AOA passes board certification

WASHINGTON, D.C. — After a long debate and a close vote here at Optometry's Meeting Friday, the American Optometric Association House of Delegates passed a resolution to move forward with board certification for optometry.

Specifically, the motion, which passed with a vote of 1,126 to 887, serves as an endorsement of the concept of general board certification and maintenance of certification for optometry and authorizes the AOA's participation in the development of the American Board of Optometry.

The board will include one public member; two members from the AOA; and one each from the American Academy of Optometry (AAO), the Association of Regulatory Boards of Optometry (ARBO) and the Association of Schools and Colleges of Optometry (ASCO). An additional member who is an optometrist licensed less than 5 years will be nominated by the American Optometric Student Association (AOSA).

At a press conference following the House of Delegates vote, incoming president Randolph E. Brooks, OD, said that ASCO, AOSA, AAO and ARBO have issued supportive statements. "The AAO hasn't met yet, but we expect them to move positive on this. The academy said they may or may not take a vote.

"It was clear from the beginning that the AOA's support would be crucial in getting this off the ground," he added.

During the 6 hours of discussion and debate, a number of amendments were posed and two were passed. The maximum number of Experience in Practice points was increased from 75 to 150, equal to 5 points (instead of 3) per year of active licensure.

In addition, fellowship in the College of Optometrists in Vision Development will now be worth 50 points toward initial board certification, just as fellowship in the American Academy of Optometry will be.