The requirements for initial board certification follow the recommendations of the profession, allowing a three-year phase-in period, similar to the processes of medical specialties in their formative years, Dr. Cockrell said. The educational requirements during this phase-in period allow numerous ways to qualify for the examination, such as participation in an ACOE-accredited residency, a fellowship in the American Academy of Optometry and clinical practice experience.
Dr. Cockrell suggested that the ABO will be “a paperless entity” and that initial applications for board certification will be available on its website ( http://americanboardofoptometry.org). Upon confirmation of the application requirements, the ABO will grant the applicant “active candidate” status for a one-year period. Then, to become eligible to take the board certification examination, active candidates must have attained 150 points of ABO-approved postgraduate education/experience within three years prior to exam application.
Currently, the ABO is in the process of selecting a software company to create the board certification examination. Dr. Cockrell said that the exam will “test the O.D.’s clinical skills and experience” across five core assessment categories and three categories of emphasis. Additionally, candidates will be advised of potential subjects covered on the examination and will receive suggestions on what they need to do to prepare for it. Finally, Dr. Cockrell said that no candidate will need to travel beyond his or her home state to take the board certification exam.
Dr. Cockrell said that the initial application fee is expected to range between $200 and $250. Though the examination fee is still undetermined, ABO executives have previously suggested that it could range from $800 to $1,500.
Upon successful completion of the board certification examination, the ABO will confer “board certified” status to the applicant for a 10-year period. However, board certification must be kept current through enrollment in the ABO’s 10-year maintenance of certification process, which involves attendance at continuing education conferences, clinical experience, additional scholarly activities, and the successful completion of a self-assessment module and/or performance in practice module.
