How Long Does It Take to Start a New Optometry Practice?

2026-08-21

Starting an optometry practice takes 6 to 18 months. Learn the timeline, key steps, costs, and how to speed up the process.

Starting a new optometry practice is a major undertaking, and the timeline is a common question. On average, it takes 6 to 18 months from initial planning to opening your doors. The exact duration depends on your experience, financing, location, and how quickly you make decisions. This guide breaks down the phases, realistic costs, and practical steps to keep your project on track.

Phase 1: Planning and Market Research (1 to 3 months)

Before you sign a lease or buy equipment, you need a solid plan. This phase involves:

Define your services: Decide if you’ll offer comprehensive eye exams, contact lens fittings, medical eye care, or optical retail. This affects equipment and staffing needs.
Market analysis: Research your target area. Look at population density, age demographics, average income, and the number of existing optometrists within a 5-mile radius. A simple tool like the U.S. Census Bureau’s QuickFacts can give you basic data.
Financial projections: Estimate startup costs and monthly operating expenses. Use realistic numbers from your local market. For example, rent for a 1,200 to 1,500 square foot space in a suburban strip mall might run $3,000 to $6,000 per month, depending on your city.
Business plan: Write a concise plan that outlines your services, target market, marketing strategy, and financial forecasts. This is essential for securing loans or investors.

Actionable step this week: Spend 5 hours researching your top 3 potential locations. Use Google Maps to count competing practices and note their services and hours.

Phase 2: Legal Structure and Licensing (1 to 2 months, can overlap)

You can start this while you’re still refining your plan. Key tasks include:

Choose a legal structure: Most practices operate as an LLC or PLLC (Professional Limited Liability Company). An LLC offers liability protection and tax flexibility. Filing fees range from $50 to $500 depending on your state.
Obtain an Employer Identification Number (EIN) from the IRS. This is free and takes about 10 minutes online.
State optometry license: You must hold an active license in the state where you practice. If you’re already licensed, ensure it’s current. If you’re moving, budget for licensure by endorsement, which can take 1 to 3 months and cost $200 to $500.
Business permits and tax registrations: Check with your city and county for a business license (often $50 to $400 annually) and a seller’s permit if you’ll sell eyewear.

Actionable step this week: If you haven’t already, apply for your EIN online. It’s a quick win.

Phase 3: Financing and Budget (2 to 4 months)

Securing funding is often the biggest bottleneck. Here’s what to expect:

Startup costs: For a small optometry practice, you’ll need $150,000 to $400,000 for equipment, leasehold improvements, initial inventory, and working capital. Here’s a rough breakdown:

Item	Cost Range
Exam room equipment (phoropter, slit lamp, etc.)	$50,000 - $100,000
Optical retail inventory (frames, lenses)	$30,000 - $60,000
Leasehold improvements (build-out, signage)	$40,000 - $100,000
Office furniture and computers	$10,000 - $20,000
Software (EHR, practice management)	$5,000 - $15,000 (first year)
Marketing (website, signage, initial ads)	$5,000 - $15,000
Working capital (3-6 months of expenses)	$30,000 - $90,000

Funding sources: Options include SBA loans (7(a) program), traditional bank loans, equipment financing, or using personal savings. SBA loans often require a 10% to 20% down payment and have interest rates around 7% to 10% as of 2026. The approval process can take 2 to 4 months.

Actionable step this week: Get pre-qualified for a loan. Even if you’re not ready to borrow, this gives you a realistic budget and shows you where you stand.

Phase 4: Location and Lease Negotiation (2 to 4 months)

Finding the right space is critical. This phase can overlap with financing.

Search for space: Look for 1,200 to 1,800 square feet with good visibility and parking. A medical office building or a retail strip center are common choices. Expect to spend 4 to 8 weeks searching and negotiating.
Lease terms: Commercial leases typically run 3 to 5 years with options to renew. Negotiate for tenant improvement allowances (the landlord pays for build-out) and free rent for the first 1 to 2 months. A common deal is $30 to $50 per square foot per year, but this varies widely by region.
Build-out: If you need to construct exam rooms, install plumbing, or add a lab, this can take 2 to 4 months. Plan for permits and inspections.

Actionable step this week: Contact 3 commercial real estate agents who specialize in medical or retail spaces. Ask about available properties and typical lease terms in your area.

Phase 5: Equipment, Technology, and Inventory (1 to 2 months)

Once you have a lease and financing, you can order equipment. Lead times are important.

Exam equipment: Order phoropters, slit lamps, tonometers, and retinal cameras. Many vendors have lead times of 4 to 8 weeks. Consider buying used or refurbished to save 30% to 50%, but ensure they come with warranties.
Optical lab equipment: If you plan to do in-house edging, budget $20,000 to $50,000 for a lens edger and related tools. Many new practices outsource lens fabrication to save money initially.
Software: Choose an EHR (electronic health records) and practice management system. Cloud-based options like Eyefinity or RevolutionEHR cost $300 to $800 per month. Set aside time for training.
Inventory: Stock frames and lenses. A starting inventory of 300 to 500 frames costs $30,000 to $60,000. Work with vendors who offer consignment or flexible terms.

Actionable step this week: Create a list of required equipment and get quotes from at least 2 vendors. Compare lead times and prices.

Phase 6: Hiring and Training (1 to 2 months)

Your staff can make or break your opening. Plan ahead.

Key positions: You’ll need at least one front desk receptionist and one optician. If you plan to offer medical services, consider hiring a technician. Salaries vary: receptionists earn $15 to $20 per hour, opticians $18 to $25 per hour, and technicians $16 to $22 per hour.
Training: Allow 2 to 4 weeks for training on your software, patient flow, and customer service. This can happen before your official opening.

Actionable step this week: Write job descriptions for your first two hires. Post them on Indeed or local job boards.

Phase 7: Marketing and Soft Opening (1 month)

You want patients on day one. Start marketing before you open.

Build a website: A professional website with online booking is essential. Budget $1,500 to $5,000 for design and development, plus $100 to $300 per month for hosting and maintenance.
Local SEO: Claim your Google Business Profile and optimize for local searches like “optometrist near me.”
Soft opening: Invite friends, family, and local businesses for a preview week. Offer free eye exams or discounts to generate word-of-mouth.

Actionable step this week: Register your domain name and set up a basic landing page with your practice name, services, and contact info.

FAQ

Can I start an optometry practice in less than 6 months? Yes, if you have cash on hand, find a turnkey space (previously an optometry office), and order equipment early. Some practices open in 4 to 5 months, but this is aggressive and risky.

What is the biggest delay in opening? Financing and lease negotiations are the most common bottlenecks. Loan approval can take 3 to 4 months, and build-out can add another 2 to 3 months. Start these early.

Do I need to hire staff before I open? Yes, you should have at least a front desk person and an optician on board at least 2 weeks before opening for training. You can also hire a part-time technician if needed.

How much working capital should I have? Plan for 6 months of operating expenses, which might be $50,000 to $100,000 depending on rent and payroll. This covers slow initial months.

The bottom line

Starting an optometry practice takes 6 to 18 months, with most owners landing around 9 to 12 months. The key is to start the financing and lease processes as early as possible, as they have the longest lead times. Break the project into phases, set deadlines for each, and tackle one task each week. With careful planning, you’ll be seeing patients sooner than you think.