Student Candidate Program - A Path to Lifelong Learning
The American Board of Optometry's (ABO) Student Candidate Program allows future doctors of optometry to express their commitment to quality patient care by engaging in lifelong learning and assessment from an early point in their career. The Student Candidate program is open to all third- and fourth-year optometry students enrolled at an ACOE-accredited school and students may begin an application in the second semester of their third year.
Board certification is the gold standard for providers among all healthcare professions. In optometry, it is a voluntary credential that goes above and beyond licensing requirements and is confirmation of an optometrist’s personal commitment to providing the highest quality patient care and engaging in lifelong learning and assessment.
Applying for student candidacy gives future optometrists a head start in earning eligibility to sit for the board certification exam and may also help prepare students for the final parts of their licensing boards. Demonstrating a dedication to life-long learning while still a student sets future practitioners on a path of success from the start.
I want to become a student candidate
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.
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