Benefits of American Board of Optometry Certification

Board certification is a significant milestone in continuing professional development. Health care organizations, employers, credentialing agencies, third party payers, the government and the public recognize ABO Board Certification as an important quality marker.

The practice and scope of optometry continues to evolve. New studies, advancing technology, enhanced practice guidelines and changing patient needs ensure that the way you practice today will not be the way you practice tomorrow. Board certification plays a vital role in making sure health care professionals are continually expanding their clinical knowledge, acquiring new skills and adapting to the changing healthcare environment.

Earning Diplomate status in the American Board of Optometry benefits the optometrist, the profession and the public. Embracing the challenge and committing to lifelong learning through board certification is a worthwhile and rewarding endeavor.

Path to Continuous Learning

Board Certification and Maintenance of Certification provide a structured path for continuous learning. With focused topics, feedback for self-directed study and frequent assessment opportunities, doctors can be confident that they are keeping up with the latest advancements and clinical practice guidelines available.

“The board certification process made me a better doctor. Pushing myself to keep up to date has benefitted my patients as well as my practice. The maintenance of certification process inspires me to keep up with the current standards of care and exposes me to resources that help my practice thrive and grow. In my 34 years of practice I can say without a doubt that becoming a Diplomate was the single best thing I have done!”

Jennifer Branning, OD

Diplomate, American Board of Optometry

Career Advancement

While Board Certification is a voluntary process, many organizations recognize the value of the credential. Whether you are in a large medical practice, employed by a health care organization, a faculty member, a military service member or seeking hospital privileges, board certification can be the qualification you need to take that next step for promotion and recognition. Certain employers may require it, some may simply encourage it and others may use it for fulfillment of career advancement requirements.

“I have had privileges at three hospitals, served on one hospital board and served on a credentialing committee. One thing that is constant is the question of board certification on the application. Being able to check that box makes all the difference. Not being board certified gives the hospital credentialing committee an easy out to deny an optometrist’s application.”

Kerry Beebe, OD

Retired Diplomate, American Board of Optometry

“Gundersen Health System requires board certification for all optometrists. It is an assurance to our patients and various third-party payers that we maintain a measurable level of competence by a recognized, accredited program. Optometry is simply being required to meet the same standards set forth for all other specialties in our system.”

John Sterling, MS, OD

Gundersen Health System
Diplomate, American Board of Optometry

Better Patient Care

Studying for the initial Board Certification exam is an opportunity for comprehensive review of optometric knowledge and skills. Many candidates shared that this review reinforced and reinvigorated their existing knowledge and sparked interest in potential new practice growth areas.

ABO’s maintenance of certification program brings to your attention landmark studies, new clinically-relevant research, and the latest clinical practice guidelines, allowing you to more easily keep up with changes in the profession. Periodic assessments and self-assessment modules enable optometrists to bring their knowledge and skills up-to-date while reinforcing their understanding and maximizing use of their limited and precious time.

Contribution to the Profession

Board Certification helps to advance optometry as a profession by demonstrating our merit for recognition and inclusion in the health care system and policy decision making. Board certification offers the optometry profession and third-party payers the objective assurance that an optometrist is maintaining a measurable level of competence by a recognized, accredited program.

“Aside from our scope of practice challenges, as a profession we still face discriminatory insolence from many health maintenance organizations and the health insurance industry. Many optometrists face barriers and denials when applying for privileges at their local community hospitals, diagnostic service providers or insurance panels. These discriminatory acts are in part a result of not having a uniform national or federal “optometric practice” model. Organized optometry at a grass roots or national level has been our best asset for professional progress. In view of that, certification from a national standardized board may be our best chance to unite and overcome many of these challenges in the future.”

Mohammad Rafieetary, OD, FAAO

Diplomate, American Board of Optometry

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