Introduction
Medicine, osteopathy and dentistry have long had specialty certification boards that issue “board certifications” to those completing residency specialty training in defined specialty areas of each of these professions after licensing. Optometry has one specialty certification board and three boards that issue certifications to general practitioners.
The three boards for general optometry practitioners certify current licensing-level competency rather than specialty competency and differ considerably in their requirements.
All four types of certification are voluntary and not required for licensure, license renewal or the private practice of optometry.
Specialty certification is required, however, of a licensed optometrist seeking credentialing as a specialist at a Joint Commission accredited health care organization.
Read the full paper: