Fellowship Information
Consumer Information
ABCO Fellow Login
Comparison of
ABCO versus ABO
Programs
Criteria |
American Board of Clinical Optometry (ABCO) |
American Board of Optometry (ABO) |
|
Initial Certification |
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| 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 |
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| 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.