The Mission of ABCMO
The American Board of Certification in Medical Optometry (ABCMO) provides recognition and certification of US licensed optometrists who have chosen to specialize in medical optometry after receiving their professional degree (O.D.) and license to practice.
The specialty of medical optometry encompasses the medical diagnosis, management and treatment of primary and secondary diseases and disorders of the human eye, adnexa and visual tracts.
Requirements for certification include an O.D. degree, license to practice optometry, satisfactory completion of an accredited residency in medical optometry, passage of the national Advanced Competence in Medical Optometry (ACMO) examination and active practice of medical optometry.
The Value of Board Certification
ABCMO certification provides the public, credentialing committees and fellow medical practitioners a national, uniform indicator that an optometrist possesses specialized, advanced knowledge, skills and competence in the practice of medical optometry. It is not only recognized, but also required by many employers.
Requirements for Board Certification
The following are in addition to an O.D. degree from an accredited North American school or college of optometry and a current state license to practice.
- Residency: Completion of a full-time, ACOE (or equivalent) accredited, postgraduate clinical residency training program having major emphasis on medical optometry.
- ACMO Exam: Passage of the Advanced Competence in Medical Optometry exam (or equivalent) offered by the National Board of Examiners in Optometry.
- Practice: Documented significant practice of medical optometry for a minimum of two years immediately prior to application for certification.
The Practice requirement is waived in the two years immediately following residency training.
The (American) College of Medical Optometry
In response to continued growth and in accordance with Article 5 of our Governing Bylaws, ABCMO has begun the process of determining whether enough interest exists within Medical Optometry for the creation of the American College of Medical Optometry (ACMO) or, more simply, the College of Medical Optometry (CoMO).
Division of Responsibilities
The ABCMO Board of Directors, ultimately responsible for the entire organization, will continue to focus on:
- Certification in the Specialty of Medical Optomety
- Maintenance of Certification Program Requirements
- Verification of ABCMO certification for employers
- Maintaining status with accrediting organizations
The “College” and its Board of Advisors will primarily focus on:
- Furthering the professional development of the membership
- Educating the public about the benefits of board certification
- Taking a leadership role in the specialty of Medical Optometry
Interest List for Board of Advisors
Would you like to serve on a College Board of Advisors? Or, do you know someone you’d like to nominate? Please email us at info@abcmo.org
The Journal of Medical Optometry
ABCMO is proud to support the peer-reviewed Journal of Medical Optometry (JoMO). If you have not seen it yet, or have missed an edition, you can catch up below. ABCMO encourages optometrists certified in Medical Optometry to submit abstracts for review – remember, this is your journal!
Vol 4, Issue 2 (Current Issue)
Vol 4, Issue 1 (Feb 2026)
Vol 3, Issue 4 (Nov 2025)
Vol 3, Issue 3 (Aug 2025)
Vol 3, Issue 2 (May 2025)
Vol 3, Issue 1 (Feb 2025)
Vol 2, Issue 4 (Nov 2024)
Vol 2, Issue 3 (Aug 2024)
Vol 2, Issue 2 (May 2024)
Vol 2, Issue 1 (Feb 2024)
Vol 1, Issue 3 (Nov 2023)
Vol 1, Issue 2 (Aug 2023)
Vol 1, Issue 1 (Mar 2023)
Questions? Comments?
Dr. Kenneth Myers
President, ABCMO
info@abcmo.org