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The National Board of Examiners in Optometry (NBEO) administers the rigorous, three-part examination sequence required for optometry licensure in the United States and several other jurisdictions.
This exam sequence is designed exclusively for students and graduates of accredited schools and colleges of optometry.
Its primary purpose is to assess whether candidates possess the essential knowledge, clinical skills, and judgment necessary to practice optometry safely and competently.
Successfully passing all parts of the NBEO is a critical milestone, representing the transition from student to licensed healthcare professional.
What the Course Entails and Exam Details
NBEO preparation does not involve a traditional single
"course" but rather a comprehensive synthesis of four years of
optometric education, often supplemented by targeted NBEO practice tests.
The exam series, and the corresponding preparation, is
structured into three distinct parts, each covering essential pillars of
optometric practice.
Part I, Applied Basic Science (ABS), focuses foundational
knowledge, covering topics such as human anatomy and physiology, biochemistry,
genetics, microbiology, pathology, optics (geometric, physical, and
ophthalmic), visual science, and pharmacology.
Part II, Patient Assessment and Management (PAM),
transitions into clinical application, requiring candidates to synthesize
clinical data to make differential diagnoses and formulate management plans
across a wide range of ocular and systemic conditions.
Part III, Clinical Skills (CSE), is a hands-on, practical
examination assessing a candidate’s ability to perform essential clinical
techniques (e.g., binocular indirect ophthalmoscopy, biomicroscopy, and
tonometry) with high proficiency.
Preparation therefore demands a deep dive into didactic
material, extensive review of clinical case studies, and hands-on practice of
technical skills.
What to Expect in
the Final Exam
The full NBEO examination process involves multiple formats
spread across its three parts.
Parts I (Applied Basic Science) and Part II (Patient
Assessment and Management) are computer-based examinations comprised primarily
of multiple-choice questions and clinical case scenarios.
Part I (ABS) is typically the longest, often a two-day event
consisting of several hundred items.
Part II (PAM) is generally shorter than Part I but focuses
heavily on high-level clinical decision-making.
Part III (Clinical Skills) is significantly different,
requiring candidates to travel to the dedicated NBEO National Center for
Clinical Skills Assessment (NCCSA) in Charlotte, North Carolina.
During Part III, candidates perform specific clinical
techniques on standardized patients and are evaluated by examiners on their
technical proficiency, interpersonal skills, and professionalism.
The NBEO utilizes a scaled scoring system (ranging from 100
to 900 for computer-based parts), and the specific passing score is set by the
Board to reflect the minimum standard of competence required for entry-level
practice.
How to Study and
Exam Centers
Effective preparation for the NBEO requires an integrated
strategy that balances foundational review with active test-taking practice.
A primary strategy is to utilize comprehensive NBEO practice
tests and review courses, which simulate the actual exam format and help
identify specific knowledge gaps.
Establish a structured study schedule that allocates
dedicated time for reviewing key didactic concepts in anatomy, physiology, and
pharmacology, especially for Part I.
For Part II (PAM), practice working through numerous
clinical case studies and differential diagnosis trees to refine clinical
judgment and management planning.
For Part III (Clinical Skills), hands-on practice is
irreplaceable; students must repeatedly perform all required skills in a mock
exam setting until they are efficient and confident.
Regarding locations, the computer-based Part I and Part II
exams are administered at Pearson VUE testing centers throughout the United
States.
Conversely, the practical Part III examination is
administered exclusively at a single location: the NBEO National Center for
Clinical Skills Assessment (NCCSA) in Charlotte, North Carolina.
Job Opportunities from the Course
Successfully navigating the NBEO examination process is the
master key that unlocks nearly all professional opportunities within the field
of optometry.
Passing the NBEO is the foundational requirement for state
licensure, enabling you to practice as a licensed Optometric Physician or
Doctor of Optometry (OD).
This credential opens doors to a wide array of career paths
and employment models:
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