Optometrist Licensure Board Exam: Application Requirements, Coverage, and Schedule

If you want to learn more about what it takes to complete the Optometrist Licensure Board Exam and want to earn that license, you’ve come to the right place.

From the basic requirements to the schedule, we’ll go over everything you need to know about the board exam in this post. That being said, if you’re intrigued and want to learn more, keep reading.

What is an Optometrist?

Optometrists are medical providers who offer primary eye services, which include everything from vision testing and correction to the diagnosis, treatment, and control of visual improvements. An optometrist is not a doctor of medicine. An optometrist earns a six-year doctor of optometry (OD) degree, followed by three years or more of college. They are qualified to practice optometry, which entails doing eye examinations and vision checks, administering and dispensing correction lenses, identifying eye defects, and prescribing medicines for certain eye disorders.

What are the Optometrist Licensure Exams?

Except for the Philippine bar examination, the Professional Regulation Committee (PRC) is the official government body in charge of all national licensing exams. It is in charge of administering the Optometrist Licensure Examinations regularly.

To take the Optometrist Licensure Tests, candidates must satisfy the criteria specified in the following section.

Qualifying applicants and soon-to-be practitioners must meet these specific application requirements before taking the licensing test to uphold the practice’s integrity.

Requirements for the Optometrist Board Examinations

All aspiring professional Optometrists must be a graduate of the six-year course, Doctor of Optometry. After which, they must present the following requirements upon application:

NSO / PSA Birth Certificate
Transcript of Records with scanned picture and remarks “For Board Examination Purposes.”
NSO / PSA Marriage Contract (for married female applicants)
Payment:
Php 1,300.00 – complete application fee (written & practical)
Php 900.00 – Written Only
Php 400.00 – Practical Only

Take note: A REFRESHER course is part of the requirements after three (3) failures of the licensure exam.

The refresher course is an intensive training program consisting of coaching, exercises, and pre-board examinations designed to polish your abilities and boost your confidence before the board test.

Optometrist Licensure Exam Application Process

The PRC LERIS web portal has a simple digital process for each initial application for the license examination, making it very easy for any applicant to arrange an appointment. The PRC strongly advises all graduates to double-check their online applications before sending their documentary requirements to any regional or PRC satellite office.

If you cannot register due to procedural confusion, our step-by-step approach will assist you in completing your registration; however, if you are familiar with the process, go to the PRC LERIS website for immediate registration.

Optometrist Board Exam Coverage

The Board Examination for Optometrists includes both a written and a practical exam as provided and detailed by the Optometry Board. We will cover what you will need to prepare for before taking these exams:

Written examination

General Anatomy and Ocular Anatomy

A. Gross Anatomy

Thorax
Lungs (lobes; root structures; pleura, broncho-pulmonary segments; bronchial tree)
Pulmonary circulation
Heart (surfaces; coronary circulation; pericardium, chambers; valves; conduction system)
Superior mediastinum (great vessels; trachea; esophagus vagus and phrenic nerves)

B. Abdomen

Liver
Accessory digestive organs (gall bladder, pancreas)
Other internal organs (spleen; kidney; suprarenal gland)

C. Head and Neck

Skull (bones; sutures; fossae; foramina; cranial fossae; tempo-mandibular joint)
Superficial and deep arteries, veins, and lymphatics
Muscles of facila expression and mastication
Muscles of the neck (platysma, sternocleidomastoid, trapezius)
Peripheral cranial nerve distributions
Cervical triangles and their contents; root of the neck
Salivary glands
Nose (framework; cavities; contents)
Para-nasal sinuses and their relations to the orbit and orbital contents
Ear (outer ear; the middle ear; walls; muscles; inner ear)
Dural Venous sinuses

D. Systems of the Body

Endocrine
Reproductive
Skeletal
Respiratory
Nervous
Muscular
Circulatory
Excretory
Digestive

E. Anatomy of the eye, ocular adnexa, and visual pathway

Orbit
Extraocular muscles
Blood Supply
Ocular and Orbital Nerves
Eyelid
Eyebrow (Structure and Function)
Conjunctiva
Lacrimal System
Cornea
Sclera
Anterior Chamber and Angle
Iris
Pupil
Posterior Chamber
Ciliary Body
Lens, Zonule
Choroid
Vitreous
Retina
Optic Nerve
Visual Pathway
Eyelid
Lacrimal Apparatus
Tears
Intraocular Pressure
Aqueous
Lens

