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Frequently Asked Questions

Table of Contents

Registration

NBEO does not allow candidates to transfer registration to a different administration. If you wish to withdraw from an exam, follow the guidelines for withdrawal listed on the website. When you are ready to take the exam, you must re-register.

You must be sponsored to take Part I ABS, Part II PAM, Part III PEPS, TMOD, and ISE. Click here for more information.

If you wish to apply online but do not have a U.S. SSN, you will need to call our office to request an NBEO ID number. You will use this assigned number when applying, and for all subsequent applications. Please notify NBEO if you later receive a U.S. SSN.

No, you do not need to register for each exam separately. TMOD is embedded in Part II PAM, so you are taking both exams at the same time. You will have separate scores (one for Part II PAM and one for TMOD).

For all NBEO examinations, candidates cannot register until they receive a failing score for the previous attempt. For additional information, please refer to the Eligibility Policy.

General Exam Questions

NBEO has prepared a video for new optometry students with helpful information about NBEO and licensure exams. The transcript is available here.

You may take the exams in any order you would like if you meet eligibility requirements. In other words, you may take Part II PAM before Part I ABS as long as you are eligible to take Part II PAM. Please see the Exam Eligibility Policy here.

Each state has its own requirements. Please contact your state board for licensure requirements.

A targeted administration is the first opportunity that students have to take the exam once they become eligible. A non-targeted administration is just another opportunity for students to take the exam.

Please see the Test Accommodations Policy on the website for information about requesting ADA accommodations.

It takes approximately 20 minutes to travel from the airport to the testing center; however, this varies widely based on time of day and traffic. We recommend that you consult a mapping service to determine the appropriate time to allot for transit between the airport and your destination.

Candidates should refer to their specific airline’s recommendations regarding arrival time at the airport before a flight.

Withdrawals

For information on the NBEO Withdrawal Policy, please see the NBEO Withdrawal Policy here.

NBEO Account Information

 You can update your address by logging into your profile, making the needed adjustments, and saving the changes. Updates may be made as often as necessary. We encourage candidates to keep their profile information current.

A name change must be submitted with legal documentation supporting the requested change. Please click here to use our online form.

What to bring for NBEO Exams

 Calculators are not to be brought into the testing room at Pearson VUE testing centers or NCCTO. For the Part I ABS exam, an on-screen scientific calculator will be available. For the Part II PAM and stand-alone TMOD exams, an on-screen calculator will be available.

Scores


STUDENTS: Please be reminded that upon verification of graduation and passage of all required NBEO Parts for the selected states, NBEO will send a free cumulative score report to the state boards you selected during your final examination (5 maximum). If you would like an official score report sent to you, you will need to order a score report online and select “self.”

NON-STUDENTS: Score reports for any state board can be quickly and easily ordered online and your request will be processed within 7 business days. You can also order a copy for yourself.

Unless requested by a candidate or state board, scores are submitted to state boards only (1) after a candidate passes all NBEO Parts required by the selected state boards, and (2) after NBEO receives notice of graduation verification from the candidate’s optometry school/college.

NBEO exam scores do not expire. For exam scores of candidates who request the NBEO share such scores with certain state boards, those scores are available for the board to access through the NBEO portal during that particular administration year. Once each administration year concludes, the candidates’ exam scores will no longer be accessible to the state boards through the NBEO portal.  If the board subsequently needs a candidate’s scores, the board may contact NBEO for assistance on a case-by-case basis.

Please note: State boards may have additional requirements for keeping scores active. Please check with the state in which you are seeking licensure as to their regulations.

 NBEO automatically transmits the necessary score information to the Optometry Residency Match (ORMatch) through the ORMatch residency application process.

You will need to request a score report online. An official score report will be sent to you for distribution to ABCMO within 7 business days.

 NBEO releases scores based upon a candidate’s authorization to release to an academic institution.

The National Board of Examiners in Optometry understands how hard candidates work and prepare for exams. Therefore, we have already put into place numerous post-examination processes to ensure fairness and accuracy in scoring in all NBEO examinations. Candidates may not request a score review of any exam.

No. “Superscoring” is a practice employed on certain exams in which a candidate’s highest sub-scores across different administrations of the exam are combined into an overall score. Superscoring is not appropriate on all exams. While superscoring may be used by some colleges on college admission exams, superscoring is not typically used on professional licensure exams. Allowing superscores on the Part I ABS, Part II PAM/TMOD and Part III PEPS exams would be a modification in the way the exams are scored that would present fairness and validity concerns. Thus, it is not appropriate to allow a superscore on the Part I ABS, Part II PAM/TMOD and Part III PEPS exams.

Practice Item Databanks: Part I ABS, Part II PAM/TMOD

Part I ABS

The Part I ABS Practice Items Databank, administered by Test Run, provides Part I ABS candidates with an opportunity to take unlimited abbreviated practice exams using items that are similar to those found on the Part I ABS Examination. After completing an abbreviated practice examination, the candidate will receive a detailed score report, including a list of all questions and the candidate’s answers, with incorrect answers indicated, as well as the correct answers for items the candidate missed. Test Run also analyzes the individual’s Practice Items results and provides resulting analytics, designed to help them tailor their studying.(Please note that subscribing to and/or completing the Part I ABS Practice Items Databank does not guarantee a passing score on the Part I ABS Examination.)

The Tutorial for the Part I ABS Examination is different from the Part I ABS Practice Items Databank as the Tutorial shows candidates what to expect on test day when taking the Part I ABS Examination by computer at a Pearson Vue testing center. The Tutorial for the Part I ABS Examination can be found here.

Test Run is a proven exam-preparation provider. Many other credentialing organizations also use Test Run to help support their exam candidates.

The Part I ABS Practice Items Databank is a tool to help you prepare for your examination. The practice items are just one of many resources available, however, and should not be the only means of preparation for your examination.

The Part I ABS Practice Items Databank provides you with the ability to take abbreviated examinations with real questions that have been written for or included in previous Part I ABS Examinations. (Note that the questions included in the practice items will no longer be used in the Part I ABS Examination.)

Immediately following completion of practice items, you will receive a score report that provides visual performance feedback to help you assess your strengths and weaknesses relative to the exam content. Completing a series of practice items and reviewing your results may help you feel better prepared when you sit for the Part I ABS Examination.

In creating the Part I ABS Practice Items Databank, NBEO selected actual questions from the Part I ABS Examination databank that can no longer be used in the examination. In doing so, NBEO needed to create additional, new questions to add to the examination databank to replace those used for the Part I ABS Practice Items Databank. The fee helps to defray some of the costs associated with question development, review and approval.

The Part I ABS Practice Items Databank contains real questions taken from the NBEO Part I ABS item bank. Note that these items have now been removed from the Part I ABS item bank.

The Test Run platform works best with the current versions of Google Chrome, Firefox, and Safari. Cookies must be enabled, but pop-ups do not need to be disabled.

The online tools for both are somewhat different, though both are designed to be easy to follow.

Candidates who have registered for the Part I ABS exam may purchase a one-month subscription to the Part I ABS Practice Items Databank for $199 by clicking here after registering for the Part I ABS Examination. A one-month subscription will expire at 11:59 p.m. on the same date of the following month. For a discounted fee of $149, candidates may renew their subscription for one additional month at any time up until the date of that respective Part I ABS administration.

A candidate can only subscribe to one month of access to the Part I ABS Practice Items Databank initially. When a candidate is nearing the end of a purchased, one-month subscription, the candidate will receive an email from Test Run offering the opportunity to renew the subscription by purchasing another one-month subscription at a reduced fee.

No. The Part I ABS Practice Items Databank is only accessible to candidates who have registered for the Part I ABS Examination.

