Certified Diagnostic Ophthalmic Sonographer
The designation of Certified Diagnostic Ophthalmic Sonographer (CDOS) signifies Allied Ophthalmic Personnel (AOP) who have a knowledge base in the principles and instrumentation needed to perform eye examinations using high frequency sound waves and perform B-scan sonography. No pre-requisite certification is required to sit for the CDOS examination.
Eligibility Requirements
Individuals interested in IJCAHPO certification must first establish eligibility to test. The eligibility pathways should be reviewed prior to submitting an examination application and related fees. IJCAHPO retains the sole authority to establish eligibility requirements and final decisions regarding examination eligibility.
To be eligible, candidates must meet one of the three following education and work experience categories:
CDOS – B1: Training Program Graduates
Required Education
International Council of Accreditation (ICA) accredited training program for AOP.*
- 5 hours of IJCAHPO approved B-scan CE credits in a classroom or distance learning setting earned within 12 months prior to submitting your application. View CE opportunities.
- 1 hour of IJCAHPO approved B-scan CE credit in a hands-on setting earned within 12 months prior to submitting your application.
REQUIRED WORK EXPERIENCE
Case log of 20 abnormal ophthalmic B-scan examinations performed within 12 months prior to submitting your application. A physician must sign the case log and at least five different pathologies must be listed.
CDOS – B2: Work Experience and Current Certification
Required Education
Continuing education credits:
- 5 hours of IJCAHPO approved B-scan CE credits in a classroom or distance learning setting earned within 12 months prior to submitting your application. View CE opportunities.
- 1 hour of IJCAHPO approved B-scan CE credit in a hands-on setting earned within 12 months prior to submitting your application.
REQUIRED WORK EXPERIENCE
Employed at least 4,000 hours as a:
COA, COT, or COMT, under the supervision of an ophthalmologist
or
ROUB, Registered Diagnostic Cardiac Sonographer (RDCS), Registered Diagnostic Medical Sonographer (RDMS), Registered Technologist Sonography (R.T. (S)), or Certified Retinal Angiographer (CRA), under physician supervision
and
Case log of 20 abnormal ophthalmic B-scan examinations performed within 12 months prior to submitting your application. A physician must sign the case log and at least five different pathologies must be listed.
CDOS – B3: Work Experience
Required Education
Continuing education credits:
- 5 hours of IJCAHPO approved B-scan CE credits in a classroom or distance learning setting earned within 12 months prior to submitting your application. View CE opportunities.
- 1 hour of IJCAHPO approved B-scan CE credit in a hands-on setting earned within 12 months prior to submitting your application.
REQUIRED WORK EXPERIENCE
Employed at least 6,000 hours as a sonographer
and
Case log of 20 abnormal ophthalmic B-scan examinations performed within 12 months prior to submitting your application. A physician must sign the case log and at least five different pathologies must be listed.
*Certification examination candidates who attend a formal training program may apply for the certification examinations, including the practical examinations, up to two months prior to graduation from the program; however, no examination results will be sent by IJCAHPO to the candidate until official notification of graduation is received and if applicable, verification of work experience.
Examination Information
The IJCAHPO certification process is examination-based. Examinations are based on research conducted every five years to determine the typical tasks performed by Allied Ophthalmic Personnel (AOP). These tasks are grouped into categories, and the examinations are designed to include questions pertaining to each category.
Timeline
Certification applications must be received within the allotted time frame in each eligibility pathway. Application for retest must be received within 12 months of initial examination.
Scheduling & Test Center
Candidates may schedule their examination at a Pearson VUE test center upon receipt of the confirmation notice. Candidates may use the toll-free number (888) 231-1929 or go online to www.pearsonvue.com/jcahpo to schedule their examination. A current list of test sites may also be viewed at www.pearsonvue.com/jcahpo by selecting “Find a Test Site.”
IJCAHPO does not control test site availability or examination scheduling. To avoid scheduling complications, schedule examination times promptly after receiving the confirmation notice.
Examination Length
180 Minutes
Number of Exam Questions
170
Resources
IJCAHPO Certification Criteria Including Specialty Certifications
Special Accommodations
IJCAHPO and its test vendors do not discriminate against individuals with disabilities and make every effort to reasonably accommodate candidates with documented disabilities as defined by the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA). If you have a disability as defined under the ADA, you must notify IJCAHPO by submitting a form regarding your request from your physician or a qualified healthcare professional.
Special Considerations
If an applicant does not meet the IJCAHPO eligibility criteria, but believes that their education, training, and/or experience are equivalent, they may request special consideration. People who received ophthalmic training outside the United States and Canada may be among those qualifying for special consideration.
The special consideration process is designed to serve an applicant who’s educational and/or employment background is different from the established eligibility criteria but may be deemed equivalent. Contact the IJCAHPO Certification Department for information on the documentation required to support special consideration requests.
Build your confidence by studying all areas of the examination content thoroughly. Use multiple resources and make sure you understand what you are studying.
Apply Now
Once you have met the requirements to apply for the CDOS examination, you can submit your application online or by mail.
In Need of Recertification?
Maintaining certification is just as important as earning it. Review the requirements to recertify and submit your application.