James Vaught, OD.

ST. LOUIS—Eligible optometrists with U.S. Armed Forces service will now be able to receive G.I. Bill reimbursement for the American Board of Optometry’s (ABO) Board Certification examination fee, according to an ABO statement last week. This pertains to active service members, current reservists or those individuals with prior military service.

“In the interest of high-quality patient care, the American Board of Optometry strives to make its voluntary board certification program as relevant and accessible as possible for qualified optometrists,” said ABO board chairman, James Vaught, OD. “We are very pleased to inform ODs who’ve served our country that they now can apply for this valuable reimbursement benefit under the G.I. Bill. We think it will provide an important additional incentive for them to consider American Board of Optometry Board Certification.”

The current board certification examination fee is $1,500. Service-member ODs can be reimbursed for that amount upon sitting for the examination, which is offered each January and July at Prometric Testing Centers. Details will be available soon about the process eligible optometrists can use to apply for reimbursement through the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs. The G.I. Bill, originally passed in 1944, established higher education funding assistance for individuals serving in the U.S. military.