General Pathology

A. Inflammation and Repair

Vascular and cellular changes in acute inflammation
Causes of histological changes in chronic inflammation
Causes and features of granulomatous inflammation
Resolution of acute and chronic inflammation
Events and local factors affecting wound healing and repair
Systemic factors affecting the rate of wound healing

B. Host defenses and responses to infection

PMN, macrophage, and eosinophil function
Chemotaxis, phagocytosis, and bactericidal activities of these cells
Role of antibody in phagocytosis, and destruction of microorganisms

C. Cellular Disease

Cell injury
Morphologic changes associated with cell injury or death

D. Neoplasia

Classification of neoplasms
Cause of neoplasms (viral, chemical, radiation)
Differences between benign and malignant tumors

E. The hematopoietic and lymphoid system

Disorders of RBC, WBC (non-neoplastic)
Neoplastic disorders of WBC-leukemias
Non-neoplastic disorders of lymph nodes
Neoplastic disorders of lymph nodes

F. Respiratory system

Pulmonary diseases secondary to heart failure
Infectious diseases of the lung
Neoplastic diseases of the lung

G. Gastrointestinal System

Disorders of the stomach (gastritis, ulcers)
Disorders of the intestines and colon (enteritis, colitis)
Neoplastic disorders of the gastrointestinal tract

H. Cardiovascular hemodynamic disorders

Congestion, edema (cause, characteristics)
Shock (classification, causes, complications)
Thromboembolism (classification, causes, complications)
Systemic hypertension (causes, complications)
Atherosclerosis (causes, development, complications)
Aneurysms (classification, development, complications)

I. Heart Disease

Coronary artery disease (causes, complications)
Hypertensive heart disease (causes, complications)
Rheumatic heart disease (causes, clinical features, pathological features)
Infectious endocarditis (causes, clinical features, pathological features)
Cardiomyopathies (causes, clinical features, pathological features)

J. Endocrine Disease

Diabetes (classification, pathology, clinical manifestations)
Hyperthyroidism
Hypothyroidism
Goiter, Graves disease
Hyperparathyroidism
Hypoparathyroidism
Hyperpituitarism
Hypopituitarism
Hypercorticism (Cushing’s disease)
Hypocorticism (Addison’s disease)
Disorders of the adrenal medulla

K. Nervous System Disease

Cerebrovascular disease, stroke
Headaches
Infectious diseases of the central nervous system
Nervous system neoplasms
Muscular atrophy, muscular dystrophy
Demyelinating diseases
Leukodystrophies, gangliosidoses

L. Nutritional Disorders

Malabsorption
Alcoholism

Ocular Pathology

A. Eyelids

Congenital anomalies
The disease of the lid margin, glands, skin, cilia
Tumors
Trauma

B. Orbit

Congenital anomalies; displacement of the eyeball
Inflammations
Tumors
Endopthalmos and Exophthalmos

C. Lacrimal Apparatus

Diseases of the lacrimal gland and ducts

D. Conjunctiva

Pinguecula, concretions, subconjunctival hemorrhage, anomalies of circulation
Conjunctivitis
Pterygium
Tumors
Trauma

E. Cornea

Congenital anomalies
Degenerative processes, dystrophies
Keratitis and keratopathies
Trauma
General pathologic considerations (vascularization, edema)

F. Sclera

Pigmentation
Ectasia and staphyloma
Scleritis, episcleritis

G. Iris, Ciliary Body, and Pupil

Congenital anomalies
Autoimmune reactions of iris and ciliary body
Primary and secondary diseases of iris and ciliary body
Tumors
Anomalies of pupillary reactions
Trauma

H. Lens and Vitreous Body

Congenital anomalies
Cataract: Symptoms, differential; diagnoses, secondary involvements
Luxation and subluxation
Anomalies of the vitreous body; fluidity, foreign bodies, muscae volitantes, hemorrhages

I. Choroid

Congenital anomalies of the choroid
Inflammations of the choroid
Tumors

J. Retina

Congenital anomalies
Diseases: dystrophic, infectious, tumors, etc.
Retrolental fibroplasia and related entities
Circulatory disturbances
Detachment

