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American Board of Certification in Medical Optometry

A Reminder to VA Residents

ABCMO offers Board Certification in the Specialty of Medical Optometry which “encompasses the medical diagnosis, management and treatment of primary and secondary diseases and disorders of the human eye, adnexa and visual tracts.”

ABCMO is recognized at Joint Commission accredited medical facilities as issuing board certification in the Specialty of Medical Optometry. Those certified by ABCMO are eligible for credentialing at these facilities as specialists rather than general practice optometrists.

To apply for Specialty Certification in Medical Optometry an OD must:

  1. Complete a full-time, ACOE (or equivalent) accredited, postgraduate clinical residency training program having its major emphasis on medical optometry at a health care facility accredited by The Joint Commission, such as a VA medical center.
  2. Pass the Advanced Competence in Medical Optometry (ACMO) exam. This exam is significantly discounted for current Residents.
  3. Meet additional requirements as outlined on the Certification Application.

For more information about specialty certifications at your medical facility, please talk with the residency supervisor where you are training.

You may send any application questions to info@abcmo.org


About ABCMO

The American Board of Certification in Medical Optometry (ABCMO) is recognized at Joint Commission accredited medical facilities as issuing board certification in the Specialty of Medical Optometry. Those certified by ABCMO are eligible for credentialing at these facilities as specialists rather than general optometry practitioners.


About The Joint Commission

The Joint Commission is the recognized agency that accredits federal, state, and local-chartered medical facilities. Over 127 Joint Commission accredited hospitals, clinics and teaching institutions now credential ABCMO Board Certified Optometrists as Specialists in Medical Optometry.

April 28, 2022
Filed Under: News

ABCMO News, Updates & Editorials


Email Updates

ABCMO News

  • ACMO Exam Scheduled for Thursday, June 22, 2023
  • Newsletter – ABCMO News and Updates – May 2022
  • A Reminder to VA Residents
  • Newsletter – ABCMO News and Updates – September 2021
  • Newsletter – ABCMO News and Updates – January 2021

Reflections – Articles of Interest and Editorials

  • 10 Administrators for Every Doctor
  • What is Medical Optometry?
  • A Letter to VA Optometry Residency Coordinators: Benefits of ACMO
  • Retail and Clinical Pharmacy
  • It’s Time to Rethink Board Recertification

Comments are welcome and can be sent to editor@abcmo.org for publication under the author's name.

Certification Requirements

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.

Complete Application and Requirements

American Board of Optometry Specialties

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