Welcome to the NBEO website, which contains comprehensive information about all facets of our Parts I, II, and III examinations. Our mission is to develop state-of-the-art examinations that fairly and accurately assess candidates’ knowledge and clinical skills at various stages of their optometric education. NBEO examination scores are utilized by state boards of optometry as they evaluate applicants for optometric licensure. Our goal is to ensure that passage of all three Parts of our exams assures competence at an entry level of optometric practice, which in 2012 encompasses a sophisticated scope of abilities following intensive training in contemporary optometry schools and colleges. The 2012 calendar year promises to be an exciting one. The National Board is administering Part II Patient Assessment and Management (PAM) as a computer-based test (CBT) and is releasing the new NBEO Ethics Policy and Candidate Exam Conduct and Exam Security Agreement.

The Board of Directors consists of 8 members who may serve up to two full terms, each term having duration of 4 years. Four members are individuals nominated by Association of Regulatory Boards of Optometry (ARBO), three are nominated by the Association of Schools and Colleges of Optometry (ASCO), and one member is a representative of the public-at-large. The President, Vice-President, and Secretary-Treasurer are elected annually from the Board and serve as the Executive Committee.

The NBEO Web site has been designed to answer the most commonly asked questions about the "National Boards" and to assist you as you prepare for our examinations. This site also will frequently be of value when you apply to the state boards for a license to practice optometry. We urge you to browse the site thoroughly.

The 2012 "National Boards" are the culmination of the work of many practicing optometrists and optometric educators. This includes the National Board's case authors and item writers, five examination development committees, three examination councils, many In-House and Remote clinical examiners, proctors, the Board of Directors, and its staff.

All 50 states, the District of Columbia, and Puerto Rico require Parts I and II, and 48 states plus the District of Columbia and Puerto Rico require Part III. Also, 44 states plus the District of Columbia require the TMOD examination as one step toward therapeutic privileges.

Consequently, the 2012 examinations represent a national standard of entry-level competence to practice optometry. The information in the table "Exam Schedule" summarizes answers to the most frequently asked questions about when the exams are administered. Also, you will find a section regarding "How to register for an exam?," more details of the exam schedule and "Deadlines," the "Test Centers" in which our exams will be administered, NBEO "Fees," and "Eligibility Requirements."

We recommend that you thoroughly review the specific outlines of the Examination Content for Parts I, II, III, and ACMO. This information presents, in detail, the scope of our exams and how the questions are distributed. Careful assessment of the exam outlines will help you prepare better and perform at your maximum potential. The section on Score Reporting explains how your scores are determined and the pass/fail cutoff.

Finally, the listing of key individuals associated with the National Board, including its board members and staff, and those you can contact at a state board office, is a valuable resource. If you do not find the answers to your questions on this site, please contact the college liaison administrator at your school if you are a student; call the National Board directly if you are a practitioner.

The National Board extends its greeting to you and its best wishes for your success in your chosen profession of optometry.

Nancy Peterson-Klein, O.D
2012 President