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Training Requirements

For information about Ophthalmology as a career choice, visit the Envision Ophthalmology section on the website of the American Academy of Ophthalmology.

Certification of INDIVIDUALS trained in Ophthalmology is provided by the American Board of Ophthalmology (ABO). To be eligible for examination you must have satisfactorily completed 12 months of broad clinical training (PGY-1) and a formal residency training program in Ophthalmology of at least 36 months (some programs require 48 months). All training must be in accredited programs in the U.S. or in Canada. It is possible that a State Licensing Board will give you credit for foreign training, whereas the ABO will not. You should check with the ABO about this before you enter the match or start your training.

The Board Certification process must be completed not more than 6 years after your training. All Certificates require completion of a designated renewal program every 10 years. For more detailed information visit the American Board of Ophthalmology's website at www.abop.org.

Accreditation of Ophthalmology training PROGRAMS is provided by the Accreditation Council for Graduate Medical Education (ACGME). The ACGME sets general requirements for all residency training programs as well as special requirement and prerequisite information for each specialty. These requirements are enforced by the various Residency Review Committees (RRC). For additional information visit www.acgme.org.

Rules for foreign medical graduates may vary from year to year and from state to state. Be sure to get current information.