 It depends on how and when you choose to prepare for the Part I ABS Examination. You may want to consider what is best for your preparation and make your decision accordingly.

After you purchase a subscription through Test Run, you will have immediate access to the Part I ABS Practice Items Databank. You will have the ability to take practice tests as follows:

(1) As a full session (up to 185 items)
(2) By Discipline (e.g., Anatomy, Pharmacology, etc.)
(3) By major condition area (i.e., Refractive Conditions or Disease/Trauma)
(4) By specific condition area (e.g., Contact Lenses, Glaucoma, etc.)

You will have the ability to complete practice items at one of four levels by clicking on the pencil icon associated with your desired choice:

You can also choose the number of items you would like to take at a time (for each area, there is a minimum and maximum range of items to choose from). You also can either choose to have your practice item session timed or untimed.

When completing the practice items, you are able to pause your session if desired. (Note that if you are inactive for four hours, the session will time out, and you will have to start over.) You also can bookmark questions you may want to revisit during the session.

Once you have completed selected items, you will be given the opportunity to review all of your answers before submitting your answers for scoring. After you submit your answers for scoring, you will be able to see your results in the Test Run platform.

While the user experience is better on a desktop or laptop computer, the Test Run platform provides full functionality on most devices.

No. The Part I ABS Practice Items Databank questions constitute intellectual property owned exclusively by NBEO. All rights, including the copyright in these exam questions, are reserved.

Additionally, sharing your login information will interfere with Test Run’s ability to provide individualized score reports and performance feedback. Sharing your subscription with third parties is also prohibited by Test Run’s Terms & Conditions.

 It depends on what type of practice items you select to take. If you would like to take an entire session and want to time yourself to match the actual exam, then the practice session could last as long as 4 hours.

No. If you are inactive for 4 hours, however, the system will time out and you would need to restart.

No. The online system does not offer that functionality.

No. Test results are just for the individual user.

You may take as many selected practice items as you would like during the period of your subscription. Note, however, that because questions are generated randomly, you will likely see questions that you saw when you previously completed a session.

While the Part I ABS Practice Items Databank is designed to help candidates prepare for the Part I ABS Examination, use of this tool does not guarantee a passing score on any NBEO examination (including the Part I ABS examination). The practice items are just one of many resources available and should not be the only means of preparation for the Part I ABS examination.

No. Please note that all subscription sales are final. Subscription fees paid to Test Run are nonrefundable.

For questions or technical assistance, please contact NBEO at 800-969-EXAM or nbeo@optometry.org.

Part II PAM/TMOD

The Part II PAM/TMOD Practice Databank, administered by Test Run, provides candidates with an opportunity to take unlimited abbreviated practice exams using items that are similar to those found on the Part II PAM/TMOD Examination. After completing an abbreviated practice examination, the candidate will receive a detailed score report, including a list of all questions and the candidate’s answers, with incorrect answers indicated, as well as the correct answers for items the candidate missed. Test Run also analyzes the individual’s practice results and provides analytics, designed to help the candidate tailor their studying. (Please note that subscribing to and/or completing the Part II PAM/TMOD Practice Databank does not guarantee a passing score on the Part II PAM/TMOD Examination.)

The Tutorial for the Part II PAM/TMOD Examination is different from the Part II PAM/TMOD Practice Databank as the Tutorial shows candidates what to expect on test day when taking the Part II PAM/TMOD Examination by computer at a Pearson Vue testing center. The Tutorial for the Part II PAM/TMOD Examination can be found here.

Test Run is a proven exam-preparation provider. Many other credentialing organizations also use Test Run to help support their exam candidates.

The Part II PAM/TMOD Practice Databank is a tool to help you prepare for your examination. The practice databank is just one of many resources available, however, and should not be the only means of preparation for your examination. The Part II PAM/TMOD Practice Databank provides you with the ability to take abbreviated examinations with real questions that have been written for or included in previous Part II PAM/TMOD Examinations. (Note that the questions included in the practice databank will no longer be used in the Part II PAM/TMOD Examination.) Immediately following completion of practice items, you will receive a score report that provides visual performance feedback to help you assess your strengths and weaknesses relative to the exam content.

