About the American Board of Optometry

The American Board of Optometry (ABO) was founded in 2009 as a non-profit organization that board certifies optometrists in the United States and Canada. We were established to serve the public and the optometry profession by assessing and certifying the competency of optometrists. Board certification is a voluntary process that sets educational and practice standards and offers a means of demonstrating ongoing clinical competence through maintenance of certification.

Purpose & Mission

Our mission is to advance the quality of eye care by promoting excellence through education, assessment, practice and professionalism, for the benefit of all patients.

The ABO pledges to achieve our mission through a commitment to the following principles.

  • Requirements and objectives should be rooted in evidence-based guidelines, national quality standards and best practices.
  • Activities and assessments should be relevant to clinical practice.
  • Learning methods should provide direction and guidance for improvement in practice and delivery of care.
  • Periodic feedback from Diplomates should be used to evaluate and shape the maintenance of certification process to ensure it is continually improving and meeting the needs of the profession.
  • Board certification and maintenance of certification should not be cost prohibitive or unduly time-consuming.
  • Board certification should remain a voluntary process.
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By going through the voluntary process of becoming board certified, our Diplomates demonstrate competence beyond entry level.

Upcoming Events

Stay in the know about exams, training, and more by visiting our events page.

Webinar: Clinical Quandaries

May 8, 2025 @ 7:00 pm - 9:00 pm CDT
Save the date for Thursday May 8, 2025 to attend Clinical Quandaries, presented by Dr. Paul Ajamian. This course will...
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ABO Annual Meeting

Jun 24, 2025 @ 9:00 am - 4:30 pm CDT
The American Board of Optometry annual Board of Directors meeting will take place in Minneapolis, MN in conjunction with Optometry's...
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Optometry’s Meeting

Jun 25, 2025 @ 6:00 pm - Jun 27, 2025 @ 4:30 pm CDT
Attending Optometry's Meeting in Minneapolis? Visit the American Board of Optometry at booth 630 in the exhibit hall on Wednesday,...
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