One exam. One location. Zero transparency. Careers on the line.

The National Board of Examiners in Optometry Part III exam is a high-stakes clinical skills test required for licensure—but serious concerns about fairness and transparency continue to affect candidates nationwide.

This exam is administered at a single location in Charlotte, North Carolina, meaning every candidate must travel there and accept the exact same testing environment with no alternative sites. Each student has to pay $1450 per attempt. Many students have little money and little ground to stand up against such a large organization. When issues arise, there is no flexibility—and no meaningful recourse.

Candidates consistently report that scoring lacks transparency. Students have to wait 2 months for their grades once they perform their exam. The NBEO does not clearly explain how performance is graded, does not provide a detailed rubric, and does not offer sufficient feedback to understand failing outcomes. This becomes even more concerning given that the exam was recently overhauled, yet clear grading criteria and expectations have still not been provided. Many students report having testing irregularities and unstandardized encounters which were not addressed by the board in their scoring. Additionally, there is no effective appeals or review process. Even when concerns are documented during the exam, candidates are left without clear answers or accountability.

We are calling for:

A clearly defined and publicly available scoring rubric
Transparent and detailed post-exam feedback
A formal, accessible appeals and review process
Independent oversight to ensure fair administration
Accountability for exam changes that impact scoring and outcomes
This is not about lowering standards—it’s about ensuring those standards are applied consistently, transparently, and fairly.

Optometry graduates dedicate years of education and take on significant financial burden to enter this profession. They deserve a licensing process that reflects integrity, clarity, and fairness.

Sign this petition to demand reform of NBEO Part III.