In creating the Part II PAM/TMOD Practice Databank, NBEO selected actual questions from the Part II PAM/TMOD Examination databank that can no longer be used in the examination. In doing so, NBEO needed to create additional, new questions to add to the examination databank to replace those used for the Part II PAM/TMOD Practice Databank. The fee helps to defray some of the costs associated with question development, review, and approval.

The Part II PAM/TMOD Practice Databank contains real questions taken from the NBEO Part II PAM/TMOD item bank. Most of the questions have been used on past Part II PAM/TMOD exams. Note that these items have now been removed from the Part II PAM/TMOD item bank.

The Test Run platform for the Part II PAM/TMOD Practice Databank works best with the current versions of Google Chrome, Firefox, and Safari. Cookies must be enabled, but pop-ups do not need to be disabled since there are no pop-ups in the platform.

The online tools for the Part II PAM/TMOD Practice Databank and the Part II PAM/TMOD examination are somewhat different, but both are easy to follow. Please note that the ability to enlarge images is included on the Test Run platform, but this functionality is NOT available on the actual exam at Pearson VUE. In addition, an abbreviation list will not be provided on the Test Run platform but will be available on the actual exam. You may view a sample abbreviation list on the NBEO website: Part II PAM/TMOD Abbreviation List.

Candidates who have registered for the Part II PAM/TMOD exam may purchase a one-month subscription to the Part II PAM/TMOD Practice Databank for $199 by clicking here. A one-month subscription will expire at 11:59 p.m. on the same date of the following month. For a discounted fee of $149, candidates may renew their subscription for one additional month at any time up until the date of the next Part II PAM/TMOD administration.

A candidate can only subscribe to one month of access to the Part II PAM/TMOD Practice Databank initially. When a candidate is nearing the end of a purchased, one-month subscription, the candidate will receive an email from Test Run offering the opportunity to renew the subscription by purchasing another one-month subscription at a reduced fee.

It depends on how and when you choose to prepare for the Part II PAM/TMOD Examination. You may want to consider what may be best for your preparation and make your decision accordingly.

After you purchase a subscription through Test Run, you will have immediate access to the Part II PAM/TMOD Practice Databank. You will have the ability to take practice tests as follows:

As an approximate session (up to 185 items) – Please note than an actual Part II PAM session on testing day is 3.5 hours in length.

  1. By content area (i.e., Refractive or Disease/Trauma)
  2. By specific condition area (e.g., Contact Lenses, Glaucoma)
  3. TMOD items – this selection will be available in the Select Your Exam dropdown. Please note that the items contained within the TMOD section are also included in the PAM section, i.e., they are not a unique set of items.

You will have the ability to complete practice items at one of four levels by clicking on the pencil icon associated with your desired choice:

You also can either choose to have your practice item session timed or untimed.

When completing the practice items, you are able to pause your session if desired. (Note that if you are inactive for four hours, the session will time out, and you will have to start over.) You also can bookmark questions you may want to revisit during the session.

Once you have completed selected items, you will be given the opportunity to review all of your answers before submitting your answers for scoring. After you submit your answers for scoring, you will be able to see your results in the Test Run platform.

While the user experience is better on a desktop or laptop computer, the Test Run platform provides full functionality on most devices.

No. The Part II PAM/TMOD Practice Databank questions (including cases and images) constitute intellectual property owned exclusively by NBEO. All rights, including the copyright in these exam questions, are reserved.

Additionally, sharing your login information will interfere with Test Run’s ability to provide individualized score reports and performance feedback. Sharing your subscription with third parties is also prohibited by Test Run’s Terms & Conditions.

No. If you are inactive for 4 hours, however, the system will time out and you would need to restart.