K. Optic nerve

Inflammatory changes
Tumors
Trauma
Toxic Amblyopias
Optic Atrophy
Papilledema

L. Ocular Tension and Glaucoma

Intraocular pressure
Ocular Manifestations of General Disease

Theoretical Optometry

A. Refraction Conditions

Refractive Status (ametropia, hyperopia, myopia, presbyopia astigmatism, and emmetropia)
Incidence & Distribution, Definition, Classification, Etiology, and its Management
Determination of refractive status both objective (retinoscopy, autorefractors) and subjectively both (monocular and binocular)

B. Accommodative mechanism

Definition, Classification
Determination of accommodative mechanisms functions objectively and subjectively including dynamic retinoscopy, the amplitude of accommodation, cross-cylinder tests, negative and positive relative accommodation.
Identify anomalies of accommodation (including ill sustained accommodation, insufficiency of accommodation spasm of near reflex, the inertia of accommodation), aphakia, anomalies of ACA ratio, and its management.

C. Binocular Vision

Definition, Etiology, Symptoms, and Distribution of Binocular Anomalies, which includes: heterophoria, tropia, amblyopia, anisometropia, antimetropia, aniseikonia, suppression, and abnormal retinal correspondence and its management.
Determination of the particular muscle involved in the anomalies of binocular vision.
Tests to confirm the extent of binocular vision anomaly.
Procedures and techniques in analyzing and diagnosing visual disorders include the OEP method, (SOAP) problem-oriented approach, Morgans correlate, Neumullers criterion, Sheard’s criterion, and Percivals criterion.

D. Low Vision

Definition, Etiology, Classification, and Symptoms
Diagnosis
Management – visual acuity, special refraction techniques, visual fields, reading skills, effects of illumination, magnification, determination, analysis or interpretation of personal, social, vocational or psychological patient needs and factors, available aids, theory and design, telescope and microscopic systems, projection instruments, pinhole, and other special devices.

E. Significance of Visual Tests

F. Normal Expected Visual Test Findings

Practical Optometry

A. Assessment of Visual Functions

Case History

B. External Examination

C. Preliminary Examination

Visual Acuity
Ocular Motility (versions, vergence, fixation)
Pupillary reflexes (direct, indirect, consensual accommodative)
Ocular Dominance
Interpupillary Distance
Negative and Positive Convergence
Negative and Positive Accommodation

D. Objective clinical procedures such as ophthalmoscopy, biomicroscopy, ophthalmometry, and retinoscopy

E. Subjective Testing

Monocular Subjective Techniques (fogging, determination and refinement of astigmatic correction, determination of spherical component, bichrome test)
Binocular Subjective Techniques (Biochrome balancing, Turville Infinity Balance Test, Prism Dissociation Test, Balancing Technique with Polarizing filters)
Equalization Techniques

F. All other tests necessary to assess the refractive, accommodative and binocular vision status

G. Photometric Tests

H. Contact Lenses

Anterior Eye Anatomy and Physiology
Introduction of Contact Lens
Examination Procedures and Patient Selection
Contact Lens Fitting (PMMA, RGP, SCL, Toric)
Ocular Response and Contact Lens related ocular complications to Contact Lens wear
Special Contact Lens Fitting

Theoretical Optics

A. Nature and Propagation of Light

Definition
Theories of Light (wave, electromagnetic, corpuscular, quantum and Fresnels)
Sources of Light
Photometry, Definitions, and Characteristics
Electromagnetic Spectrum
Diffraction
Transmission and Absorption
Polarization
Interference (negative and positive)
Radiation laws
Color Temperature
Flourescence, Phosphorescence, Electroluminescence
Lasers

B. Basic Optics

Definition, terminology, laws, and characteristics of reflection and refraction
Formation of images (magnification, deviation, and aberrations) on the plane and curved mirrors and refracting media
Characteristics of lenses (spherical, spherocyl, and cylindrical)
Principles of optical instruments
Mirrors
Thin Prism

