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American Board of Optometry Specialties

American Board of Optometry Specialties

ABOS LogoMission of ABOS

The American Board of Optometry Specialties (ABOS) seeks to further the education, training and competence of optometrists by supporting member (and emerging) optometry specialty certification boards.

ABOS has established national standards and requirements for optometry specialty certification boards similar to those of medical, osteopathic, dental and podiatry specialty certification boards. These standards are aligned with requirements for credentialing of specialists at Joint Commission accredited medical facilities.

ABOS also seeks to further the education of the public about the optometry specialties available to them when making decisions about eye care.

Current Member Specialty Boards

The American Board of Certification in Medical Optometry (ABCMO).

Optometry Specialties and Subspecialties

Learn more about optometry specialties and subspecialties.

New Specialty Boards Encouraged to Apply

ABOS encourages the formation of Specialty Boards in Family Optometry, Pediatric Optometry and Low Vision Optometry

Criteria for Specialty Board Membership

Read the membership criteria or file a preliminary application.

Why ABOS Was Established

Today 25% of optometry graduates, prior to entering practice, elect to serve a postgraduate residency (PG-1) in an optometry specialty of which the most popular is medical optometry. This is a significant shift towards postgraduate residency training and a sign the O.D. degree and license, while adequate to insure competence in general practice, can no longer insure competence in all areas of optometry practice… [Read more…]

Governance of ABOS

Learn more about ABOS

Questions? Please Contact

Dr. Charles Mullen
Founder, ABOS
info@abos.us

Join ABOS

  • Current Member Boards
  • New Boards Encouraged
  • Criteria for Membership
  • Apply for Membership

More Info

  • Why ABOS Was Established
  • Specialties and Subspecialties
  • Defining an Optometry Specialty
  • How Specialty Boards Are Recognized and Role of ABOS
  • Licensing and Credentialing of Health Clinicians – Impact on Optometry Specialties
  • Recognized Credentialing Levels for Physicians, Dentists and Optometrists
  • The History of Specialists and Optometry Board Certification
  • Optometry Credentialing at Medical Facilities

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