Diplomate Survey Reveals Positive Marks for Board Certification and Need for Increased Awareness

As board certification continues to expand across all health professions, ABO remains focused on ensuring excellence for its Diplomates. This commitment is reflected in a credential grounded in high-quality education and assessment, as well as ongoing efforts to communicate the value of board certification to both providers and their patients.

In November 2025, Diplomates were invited to participate in a survey exploring perceptions of board certification and maintenance of certification. The survey examined the value of the credential, how board certification is communicated to the public, and how it is perceived within the profession and by the general public.

Survey results were overwhelmingly positive. More than 81% of responding Diplomates believe board certification is a valuable tool for maintaining clinical expertise, while over 78% feel it directly benefits their patients. In addition, 83% reported that board certification contributes to their personal satisfaction and career accomplishments.

The survey also explored which components of board certification provide the greatest value. While responses varied, the structured learning program (particularly CAP assessments and webinars) consistently ranked high. Other factors contributing to the perceived value of board certification included enhanced employment opportunities, increased marketability, and growth in patient referrals and new patients. Compared with earlier surveys, these findings suggest a shift toward greater employer recognition, increased appreciation of the educational value of maintenance of certification, and improved public awareness.

The second half of the survey focused on how ABO can better support Diplomates in communicating their board certification status, as well as overall awareness of the importance of board certification in both professional and public settings. Results indicated an opportunity for improvement and highlighted the need for stronger collaboration to raise awareness of the critical role board certification plays in patient care and in maintaining optometry’s standards alongside other healthcare professions.

After analyzing the survey results, ABO formed a committee to develop tools that help Diplomates share their board certification credentials and to identify strategies for addressing awareness gaps. Several new initiatives are expected to launch by late spring, with key areas of focus including:

• Tools and tips to help Diplomates communicate their board certification to patients and employers, such as infographics, logos, office materials, taglines, and content resources
• Actionable steps Diplomates can take to increase awareness of board certification among colleagues
• Incorporating satisfaction indicators from current Diplomates into broader promotional efforts
• Outreach to state boards to encourage greater acceptance of ABO’s COPE-accredited continuing education for state licensure requirements

“We have a great story to tell about board certification in optometry,” said ABO Director Patti Philips, Ph.D., committee member and CEO of ROI Institute, Inc. “The challenge lies in effectively communicating that story to patients, the profession, and other key stakeholders. Board certification is an exceptional tool that helps optometrists maintain a high level of competence, leading to excellence in practice and improved patient care for the benefit of all.”