Ophthalmic Optic

A. Physical Characteristics of Ophthalmic Lenses

Definitions, Classifications
The geometry of the lens surfaces (spherical, cylindrical, toric, and aspheric)
Base Curves (a form of lenses) and specifications of lens size and shapes
Material (index of refraction, dispersion, and hardness
Lens thickness (center and edge thickness, saggita)

B. Optical characteristics of the ophthalmic lens

Locations of and relationships between the optic axis, optical center, geometric center, and significant reference points)
Aberrations of lenses and corrective design
Verifications of lens prescriptions
Writing and Transposing lens Prescriptions
Effect of lens tilt (spheres and sphere cylinder about the principal meridian)
Adequate Power (for near and for changes in distances)
Spherocylinders equivalence of obliquely crossed cylinder

C. Ophthalmic Prisms and Prismatic effect of Lenses

Thickness differences across a prism
Prismatic effects of the lens (Spheres, Spherocylinder)
Decentration
Correction of vertical prism effect

D. Bifocal and multifocal lenses

Types (fused, one-piece, progressive, and blended lenses)
Methods of altering or generating additional lens power
Fitting Techniques for bifocal and multifocal lenses
Specifying and Selecting multifocal lenses (height, size, shape, and location of the segment)

E. Absorptive lenses

Effects of Infrared, visible, and ultraviolet radiation on the eye
Specifications of lens tints and absorptive coatings, including spectral transmission curves
Characteristics of Photochromic Lenses
Relationship between lens thickness and spectral transmission
Special Occupational requirements

F. Impact Resistance

Degree of resistance of ophthalmic lens materials
Method of verifying impact resistance
Specifications of occupational safety lenses

G. Processing of Lens Prescription

Preparation and actual grinding of lenses in the different stages
Benchwork and actual mounting or insertion of lens into the frame

H. Dispensing Procedures and Techniques

Concepts of frame selection including optical, occupational, cosmetic, and psychological factors
Frame Adjustments
Verification of lens prescription, including the prismatic effect

I. Other characteristics of lens prescription

Optical and frame consideration of high-powered lenses (spheric and aspheric)
Spectacle Magnification

Physiological Optics

A. Dioptrics of the Eye

Definition
Processes of Seeing
Optic constants of the schematic eye
Ocular refracting surfaces
Retinal image and Visual angle
Depth of focus

B. Accommodation

Definition and Classification
Scheiner’s Experiment
Purkinje-Sanson Images
Lenticular changes
Theories of accommodation
Innervation of Ciliary
Cycloplegics
Amplitude
Points and Ranges of Accommodation
Determination of near-point
Presbyopia
DonderÕs table
Accommodation asthenopia

C. Ametropia (Introductory)

Definition, Etiology
Brachycephalia, Dolichoncephalia
Law of Silo

D. Defects of the Eye

Sources
Aberrations
Axes and angles of the eye (e.g. angle alpha, visual axis and etc.)
Defects of transparency
Entoptic Phenomena

E. Iris

Anatomy
Pupil (definition, mydriasis, miosis, and appearance)
Factors affecting pupil size (for pupil constriction and dilation)
Pathways of the photo – pupil reflex (direct)
Pupil reflexes 5.6 Value of light reflex
The action of chemical compounds
Pupillary abnormalities (Argyll-Robertsons pupil, Adie’s pupil, etc.)

F. Retina

Layers
Visual Cells
Scotopic and Photopic vision
Duplicity Theory
Diurnal and nocturnal animals
Neural connections and rods and cones
Nyctalopia and Hemeralopia
Differentiation between scotopic and photopic vision
Retinal Changes
Metabolism
The seat of retinal stimulation
Retinal sensitivity: Visibility
Factors influencing the shold
Laws (e.g. WeberÕs, Fechners, Muellers and others)

G. Growth and Decay of Visual sensations, including after images

H. Repetitive stimulation: flicker

I. Colors

Color Vision
Color Mixing
Theories
Color vision anomalies

J. Basis, associated, and conjugated ocular movements

K. Visual projection and binocular vision

Monocular projection
Single binocular vision (development, prerequisites, doctrine of corresponding points and advantages)
Diplopia and disparate points
Binocular projection
Horopter
Theories of single binocular vision
Panums area
Fixation disparity

L. Fusion/Retinal Rivalry

Definition and Classification
Theories
Amplitude of fusion
Nystagmus

M. Stereopsis

Definition
Theories
Monocular depth perception
Monocular and binocular cues
Binocular depth perception

