Certification Renewal/Reinstatement

Certification Renewal

All ABO and NCLE certifications are for three (3) years. Continuing education credits (CECs) must be earned within the three year certification period and may not be accumulated and carried over from one period to another. All CECs and renewal fees are due on or before your expiration date.

Certification Reinstatement

If you fail to complete the requirements on time, you may reinstate your Certificate with an applicable fee, if you are currently licensed in a state that requires continuing education, or, if you are in a non-licensed state or a state that does not require continuing education, if you have earned the required number of approved CECs within each three year Maintenance Period since the commencement of your last active Certification.  The application for reinstatement is available here. 

Continuing Education Renewal Requirements:

  • ABO Certified: Send in 12 ABO approved CECs (up to 3 may be NCLE approved)
    and the $85 fee.
  • NCLE Certified: Send in 18 NCLE approved CECs (up to 6 may be ABO approved)
    and the $85 fee.
  • ABO and NCLE Certified: Send in 21 CECs (9 ABO approved and 12 NCLE approved)
    plus the $170 fee.

Acceptable Continuing Education Credit:

For ABO:

  • Spectacle related courses approved by ABO with an assigned course number.
  • Advanced certification prerequisite courses (ABO or NCLE).

For NCLE:

  • Contact lens related courses approved by NCLE with an assigned course number.
  • Advanced certification prerequisite courses (ABO or NCLE).

Contact lens related courses approved by NCLE with an assigned course number. Advanced certification prerequisite courses (ABO or NCLE).

Alternate Renewal Methods:

  • New ABO: You may submit proof of a current license in a licensing state requiring Continuing Education. 
  • New NCLE: You may submit proof of a current license in a licensing state requiring Continuing Education. 

 

Renew or Reinstate:

   
Online at www.abo-ncle.org or

Send your CECs and renewal/reinstatement fees to:

ABO-NCLE
P. O. Box 79228
Baltimore, MD 21279-0228

Be sure to include your name, address and certificate number.

Questions?  Send an e-mail to mail@abo-ncle.org