Board of Optometry

Contact Information

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Passage of HB 227

On July 1, 2025, HB 227 of the 2025 Montana Legislative Session became effective. Applicants and licensees of qualifying boards and programs will be charged an additional $5 fee. The fees will be used to establish a contingent litigation fund. The fund will help offset compliance costs for licensees of impacted boards. Fund participants are evaluated on a yearly basis and will be disclosed prior to July 1 of each year. For more information, please contact us.

Montana Board of Optometry

Our services are available through remote delivery. We are available to assist customers through our online public portal at EBIZ.MT.GOV/POL (Professional and Occupational Licenses) and EBIZ.MT.GOV (for Permits). For other services, please contact us via email at DLIBSDWEBHELP@MT.GOV or by phone (406) 444-6880.

Welcome to the Montana Board of Optometry

The Montana Board of Optometry is pleased to share with you the licensing and regulatory information for optometrists. Within this website you will find information on what is needed to become licensed, verify who is already licensed, and learn the statutory and regulatory requirements if you are licensed. You can also learn of board meetings and agenda topics, see the latest news and view frequently asked questions. You can start your search for information by choosing from board information topics to the left on each tab.

Victoria Pagan, Executive Officer
Victoria.Pagan2@mt.gov

Legislative HB 218 Effective July 1, 2025

Effective July 1, 2025 House Bill 218 (2025) allows for Optometrists to perform laser surgical procedures per ARM 24.168.801 Expanded Scope of Practice – Surgical Certificate Requirements. Licensed Optometrists can obtain the expanded scope of practice when they meet the requirements set forth by the Montana Board of Optometry. Before a licensee may perform surgery, as set forth in 37-10-101, MCA the licensee must complete an approved course that:

is at least 32 hours in duration
includes content related to each laser surgical procedure set forth in 37-10-101, MCA; and
is taught by an instructor who is qualified to perform each of the surgical procedures set forth in 37-10-101, MCA.

Please refer to the following link for instructions on how to obtain your laser surgical endorsement: Apply for a Laser Surgical Endorsement

Licensing Scams Notice
Be aware that there are scams that specifically target licensees.

Fraudsters may pretend to be government employees, claiming that there is a problem with your professional license or that they have questions about your practice.

In some cases they find publicly available license information, such as your name, and then call your place of business pretending to be licensing board staff, attempting to elicit personally identifiable information.

Department of Labor and Industry employees will never threaten you for information or promise a benefit in exchange for personal information or money.

We may call you in some situations, but will never do the following over the phone:
- Threaten suspension or revocation of your license
- Demand immediate payment from you
- Require payment by cash, gift card, pre-paid debit card, internet currency, or wire transfer
- Ask for personal details or banking information
The following scenarios should raise suspicion:
- A caller saying there is a problem with your professional or occupational license (licensing boards send renewal notices by mail and email)
- Any call asking you to pay a fine or debt with retail gift cards, wire transfers, pre-paid debit cards, internet currency, or by mailing cash
- A request to verify your social security number in its entirety over the phone
Learn more about fraud prevention and reporting at https://dojmt.gov/consumer/identity-theft/