ON BOARD Volume I 2026

A  publication of the
American Board of Optometry

A Word From Our Chair

As we begin a new year, it’s the perfect moment to reaffirm our collective commitment to elevating the profession of optometry—and one of the most meaningful ways to do that is by putting ABO board certification front and center.

Diplomates play a critical role in helping patients, employers, and communities understand the value that board certification represents.

Diplomate Survey Reveals Positive Marks for Board Certification and Need for Increased Awareness

In November 2025, Diplomates were invited to participate in a survey exploring perceptions of board certification and maintenance of certification. The survey examined the value of the credential, how board certification is communicated to the public, and how it is perceived within the profession and by the general public.

CAP Assessments: Determining the Passing Score

“Why do I need to get 21 questions correct to pass this CAP assessment when I only needed 20 correct questions on the last CAP assessment?”  This is a question that we hear frequently from our Diplomates.

Unlike tests that you took during school, which were norm-referenced assessments, certification or licensure exams are criterion-referenced assessments.

Diplomate Spotlight, Dr. Meghan Elkins

For Dr. Meghan Elkins, Board certification wasn’t a means to achieve status or higher pay, but rather the next logical step in her career to remind herself that she was still the life-long learner she committed to being in optometry school. And while she found the initial certification exam to be a challenge, she would strongly encourage her colleagues to rise to that challenge and earn their board certification!

ABO Director, Dr. Mark Eltis Elected to 4th Term as President of the College of Optometrists of Ontario

Dr. Mark Eltis has been re‑elected to a fourth term as President of the College of Optometrists of Ontario, receiving 76% of the Council vote. The College, which has regulated optometry in Ontario for over a century, serves as the regulatory authority in Canada’s largest province by population.

By the Numbers: Ametropia / Ophthalmic Optics CAP Summary

Final results are now available for the Winter 2025 CAP assessment.

Pass/fail cut point: 84% (21/25 questions)

Passing rate: 90.0%

Average score: 90.4% (22.6/25 questions correct)

News & Events

Winter Webinar: Oral Pharmaceuticals in Eye Care presented by Greg Caldwell, OD. Wednesday February 4, 2026, from 7:00 – 9:00 pm CT. This course will focus on recent advances in pharmaceuticals relevant to optometric patient care, covering their indications for use, mechanisms of action, and potential ocular side effects. 

AFOS Meeting: Monday February 23 – Tuesday February 24, 2026. Come visit ABO in the exhibit hall at AFOS in Atlanta, GA! Learn about board certification and special offers for Federal Service optometrists.