATES***

COVID-19 Guidance and Best Practices

For the most up to date information on the District's response to COVID-19, including information on best practices and recommended guidelines, please go to coronavirus.dc.gov

Due to ongoing efforts to combat the spread of COVID-19, effective immediately, the Health Regulation and Licensing Administration (HRLA) is implementing a 100% telework policy and will be available for mail services only

Please submit supplemental application documents to: DC Board of Optometry, 2201 Shannon Place SE, Washington, DC 20020 or to [email protected].

If you require assistance from the Board of Optometry, please contact [email protected]. Individuals may also call the Processing Center at 1 (877) 672-2174 to get an update on their pending applications.


The Board of Optometry regulates the practice of optometry in DC. The Board advises the Mayor and enforces the law. The Board also evaluates applicants' qualifications and administers exams, recommends standards and procedures, and issues licenses. The Board receives and reviews complaints; requests investigations; conducts hearings, issues subpoenas, examines witnesses, and administers oaths; and issues an annual report.

The Mayor appoints the board members, including the chair. The Board consists of five DC residents: four optometrists (who have been engaged in practice for at least three years) and one consumer. The consumer is at least 18 years old, not a health professional or in training to become one, and may have no household members involved in providing health care. Licenses expire on September 30 to March 31 of odd years.

Note: Complete applications are reviewed by the Board of Optometry in-between quarterly meetings. If a completed application reaches the Board during the month of a meeting, it will be reviewed during that meeting.

HYBRID MEETING NOTICE
Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, the Board will have a hybrid schedule of in-person and virtual meetings. In-person meetings will be held at 2201 Shannon Place SE, Washington, DC 20020. Information on how to access the public portion of the meeting virtually will be listed on the posted Open Session Meeting Agenda. The Board meets quarterly on the third Thursday. Please note that meeting dates can change. 

The Board of Optometry meeting dates:

  • October 19, 2023 (Virtual)
  • January 18, 2024 (In Person & Virtual)
  • April 18, 2024 (Virtual)
  • July 18, 2024 (In Person & Virtual)

Application Package Documents

License Renewal

Licensure Search

Discipline

Policy Statements

Additional Information

Contact Phone: 
(877) 672-2174
Contact Fax: 
(202) 727-8471
Contact TTY: 
711
Office Hours: 
Processing Center: M-F: 9 am-1 pm, W: 9 am-3:30 pm; Office Hours M-F: 8:15 am-4:45 pm
Service Location: 

Health, Department of

GIS Address: 
2201 Shannon Place SE
City: 
Washington
State: 
DC
Zip: 
20020