Certified Ophthalmic Technician
The Certified Ophthalmic Technician (COT) is a core certification at the intermediate level, designed to test the COA who intends to advance their career in the eye care field, or the COT program graduate. The COT designation confirms an assistant’s knowledge in specific content areas.
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 four following education and work experience categories:
COT-T1: Training Program Graduates
Required Education
International Council of Accreditation (ICA) accredited training program at the Technician level.*
- If you completed the program more than 12 months ago, you will need to submit 12 IJCAHPO CE credits for each year following graduation. The credits must be earned within 36 months prior to submitting your application. View CE opportunities.
REQUIRED WORK EXPERIENCE
None necessary.
COT-T2: Current COA
Required Education
Current COA certification and IJCAHPO CE credits.
- You will need to submit 12 IJCAHPO CE credits earned within 12 months prior to submitting your application. View CE opportunities.
- Must maintain certification as a COA while pursuing COT certification.
REQUIRED WORK EXPERIENCE
Employed 2,000 hours as a COA under the supervision of an ophthalmologist within 24 months prior to submitting your application.
COT-T3: Current Certified Orthoptist
Required Education
Current Certified Orthoptist (CO) or Orthoptist Certified in Canada (OC(C)) certification and IJCAHPO CE credits.
- You will need to submit 12 IJCAHPO CE credits earned within 12 months prior to submitting your application. View CE opportunities.
- Must maintain certification as an Orthoptist while pursuing COT certification.
REQUIRED WORK EXPERIENCE
Employed 2,000 hours as a CO or OC(C) within 24 months prior to submitting your application.
COT-T4: Current COA Fast-Track
Fast Track Option: Allows a current COA the use of 6,000 hours of non-certified work experience and IJCAHPO CE credits.
Required Education
- You will need to submit 12 IJCAHPO CE credits earned within 12 months prior to submitting your application. View CE opportunities.
- Must maintain certification as a COA while pursuing COT certification.
REQUIRED WORK EXPERIENCE
Current COA certification
and
6,000 hours of non-certified work experience under the supervision of an ophthalmologist. Verification of previous work experience needs to be in the form of a letter from your ophthalmologist on official letterhead.
*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.
COT certification requires successful completion of the multiple-choice examination and the COT Skill Evaluation.
Timeline
Certification applications must be received within the allotted time frame in each eligibility pathway. Application for the multiple-choice examination retest must be received within 12 months of initial examination.
The multiple-choice examination and Skill Evaluation must be completed within 24 months of application approval.
practice examination
A practice examination is available for the COT Skill Evaluation for an additional fee. You may choose this option by marking it on your Skill Evaluation form that you receive after passing the COT multiple-choice examination. There is not a practice examination for the COT multiple-choice 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
200
Initial Skill Evaluation Exam Length
120 Minutes
Resources
IJCAHPO Core Certification Criteria Handbook
Scheduling & Taking the Examination
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 for eligibility. 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.
How to Prepare
Build your confidence by studying all areas of the examination content thoroughly. Use multiple resources, take practice quizzes and tests, and make sure you understand what you are studying. View the resources IJCAHPO has available to help you prepare for your examination.
Study Resources
Quick Study Cards and Study Guides to help you prepare for your certification examination.
Learning Systems
Prepare for the Skill Evaluation with this computer-based simulation series.
Certification Exam Prep Sessions
Offered live and virtually, attend this course to prepare for the written certification examination.
Apply Now
Once you have met the requirements to apply for the COT examination, 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.