This question recently came to mind while noticing my dentist’s board certification in oral surgery hanging next to his D.D.S diploma and State License.
You probably also have your ABCMO board certification on the wall with your State License and O.D. diploma. But, if you are on the medical staff of an accredited health facility you must do more.
Your Credentialing Committee needs to know you served a medical optometry residency, passed a written examination, and met additional requirements for ABCMO certification because it recommends all medical staff appointments, clinical privileges, and is part of the advancement and promotion process.
Credentialing Committees are required to contact ABCMO every two years to verify your board certification (VOC).
Some optometrists at medical facilities may have not yet notified their Credentialing Committee of their certification or updated their official personnel file (OPF) to include board certification.
Failing to do this is unwise as Credentialing Committees evaluate and determine their privileges, evaluations and promotions.
For example, at VA health facilities, Form SF 171 must contain your specialty, name of specialty, residency program and specialty board address because their Credentialing Committees forward this information to the Central Office committee that processes all optometrist appointments, promotions and advancements.
Be sure your personnel folder at your facility is up-to-date because Credentialing Committees are required to verify board certification by checking directly with ABCMO every two years and not by inspecting the documents on your office wall.