Please note that the terms “member” and “registrant” are used interchangeably throughout our website

Pre-Registration – NBEO Sponsorship Policy

Effective April 17, 2020 and updated March 7, 2025

Please note that the NBEO Sponsorship Policy is no longer applicable unless you are an internationally trained candidate who was approved by the College to challenge the National Board of Examiners in Optometry (NBEO) examination before March 7, 2025.

In order for the College to sponsor an internationally trained candidate to challenge the National Board of Examiners in Optometry (NBEO) examination, the candidate must meet the following criteria:

  1. Undergo an assessment of their existing credentials and be deemed substantially equivalent to an optometry degree from the University of Waterloo School of Optometry and Vision Science by the Federation of Optometric Regulatory Authorities of Canada’s (FORAC) Canadian Optometric Evaluation Committee; and
  2. Satisfy one of the following:
    • Score a Level I on the Internationally Graduated Optometrist Evaluating Exam (IGOEE) and thereby not be required to complete a bridging program; or
    • Score a Level II on the IGOEE and successfully complete an approved optometric bridging program.