No. The online system does not offer that functionality.

No. Test results are just for the individual user.

You may take as many selected practice items as you would like during the period of your subscription. Note, however, that because questions are generated randomly, you will likely see questions that you saw when you previously completed a session.

While the Part II PAM/TMOD Practice Databank is designed to help candidates prepare for the Part II PAM/TMOD Examination, use of this tool does not guarantee a passing score on any NBEO examination (including the Part II PAM/TMOD examination). The Part II PAM/TMOD Practice Databank is just one of many resources available and should not be the only means of preparation for the Part II PAM/TMOD examination.

No. Please note that all subscription sales are final. Subscription fees paid to Test Run are nonrefundable.

For questions or technical assistance, please contact NBEO at 800-969-EXAM or nbeo@optometry.org.

Part III PEPS®

For the August 2026 – May 2027 Administration: Registration opens on March 24, 2026, at 9:00 p.m. Eastern Time.

Candidates are not allowed six separate attempts on each of the Part III CSE and Part III PEPS examinations; rather an attempt on either the Part III CSE or the Part III PEPS will be counted toward the combined number of six total attempts allowed on the Part III examination. Please see the Six Time Limit Policy for additional information.

No, NBEO provides all the equipment needed for NCCTO examinations. The orientation room contains the same equipment used during Part III PEPS, ISE and LSPE. Candidates are not permitted to use equipment other than NBEO-supplied equipment without a previously approved ADA request.

Candidates will have time in the orientation room after checking in and before the start of the examination. The orientation room contains the same equipment used in the examination. Candidates are encouraged to become familiar with the equipment during orientation.

Candidates should plan to be at the testing center for approximately seven (7) hours for their Part III PEPS examination.

Candidates are advised to review the score release schedule.

 Because scores take 6-8 weeks to process, NBEO recommends testing before January. January scores are released in the first full week in March, which may occur after Optometry Residency Match Day. Please plan accordingly.

 If a retake is needed, a candidate must retake the entire Part III PEPS exam. The skills and encounters sections are not administered separately.

A candidate who has already passed the Part III examination may only retake that examination for licensure purposes if NBEO either receives a written request from a state licensure board of optometry asking that you be allowed to retake the exam for licensure purposes or receives a signed and notarized affidavit from you stating that you need to retake the exam for licensure purposes, and grants you an exception under special circumstances, in accordance with the NBEO Exam Eligibility Policy. Candidates choosing to proceed by affidavit should use this form.

NCCTO Testing (PEPS, LSPE, ISE)

The Exam Calendar provides registration dates and deadlines. Please click below to access the Exam Calendar for the applicable administration year.

Click here for the 2026 Exam Calendar
Click here for the 2027 Exam Calendar

Please plan your schedule with the knowledge that the testing slots book out months in advance.

Please see the NBEO Exam Eligibility Policy.

NCCTO administers multiple exams, including Part III PEPS, ISE, and LSPE. Each exam is offered on certain days and times; however, not all are offered daily. Candidates who wish to take multiple exams should check the exam calendar and choose the date(s) that list the exam they want to register for. It is unlikely LSPE and Part III PEPS could be taken on the same day; however, it may be possible to the ISE and Part III PEPS on the same day. LSPE and Part III PEPS can be taken on back-to-back days to minimize travel time.

Candidates will have time in the orientation room after checking in and before the start of the examination. The orientation room contains the same equipment used in the examination. Candidates are encouraged to become familiar with the equipment during orientation.

For all NBEO examinations, candidates cannot register until they receive a failing score for the previous attempt. For additional information, please refer to the eligibility policy.

Any request to reschedule an exam date within 30 days of the scheduled exam will be considered a withdrawal. Please see the NBEO Withdrawal Policy here.

Call 1.800.969.EXAM and press option 2. If no one answers, please leave a message. Also, email NCCTO@optometry.org. Someone will contact you as soon as possible.