N. Innervational control of ocular movements

Innervation
Result of neural lesions
Nuclear centers
Reflex movements of fixation
Voluntary movements of fixation
Other cortical centers and reflexes

O. Phorias

Definition, Classification, and Etiology
Tests

P. Visual Efficiency: Perceptual Acuity/Visual Acuity

Definition of terms
Retinal regions and sensitivity
Glare
Types of visual acuity
Ocular fatigue

Q. Optical illusions

Ethics, Economics, Jurisprudence Hygiene and Sanitation

A. History of Optometry in the Philippines

B. Optometric Jurisprudence (Regulatory Laws and Regulations in Optometry)

Optometry Law (R.A. 1998)
Code of Ethics
Government Regulatory Bodies of Optometry
Rights of Optometrist
Rights of Patients
Liabilities of Optometrist
Damages
The Optometrist in Court
The Proposed Optometry Law

C. The Practice of Optometry

Acts that constitute the Practice of Optometry
Establishing a Professional Practice
Types of Practice
Incidental legal requirements in practice (PTR, ITR, getting a TIN, registration of books and receipts to BIR, etc.)

D. Practice Development/Management

Employee Relations (qualifications of secretary, labour law, etc.)
Public Relations/Patient Relations/ Patient Management (an efficient technique in handling patients, types of patients, referrals, effective communication in Optometric Practice, etc.)
Business Methods (bookkeeping, dealing with suppliers, business machines needed, Inventory, etc.)
Patient Record Management (organization of patient records, how complete is your Px record)
Money Management (opening bank accounts, scheduling payments to suppliers, purchasing equipment, etc.)
Perceptual Education (attending COE, postgraduate studies, fellowship, etc. subscription to Journals)
Protection/Insurance (equipment, location, and building)
Office Location and arrangement (room necessary for an optometric clinic, furniture arrangements, visual privacy, sound privacy, Instrumentation, etc.)

E. Public Health Optometry

Epidemiology
Definition of Terms in Public Health
Government healthcare programs (health planning, health education)
Community Health Projects
Vision Care Delivery (occupational safety and health acts)

Practical Examination

Objective Examination

The determination of the patient’s refractive status and ocular condition without questioning him. This covers an external ocular examination, motility test, rotation tests, fixation test), ophthalmoscopy (indirect and direct), ophthalmometry, biomicroscopy, autorefraction, and retinoscopy.

Subjective Examination

As a series of tests designed to determine the refractive status power of accommodation and convergence, the relationship of accommodation and convergence, quality of fusion, and stereopsis based on the patient’s responses. This covers case history, visual acuity, dominancy tests, color vision test, projection tests, visual field charting, OEP techniques except for steps nos. 1, 2, 4, 5, and 6, fusion tests, stereoscopic tests, analysis, and prescriptions, uses of the trial case, contact lens fitting, and assessment.

Ophthalmic Mechanics

Laboratory exercises in edging, mounting, insertion and glazing, neutralization, surfacing, lens layout, frame adjustments, transportation (optical cross, toric and flat), and filling prescriptions.

Diagnostic Instruments Required

Objective Examination Retinoscope and ophthalmoscope set, penlight, P.D. rule, occluder, trial case (which includes occluder, pinhole disc, red and green filter, stenopaic slit, trial frame)
Subjective Examination Trial case (which includes occluder, pinhole disc, red and green filter, stenopaic slit, trial frame), P.D. rule and penlight, near-point charts (cross grid, 0.62 em target, reduced Snellen), occluder, pinhole, hand towel for contact lens patients, soft and hard contact lens.
Ophthalmic Mechanics Trial case, P.D. rule, one pair finish lens (plastic and glass, cylindrical and spherical), one pair rough lens (glass), one spectacle frame, protractor, long nose pliers, chipping pliers, screwdriver set, lens pattern materials (scissors, cardboard, pens).

Optometrist Licensure Exam Schedule in 2022

Optometrist licensure board examinations are generally conducted at least once a year, according to the Professional Regulation Commission.

This calendar lists the dates for all licensure examinations. This manual outlines when and how applicants for the Optometrist Licensure Exam will be allowed and due for successful completion.