How to Check That an Ophthalmologist Doctor is Board Certified

An ophthalmologist is a doctor that cares for the eyes and vision. Board certification by the American Board of Ophthalmology shows that a doctor has passed a written examination after four or five years of specialized training in ophthalmology. Checking to see if an ophthalmologist has obtained board certification is an easy process.

Instructions

Check on an ophthalmologist's board certification

• 1

  Contact the American Board of Medical Specialties, which is the governing organization for all of the medical specialty boards in the United States. The ABMS maintains a tool on its website that allows patients to verify board certification for any doctor in any specialty, after completing a free registration process. You may also call the ABMS at 1-866-ASK-ABMS (275-2267).

• 2

  Contact the American Board of Ophthalmology. The ABO is the certifying body for ophthalmologists and can verify board certification by phone, postal mail or email.

• 3

  Visit your nearest local, regional or medical library and check a reference book entitled "The Official American Board of Medical Specialties Directory of Board Certified Medical Specialists," which is a regularly-updated book published by Marquis Who's Who that lists all of the doctors who have received board certification in the United States.