(Updated September 21, 2009)

Part III, renamed “Clinical Skills” (CSE), consists of a single section – the 4-station Clinical Skills Examination that was one of the two sections that comprised the former Part III.

In CSE, the candidate examines a different patient at each of four 30-minute stations, in the performance of 18 clinical skills. Although this examination primarily measures psychomotor skills, it contains an assessment of affective (i.e., clinical habits and attitudes) and communication skills, as well as some interpretation of clinical findings. CSE is administered in one 3.5 hour session; however, because of the limited number of candidates who may be examined per session, multiple sessions are scheduled. Click here for the 2010 CSE Candidate Guide. Candidates are expected to carefully and thoroughly review the Candidate Orientation information contained in this document prior to arrival at the test center. Most of this information will not be repeated during the on-site Candidate Orientation. Click here to view the text from the scannable 2010 CSE Station Evaluation Forms.

For CSE, the only acceptable reasons for rescheduling are conflicts with religious observances or with dates of a state board examination. Such rescheduling is dependent upon available openings. Candidates should submit their special requests for CSE along with their application. Candidates should email, mail, or fax any special requests to the NBEO office. The National Board will try to meet these special requests but cannot guarantee that the requests can be met.

The National Board reserves the right to add or cancel a test center at any time. If a center is canceled, registrants at the center will be reassigned to the nearest available center.

Student candidates are permitted to take Part III just before they graduate from a ACOE-accredited institution. However, an individual candidate's official score report containing Part III scores will not be released until the National Board has received official notification that the candidate has graduated. Also, no official score reports containing Part III scores will be released to any candidate until the posted date for Release of Score Reports.

Specific content for each section is linked to a PDF file. To ensure your ability to read these PDF files, please download the latest version of the Adobe Acrobat Reader® by clicking here.

NOTE: The table below reflects the CSE content and format for 2010 and is subject to change for 2011.

A. Clinical Skills - Practical examination with 4 Stations and 18 skills

Station 1:

1. Case History / Patient Communication 2. Near Cover Test 3. Binocular Extraocular Muscle Motility Evaluation 4. Blood Pressure Measurement 5. Ophthalmic Lens Evaluation

Station 2:

6. Pupil Testing 7. Biomicroscopy 8. Goldmann Applanation Tonometry 9. Gonioscopy 10. Collagen Implant Insertion and Removal 11. Ocular Disease Management: Patient Education

Station 3:

12. Retinoscopy 13. Distance Subjective Refraction 14. Heterophoria and Vergence Testing at Distance 15. Accommodation Testing

Station 4:

16. Binocular Indirect Ophthalmoscopy 17. Dilated Biomicroscopy and Non-Contact Fundus Lens Evaluation 18. Soft and GP Contact Lens Insertion, Evaluation, and Removal

B. Injections Pilot - Intravenous and Intramuscular Injection Skills Pilot Station

(Participation in the Injections Pilot is voluntary; April 2010 Injection Skills Pilot sites: TBA)

Station 1:

1. Intravenous Injection 2. Intramuscular Injection