Resources for New Licensees, Residents, & Students

New to Georgia? Questions about licensure, continuing education requirements, or GOA membership? You've come to the right place!

For the "How To" guide to apply for licensure in the state of Georgia, please see the state board's website here.

License Renewal & Continuing Education (CE) Requirements

The licensing period in Georgia is every two years (biennium). The biennium licensing 2 year cycle always begins in the even year (2024) and ends in the odd year (2025). The CE requirements for new licensees depend on whether an optometrist is licensed in the even or odd year. See below:

Graduates/New Licensees to GA in 2025 - 2025 graduates are coming in during the 2nd year of the biennium, so they would not be required to have CE for their license renewal at the end of 2025, but starting 2026 for the new biennium, they are entered into the full two year term and are required to have 36 hours by the end of 2027.

For Residents - They should look at it the same way, i.e. if a resident was licensed in GA and began their residency in 2024, they did not need CE to renew their license for 2025 (since it was the last year of the cycle). Beginning in 2026, they are in the full cycle and would be required to have 36 hours total by end of 2027. If they were licensed in GA and began their residency in 2025 (the 1st year of the cycle), they are required to have 18 hours of CE by end of 2026.

Read more of the state board's rules here.

GOA Membership for New Licensees, Residents, and Students

Discounted membership rates are offered to new licensees and residents in the state of Georgia. Free membership is offered to students who intend to practice in Georgia. To apply for membership, see the application below.

2025 Membership Application