Withdrawal Policy


Withdrawal Policy

1. Withdrawal Deadline

a. For purposes of this Withdrawal Policy, the Withdrawal Deadline shall be defined as the following:

i. For Part I ABS, Part II PAM/TMOD, CPDO, and ACMO examinations, the Withdrawal Deadline shall be fourteen (14) days prior to the first date of testing during that test administration.

ii. For Part III CSE, ISE, LSPE and in-house OSLE examinations, the Withdrawal Deadline shall be fourteen days prior to the candidate’s scheduled exam.


2. With Notice

a. If a candidate provides written notice to NBEO on or prior to 30 days before the exam date, then NBEO will refund to the candidate the full examination fee.

b. If candidate provides written notice to NBEO on or prior to the Withdrawal Deadline, then NBEO will refund to the candidate the examination fee(s) minus a 20% service fee.

c. To request a withdrawal, the candidate must send notice of withdrawal via email to nbeo@optometry.org. The request must include:

  • i. Full Name;
  • ii. OE TRACKER®;
  • iii. Examination;
  • iv. Date and time of exam;
  • v. Test site; and
  • vi. A statement that the candidate is requesting to be withdrawn from the examination.


3. Without Notice

a. Without Notice.If a candidate does not take the examination or if a candidate fails to provide written notice of withdrawal to NBEO prior to the Withdrawal Deadline, then the entire examination fee(s) will be forfeited.

b. Exceptions.

i. If a candidate reschedules, cancels, or does not take the examination because of circumstances beyond their control, then NBEO in its sole discretion may refund the examination fee minus a 20% service fee.

ii. A candidate should call or email prior to registering for a change in exam date.

iii. To request an exception, the candidate must submit within fifteen (15) days after the originally scheduled examination date the fee waiver request form Withdrawal Policy Form

iv. Examples of an exception may include the following:

  1. 1. Unexpected accident
  2. 2. Illness
  3. 3. Death or illness of immediate family member
  4. 4. Flight cancellation
  5. 5. Weather related incidents (i.e., blizzard, storm that grounds transportation, etc.)
  6. 6. Military orders
  7. 7. Governmental regulations

4. Online State Law Exam Notwithstanding the foregoing, all fees paid by a candidate for the remote online state law exam (“OSLE”) are non-refundable.


5. Amendments to Policy. National Board of Examiners in Optometry, Inc. reserves the right to amend, modify or change the terms and conditions of this policy at any time for any reason.

Effective June 13, 2023.