NBEO

Overview

The National Board of Examiners in Optometry (NBEO) runs the national examinations used in the United States as part of optometry licensure. The core sequence has three parts: Part I ABS (Applied Basic Science), Part II PAM (Patient Assessment and Management) with the related TMOD exam, and Part III PEPS (Patient Encounters and Performance Skills). NBEO also offers supplementary exams: ISE (Injection Skills Examination), LSPE (Laser and Surgical Procedures Examination), OSLE (a state law exam) and ACMO (Advanced Competence in Medical Optometry).

Who can apply

NBEO accepts three kinds of candidates.

• Student candidates must be enrolled at an optometry programme accredited by the Accreditation Council on Optometric Education (ACOE), including Accredited, Accredited with Conditions or Preliminary Approval status. Part I ABS can be taken from March of the third professional year. Part II PAM/TMOD, Part III PEPS, ISE and LSPE are open in the graduation year.

• Graduate candidates from ACOE programmes with Accredited or Accredited with Conditions status can sit all exams.

• Sponsored candidates who fit neither group need sponsorship from a state licensure board or an ACOE-accredited optometric programme.

Each exam can be attempted six times. After that, a candidate must petition the NBEO Board with a remediation plan from a sponsor, a written justification and a non-refundable $300 fee. If a seventh attempt is approved and fails, no further petitions are allowed.

Exam pattern

Part I ABS

Part II PAM and TMOD

NBEO describes this part as testing clinical decision-making through patient scenarios and diagnostic reasoning. TMOD is a separate, lower-priced exam listed alongside it. The pages read for this file did not give item counts or timings for Part II, so check the NBEO site for the format.

Part III PEPS

PEPS is the final core exam. It uses simulated-live patient encounters to test case analysis, critical thinking and essential clinical skills. Performance is assessed on separate forms for anterior segment skills, posterior segment skills and the patient encounter, plus a scoring matrix for communication and professionalism. Testing takes place at NBEO's own facility, the NCCTO in Charlotte, North Carolina, for 2026 and 2027.

Syllabus

Part I ABS covers the biomedical science needed for safe independent optometric practice, including anatomy, physiology, pathology, pharmacology and optics. NBEO publishes content outlines organised by condition and by discipline. Part III has published blueprints, a candidate guide and sample encounter notes.

Important dates

Part I ABS, upcoming sessions on the 2026-2027 calendar (the August 2026 session has already taken place):

Part II PAM/TMOD:

ABS score release dates on the calendar are 7 May 2027 and 8 October 2027. PAM/TMOD scores are due on 22 January 2027, 28 May 2027 and 28 January 2028.

Part III PEPS, ISE and LSPE use open registration, which began on 24 March 2026. Registration closes between 7 and 30 days before the exam, and a full-refund withdrawal must be made 30 days before. ACMO is held in June each year; the 2026 scores were due 24 July 2026 and the 2027 scores are due 23 July 2027.

Fees

NBEO fees effective August 2026:

A late registration fee of $400 applies. It and the state law exam fee are non-refundable, and late registrants are not guaranteed a seat at Pearson VUE.

How to apply

Register through the NBEO registration portal, linked from the NBEO website, before the deadline for your session. Choose your candidate type and confirm that you meet its eligibility rules first.

After the exam

Scores are released on the dates in the NBEO calendar. A candidate who passes an entry-into-the-profession exam cannot retake it unless NBEO receives a written request from a state board, or a notarised affidavit, confirming that retaking is needed for licensure.

FAQs