ABO Practical Exam:
ABO-NCLE offers Computer Simulated Skills and Knowledge Examination. The American Board of Opticianry Practical Exam (ABOP Exam) is designed as a supplement for those Opticians who have successfully completed the ABO-NCLE’s National Opticianry Certification Examination (NOCE).
Candidates for the ABOP Exam must be currently Certified by the ABO, as applicable, in order to be eligible to take the ABOP Exam. When registering for the ABOP Exam, candidates must demonstrate that they have successfully completed the NOCE, as applicable, and candidates need to use care in making sure that they register for the correct examination. ABO-NCLE reserves the right to require that you produce proof of eligibility at any time.
Exams are given in English, via computer at a Prometric testing facility; each exam has 30 questions, and you are given 1 hour to complete the exam.
**If you are applying for an ABO and/or NCLE Examination as part of a Licensing State requirement, please verify the appropriate steps with your state licensing board before registering for any specific examination. Each state has its own specific requirements, and failure to abide by those requirements may result in denial of credit for the examination, or other consequences, depending upon any licensing state’s regulations and requirements.
***New Update: We are now offering a new combined ABO Basic and ABO Practical exam in one sitting, please note that these are two separate exams. Currently, the state of Arizona and Washington has allowed the new combined exam for licensing. For registration, please click here.
Important information to note before registering for the exam:
- Please make sure to include on your exam registration profile your FULL legal name-as it appears on your government issued photo ID(e.g. driver's license, passport), a personal phone number, and a correct email address.
- You are required to wait 14 days to retake this exam and you will have three (3) attempts. After your third attempt, you will be required to wait 90 days to be eligible to retake this exam.
- If you need to complete our Disability Accommodation Form, please click HERE to download our Accommodation request information. Once you are ready to submit your form, please click HERE .
- Please make sure you review the Practical Examination Handbook for further exam policy information before registering for the exam. It will answer all of your questions about the exam.
- After you have submitted the registration fee, you will receive an email confirmation with your eligibility ID number and instructions on how to schedule your exam to pick your location, date, and time. (Make sure to check your junk/spam folder, as the email confirmation may go into those folders.)
- If you are interested in ProProctor Remote Testing, please review the user guide by clicking here. You MUST also verify that your computer is compatible with ProProctor Remote Testing. It is your RESPONSIBILITY to make sure your computer is compatible with the remote testing. Please click here to do a system check for remote testing. Also, please click here and read the user guide that matches the type of computer you will be using to take your exam. Especially, if you are planning on using a MAC computer, as it will go over the required steps on how to avoid running into any issues launching your remote exam.
- Make certain that if you are in a Licensing state, that your state has approved remote testing, before scheduling your remotely proctored exam.
- Candidate COVID-19 FAQs: Prometric has created a new, dedicated page to host COVID-19-related FAQs for candidates. This new page, linked here, can be also be found on Prometric's homepage and selecting "COVID-19 FAQ." Other test taker FAQs can be found under the "Test Takers" tab on Prometric's homepage.
Update: Starting May 1, 2022, Prometric will no longer require candidates or test center personnel to wear masks unless required to do so by building management or local government mandates. In light of recent trends and mask mandate changes around the world, along with updated guidance from leading world health organizations, Prometric will not require masks to be worn in test centers, however they will continue to allow and encourage the wearing of masks regardless of mandate or vaccination status. Thus, any candidate or staff member that prefers to wear a mask will feel comfortable doing so.
***Please be aware that registration ends on 11/15/2022 11:59PM (EST). There will be NO late registration or late fees.***
If this is your 2nd attempt in taking this exam, and you have waited 14 days, please click on this link to proceed with your registration. If it has been more than 90 days please continue with this current registration.
If this is your 3rd attempt in taking this exam, and you have waited 14 days, please click on this link to proceed with your registration.