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.

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.

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.

I'M A DIPLOMATE/CANDIDATE

LEARNING BUILDER ACCOUNT ACCESS

Check Board Certification Status

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.

Spring Exam Window

Feb 1, 2024 @ 8:00 am - Mar 31, 2024 @ 5:00 pm CST
The next administration of the board certification exam will be February 1 - March 31, 2024. Applications may be submitted...
More About Event > about Spring Exam Window

Webinar: Long Term Outcomes and Recent Advances in Refractive Surgery

Apr 29, 2024 @ 7:00 pm - 9:00 pm CDT
Join us on April 29 as Mark Eltis, OD, presents a course on advances in refractive surgery. While LASIK and...
More About Event > about Webinar: Long Term Outcomes and Recent Advances in Refractive Surgery

SUBSCRIBE TO OUR NEWSLETTER

  • This field is for validation purposes and should be left unchanged.