What is Board Certification?

Board certification is a voluntary credential that goes above and beyond licensing requirements for practicing optometry. It is confirmation of an optometrist’s personal commitment to providing the highest quality patient care and engaging in lifelong learning and self-assessment.

Board certification is awarded after the following requirements have been met:

  • Graduation from an ACOE-accredited optometry school in the United States or Canada.
  • Completion of an accredited one-year residency program or submission of 150 qualifying points, earned through continuing education, years in practice, advanced care patient encounters, or other ABO approved activities.
  • Possession of a valid, active license to practice therapeutic optometry in a U.S. state, territory or the District of Columbia.
  • Successful completion of a comprehensive written examination.

Once board certification is granted, optometrists are awarded the title Diplomate of the American Board of Optometry. Diplomates maintain certification and continually demonstrate their commitment to ongoing learning through a structured program known as CAP (continuous assessment program).

The American Board of Optometry is the only optometric certification board recognized by the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) and accredited by the National Commission for Certifying Agencies (NCCA).

Download a Printable Overview of the Board Certification 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.

Certificate of Added Qualification (CAQ) Exam Window

Aug 1, 2024 @ 8:00 am - Dec 15, 2024 @ 5:00 pm CDT
The 2024 exam window for CAQ applicants is open from August 1 - December 15. All CAQ applicants who have...
More About Event > about Certificate of Added Qualification (CAQ) Exam Window

American Academy of Optometry

Nov 6, 2024 @ 8:00 am - Nov 8, 2024 @ 5:00 pm CST
Save the date! Visit us at booth 744 in Indianapolis November 6 - 8! Learn about board certification, our new...
More About Event > about American Academy of Optometry

Webinar: Grand Rounds – Medical Uses of Contact Lenses

Nov 20, 2024 @ 7:00 pm - 9:00 pm CST
Save the date! Join us for a 2-hour COPE-accredited webinar presented by Deepa Chandrasekaran, OD, FAAO, FIACLE. Dr. Chandrasekaran is...
More About Event > about Webinar: Grand Rounds – Medical Uses of Contact Lenses

SUBSCRIBE TO OUR NEWSLETTER

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