The provincial optometry regulatory authorities determine registration requirements. All Canadian jurisdictions require candidates to pass the OEBC Exam before they register. However, the College of Optometrists of Ontario and the College of Health and Care Professionals of British Columbia have provisions for students who have registered to challenge the American board exam and intend to practice in their jurisdiction.

The College of Optometrists of Ontario will no longer accept NBEO Exam results after March 7, 2025, for registration purposes unless candidates had registered for Part I, Part II, or Part III PEPS by March 7, 2025.  See details here. 

The College of Health and Care Professionals of British Columbia declared that the NBEO Exam results will no longer be accepted by the College for the purpose of obtaining licensure to practise optometry in the province of British Columbia. However, individuals who had already registered for Part I, II, or III of the NBEO Exam as of March 12, 2025, may continue with the NBEO Exam process, and the College will recognize their results. See details here. 

OEBC surveys candidates after each administration, asking what they found helpful in preparing for the Canadian Board Exam. Some high-performing candidates reported using only the OEBC Study Guide, the OEBC Blueprint, and their class notes.  In addition, candidates have suggested the resources below as being helpful in their preparation.

OEBC provides preparatory materials on its website, and does not endorse any study materials that it does not publish. 

• Optoprep
• Daily questions from Optoprep’s emails
• KMK 7th Edition, KMK Part 1 and 2 books, a small Canadian guide by KMK
• Wills Manual of Eye Disease
• Kanski’s Clinical
• NBEO Part 2 study guide
• Massachusetts Eye and Ear Infirmary
• The American Academy of Ophthalmology

This website contains rich information about the exam. To learn about exam content:

• Review the Exam Blueprint
• Click on the tab “Preparing for the Exam“, and review all preparatory documents available to you, which contain information on the Canadian Board Exam, including sample questions and equipment used in the exam
• Click on the tab “Taking the Exam” and see the various sub-tabs to learn about Eligibility, Key Dates, Fees, Preparing for the Exam, Registering for the Exam, etc.
• You can sign up for an online Exam Information Session or set one up for your school by contacting oebc@exams.ca

A candidate has up to four attempts at each component. If a candidate fails their fourth attempt at either component, they fail the OEBC exam. The remaining attempts for the other component are void.

OEBC provides free study materials (found on the Preparing for the Exam page), including a complimentary practice written exam.