The National Board of Examiners in Optometry Inc

What it reported doing in 2024

The nbeo series of licensure exams consists of three separate parts. Part i applied basic science (abs) is a multiple-choice, computer-based exam that assesses candidates' mastery of the underlying basic science concepts necessary for entry into optometric practice. Part ii patient assessment and management (pam) examination assesses clinical thinking and decision-making, along with knowledge of diagnosis and treatment. The part ii pam exam is also a computer-based, multiple-choice exam. Continued on schedule o.part ii pam questions frequently are shown as part of an overall case wherein candidates are given clinical information, sometimes including diagnostic images. The treatment and management of ocular disease (tmod) examination can be completed as part of part ii pam (embedded within the exam) or may be taken as a standalone examination. Part iii clinical skills exam (cse), which retired at the end of the 2023-2024 administrative year, was a performance-based exam wherein examinees were required to perform optometric clinical skills that reflect practice. These skills were performed at four different stations; all stations relied on standardized patients on whom the examinee performed the skills for each station. Each station was housed within an examination room that was designed to simulate real-life optometric exam rooms. The equipment, placement of materials, and room dimensions were standardized, and the nbeo followed a multilayered protocol for quality assurance throughout the examination process. Beginning in august 2024, nbeo began administering the part iii patient encounters and performance skills (peps) examination. This new, restructured part iii exam is consistent with nbeo's mission of public protection and complements the part i and part ii exams in assessing whether candidates are qualified to enter into the independent practice of optometry. It is the combination of these three exams that represents overall competency and ultimately enables a candidate to demonstrate the optometric knowledge and skills necessary to practice. Part iii peps has been developed to not only evaluate essential skills but also to measure a candidate's ability to apply evidence-based knowledge to patient care. The new exam moves beyond the assessment of the physical ability to perform the skill to also measure a candidate's cognitive ability to interpret the result and apply that knowledge directly to patient care. For information on these licensure exams as well as the additional exams offered by nbeo, please visit the nbeo website at www.optometry.org.

Financial Efficiency

• Mission deployment rate: 53.7%; rating input score 54
• Program expense ratio: 69.7%; rating input score 70
• Fundraising efficiency: Limited

Transparency & Controls

• Consistency checks: 100%; rating input score 100; 62nd percentile among comparable filings
• Pay-setting controls: 3 of 6 controls in place; rating input score 50
  • Compensation committee: Missing
  • Independent consultant: Missing
  • Other Form 990s reviewed: Pass
  • Written employment contract: Pass
  • Compensation survey or study: Missing
  • Board or committee approval: Pass
• Foreign activity oversight: Limited
• Grant itemization coverage: Limited
• Major donor itemization: Limited
• Related-party transparency: Limited

Accountability

• Independent voting board: 100%; rating input score 100; 66th percentile among comparable filings
• Governance controls: 9 of 9 controls in place; rating input score 100
  • Conflict-of-interest policy: Pass
  • Whistleblower policy: Pass
  • Document-retention policy: Pass
  • CEO compensation review process: Pass
  • Other executive compensation review process: Pass
  • Form 990 shared with the board: Pass
  • Board meeting minutes documented: Pass
  • Audit committee oversight: Pass
  • Independent financial-statement audit: Pass

Sustainability

• Operating margin: 19.2%; rating input score 81; 81st percentile among comparable filings
• Total-asset coverage ratio: 1.78; rating input score 57; 57th percentile among comparable filings
• Liabilities to assets ratio: 0.3; rating input score 46; 46th percentile among comparable filings
• Officer compensation ratio: 13.4%; rating input score 11; 11th percentile among comparable filings

Growth

• Program expense growth: 6.3% per year; rating input score 100; 51st percentile among comparable filings
• Revenue growth: 8.2% per year; rating input score 100; 66th percentile among comparable filings
• Asset growth: 7.8% per year; rating input score 100; 54th percentile among comparable filings