Comparison of
ABCO versus ABO
Programs

Criteria	American Board of Clinical Optometry (ABCO)	American Board of Optometry (ABO)
Initial Certification
Education and Training Required	OD Degree from accredited optometry school.	OD Degree from accredited optometry school.
Examination / Evidence of Initial Competence	NBEO or equivalent State Board licensing exams are proof of initial competence in general optometry.	Obtain 150 Points to be eligible for examination, then take and pass the ABO examination.
TPA Certification	Required, but non-TPA option available only until 2020.	Required.
Moral Character	NPDB Background Check	NPDB Background Check
Qualifications	Licensed Optometrist.	Licensed Optometrist in practice for at least 3 years.
Cost to Attain Initial Certification	$350 (plus $16 for NPDB report). No additional costs for a qualifying exam, review course, or to attain qualifying "points."	$300 to Apply, $1500 for examination ($750 for retake); Variable additional costs to obtain qualifying "points" and examination preparation/review, which range from $700-$1500.
Use of Net Profits	Grants to State and Local Optometric Organizations to Benefit Optometry	Unknown. ABO has not disclosed what it will do with its profits.
Maintenance of Certification
Length of MOC Cycle	5-year Cycles	10-year Cycle in 3-year Stages
SAMs (Self Assessment Modules)	1 per 5-year Cycle	2 per Stage/6 per 10-year Cycle
PPMs (Practice Performance Modules)	1 per 5-year Cycle	1 per Stage/3 per 10-year Cycle
Continuing Education Requirements	125 hours per 5-year Cycle. Any COPE, State Board, or Medical Board approved CE is accepted.	70 hours per 3-year Cycle, only ABO Approved CE allowed. Unknown what CE will be ABO Approved in the future.
Examination Requirements	Required at end of every 2nd 5-year Cycle (1 each 10 years).	Required once at end of each 10-year Cycle.
Burdens on Doctor	CE overlaps with state required CE; Total of 2 SAMs and 2 PPMs per every 10 years of MOC. Less expensive and less time consuming overall.	ABO approved CE; In addition to CE, 6 SAMs and 3 PPMs required per every 10 years of MOC. More expensive and more time consuming.
Cost of Completing a Cycle	$95 Annual fee.	$150 Annual Fee.

* Based on information currently available from the ABO.