Please see the NBEO Withdrawal Policy.

Please see the NBEO Withdrawal Policy.

On occasion, additional exam sessions can be opened. Additional sessions, cannot be guaranteed and are dependent upon schedules and resources. You can email NCCTO@optometry.org with the dates you are requesting to take the exam to see if anything can be opened.

No. The test center is not accessible to candidates until their scheduled exam date and time. Candidates will have access to the equipment during orientation. All Part III PEPS and ISE equipment is available in the orientation room. Additionally, NCCTO has posted a list of the equipment and photos to help candidates familiarize themselves with the exam room and equipment.

For all NCCTO exams, Candidates should arrive at the testing center on the date and time listed on their registration. The earliest candidates should arrive at the test center is 15 minutes before their exam time.

No. Luggage may not be stored in the testing center. Please refer to the candidate guide for more information.

Test Accommodations

  • Completed online Request for Test Accommodations Form.
  • Written disability documentation from an appropriate health care professional (within the last twelve months). Reports from qualified professionals must be typewritten on letterhead, signed, dated, include the professionals’ qualifications, substantiate the requested accommodations, and demonstrate the candidate’s functional limitations. Supporting documentation should follow the Document Guidelines for Psychoeducational Evaluations found on the NBEO website, if applicable.
  • Letter from candidate’s optometry school indicating the accommodations they are receiving in optometry school and the month/year those accommodations began.
  • OAT or other standardized test (e.g. GRE, MCAT, DAT) scores and documentation of accommodations received during testing, if applicable.
  • Personal statement that explains why the candidate is requesting accommodations and provides background information about their disability and accommodations history.

All documentation should be submitted together, in a single PDF file to accommodations@optometry.org.

All accommodation requests are reviewed on a case-by-case basis in accordance with the NBEO Test Accommodations Policy. The accommodations department can provide further details only after each request is reviewed. The following does not represent an exhaustive list of accommodations candidates may request but provides general categories that candidates may use.

  • Extended time
  • Separate room
  • Breaks during testing
  • Two-day testing
  • Snacks/beverage
  • Diabetes management supplies
  • Nursing mother accommodation

No, NBEO does not offer stop-the-clock breaks. Candidates may request extra time on the exam to offset any time loss during frequent or extended breaks.

Candidates will have time in the orientation room after checking in and before the start of the examination. The orientation room contains the same equipment used in the examination. Candidates are encouraged to become familiar with the equipment during orientation.

Completed accommodation requests should be submitted 60 days prior to the first day of exam administration for computer-based exams at Pearson® and 60 days prior to a candidate’s intended test date for Part III PEPS®, ISE®, and LSPE®.

Candidates should allow up to 4 weeks for their request to be reviewed. Candidates will receive a confirmation email when their request is received.

The camera is mounted on the left ocular of the slit lamps. Candidates who are amblyopic or monocular are advised to use the better eye for observing through the left ocular of the slit lamp. This may involve candidates altering their position at the slit lamp so that they can look through the left ocular using their right eye or wearing a patch on their right eye. Candidates may do so without test accommodations.

Candidates should submit a request form and supporting documentation to be considered for the nursing mother accommodation. Each Pearson site has a private area where a candidate may pump. A chair, table, and electrical outlet are available in the private area on a first-come, first serve basis. Candidates should note that there is no refrigeration guaranteed at Pearson sites and should bring everything that is needed in a nursing bag. At the NCCTO®, candidates may request approval for refrigeration access and a private area for pumping by emailing accommodations@optometry.org.

NBEO cannot guarantee that candidates will test at their preferred site for exams administered at Pearson locations. A candidate’s test location may change based on the approved accommodations and availability of the Pearson test center.

Diabetic candidates should submit a request for test accommodations if they need extra time on the exam to manage their diabetes or need to take an external remote-control continuous glucose monitoring device into the exam room. Candidates should submit a request form and supporting documentation to accommodations@optometry.org.