Program Requirements

Candidates have a time frame of up to 5 to 10 years to complete all the following requirements. The candidate is required to complete ALL the requirements of one level before starting the next level and the candidate is expected to complete the steps within each level IN THE ORDER listed below.

Level 1

1. Attend the live NORA Foundations of Neuro Optometric Rehabilitation (Clinical Skills Curriculum Level 1) course
2. Self-study: review several core reference/textbooks on Neuro-Optometric Rehabilitation
3. AFTER attending the Foundations of Neuro Optometric Rehabilitation (Clinical Skills Curriculum Level 1) course complete the Clinical Skills Level 1 Open Book Examination Questions
4. Make a brief 10-12 minute PowerPoint presentation at the NORA pre-conference on an approved Brain Injury or Neuro-Optometric Rehabilitation Topic

NORA Fellowship Level 1 Reference List
NORA Fellowship Level 1 Open Book Questions
NORA Fellowship Level 1 Presentation Topics

Level 2

1. Attend the live NORA Clinical Applications of Neuro-Optometric Rehabilitation (Clinical Skills Curriculum Level 2 )course
2. Write and submit two Neuro-Optometric Rehabilitation case reports (The first case report must be FULLY-ACCEPTED by the NORA Fellowship Committee BEFORE the second case report is submitted)
3. Make a 20 minute PowerPoint presentation at the NORA pre-conference on one of your two case reports

NORA Fellowship Level 2 Case Reports Format Guidelines

Level 3

• Consult with the NORA Fellowship Committee Chair to determine the topic of a scientific article that is suitable for publication. Examples of scientific articles include a case report (this may be one of the Level 2 case reports), literature review, book chapter, or research study.
• Write and submit a scientific article to the NORA Fellowship Committee for review, comments, and approval before submitting to a journal. Prior publications are not eligible.
• Once fully accepted, submit the article to a peer-reviewed publication.
• Receive written confirmation of acceptance to publication.
• Make a 25-30 minute PowerPoint presentation of the FNORA Level 3 paper at the NORA pre-conference.

NORA Fellowship Level 3 Paper Requirements - The Level III process is designed to develop a candidate’s expertise in an area of neuro-optometric rehabilitation which the candidate has chosen, as well as improve the quantity and quality of information in neuro-optometric rehabilitation in the clinical and scientific literature. Click here to find information that will be helpful in the process of completing Level III. The specific guidelines are listed at the end of this document.

Once all the steps are completed and approved by the NORA Fellowship Committee, the candidate will be awarded the Fellow of Neuro-Optometric Rehabilitation (FNORA) at the NORA Annual Meeting.

Failure to complete the requirements in the 10-year time frame will necessitate a re-submission of the application and fee.  Open Book Questions and Case Reports completed in the initial enrollment period do carry over to subsequent re-application periods. Only the application fee with updated application is needed to reapply.

NORA Clinical Skills Curriculum Courses

The Clinical Skills Curriculum Course is a live workshop offered at the annual NORA Annual Meeting. The next Clinical Skills Curriculum courses will be held at the NORA 2023 Conference, October 5-8, Portland, OR.

There are two levels of Clinical Skills Curriculum: Level 1 and Level 2. Attendees who are new to the Clinical Skills Curriculum are recommended to register for Clinical Skills Curriculum Level 1. Those who have attended Clinical Skills Curriculum Level 1 are suggested to register for Clinical Skills Curriculum Level 2. Since Level 1 and Level 2 are offered simultaneously but in different rooms, an individual will take Level 1 and Level 2 at different NORA meetings. Those who have attended Clinical Skills Curriculum Level 1 and 2 are encouraged to attend the Clinical Skills Advanced Course.

Clinical Skills Level 1 is typically taught by a Neuro-Optometric Rehabilitation Optometrist, an Occupational Therapist and a Physical Therapist. Clinical Skills Level 2 is currently taught by 2 to 3 Neuro-Optometric Rehabilitation Optometrists, an Occupational Therapist, and/or a rehabilitation professional. The Clinical Skills Instructors bring together many years of experience of Neuro-Optometric Rehabilitation.

Please note that the fees to attend the NORA Annual Conference are separate from the NORA Fellowship Program application fee. Since the Clinical Skills Curriculum Courses are also part of the requirements of the NORA Fellowship Program, anyone who wants to pursue the NORA Fellowship Program is recommended to start by attending the Clinical Skills Curriculum Course Level I.

How to Begin the NORA Fellowship Program:

1. Be a member in good standing with NORA and remain current on dues during the entire process. (If you have not already done so, join NORA as a member. If you have already joined NORA as a member in previous year(s) but have not renewed your membership yet, please ensure that you renew your membership)
2. Complete the FNORA application form and follow the instruction to pay the application fees