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Requirements
In order to become Board Certified, an ophthalmologist must complete the following requirements:
Training
- Medical School: All applicants must have graduated from an allopathic or osteopathic medical school. Applicants who are graduates of International Medical Schools are also required to have a certificate from the Educational Commission for Foreign Medical Graduates
(ECFMG).
- One (1) year of internship: All applicants, both graduates of allopathic and osteopathic medical schools, entering ophthalmology training programs must complete a post-graduate clinical year (PGY-1) in a program in the United States accredited by the
Accreditation Council for Graduate Medical Education
or a program in Canada approved by the appropriate accrediting body in Canada.
The PGY-1 must be comprised of training in which the resident is primarily responsible for patient care in fields such as internal medicine, neurology, pediatrics, surgery, family practice, or emergency medicine. As a minimum, six months of this year must consist of a broad experience in direct patient care.
- Three to four years in a residency program: In addition to a PGY-1, all applicants must satisfactorily complete an entire formal graduated residency training program in ophthalmology of at least 36 months duration (PGY-4 or higher) in either the United States accredited by the
Accreditation Council for Graduate Medical Education, or in Canada accredited by the
Royal College of Physicians and Surgeons of
Canada.
- Upon application for Board certification: The Board verifies satisfactory completion of all training requirements. Only those applicants who have completed their PGY-1 and entire ophthalmology training program, PGY-4 or higher, by August 1 are eligible to apply for the Board’s Written Qualifying Examination given in the spring of the following year.
- Interim Evaluation Forms Required for Transferring Residents: When a resident's training has been gained in more than one residency program, an interim evaluation must be completed by the first program. The first program may not be able to verify all competencies. It is the responsibility of the second program to obtain the interim evaluation from the first program. The second program in its Satisfactory Completion document, must evaluate all competencies, taking into account any deficiencies noted in the interim evaluation by the preceding program(s). Click here to download the Interim Evaluation Form.
Medical Licensure
- Graduates of United States and Canadian Medical Schools: Applicants for Board Certification must hold a valid and unrestricted license(s) to practice medicine in the United States, its territories or Canadian province in which the applicant's practice of medicine is regularly conducted and in each other place in which the person practices or has practiced medicine and has an unexpired license. Applicants must notify the Board of any action taken by a state medical licensing board within 60 days of such action.
Additionally, the American Board of Medical Specialties, in conjunction with the Federation of State Medical Licensing Boards, provides all Boards with disciplinary action status on all candidates and
diplomates.
Practice Pledge
- All applicants are required to agree to a pledge upon application stating their commitment to provide ophthalmic services with compassion, respect for human dignity, and integrity.
The information on this web page is meant to serve as a synopsis of the requirements and processes necessary to become Board certified. For complete information about requirements and policy for Board certification, download the ABO Certification Brochure.
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