Recertification is administered by the Joint Commission on Allied Health Personnel in Ophthalmology (800-284-3937), which has to approve all courses that can be claimed as CE credit.
Recertification is required every 36 months (3 years) for those certified as ophthalmic assistants, technicians, and technologists. There are two ways to recertify, either accrue the prescribed number of continuing education credits, or take the written certifying exam again. Since no one in their right mind would take the exam again if they don't need to, your best option is gather CE credits.The idea of continuing education is to keep up with changes in your field, acquire new skills, or to review skills that you seldom use.
Assistant level recertification: 18 CE credits are required. All 18 can be group A credits. A minimum of 12 group A credits is required. A maximum of 6 group B credits can be claimed.
Technician level recertification: 27 CE credits are required. All 27 can be group A credits. A minimum of 18 group A credits is required. A maximum of 9 group B credits can be claimed.
Technologist level recertification: 36 CE credits are required. All 36 can be group A credits. A minimum of 18 group A credits is required. A maximum of 18 group B credits can be claimed.
What are group A credits? Group A credits are all "eye care" related. The subject matter does not necessarily have to relate to exam content, but all exam content subject matter will be awarded group A credit. The Joint Commission makes the final determination as to Group A or Group B. All approved CE courses will have group A or group B designation.
Earn group A credits by attending or teaching a course or workshop that has been awarded group A credits. Teaching credits are limited to one credit per course taught per cycle. They can also be earned by completing an online course with group A credit.
What are group B credits? These include courses awarded group B credit, Physicians CME in Ophthalmology, authoring or co-authoring a scientific paper or poster, and completing a CPR certification.
How are group B credits earned?
- Attend a course that has been awarded group B credit.
- Teach a course that has been awarded group B credit. Limited to one credit per course taught per cycle.
- Attend Grand Rounds or a physician CME course in ophthalmology that has category 1 credit and meets group A content requirements. Two hours = one hour credit, except for technologists, which is 1:1.
- Author or co-author a scientific paper or poster. Maximum credit is 5 for author and 3 for co-author. Must be review by the Joint Commission.
- CPR certification = 1 credit, with a maximum of 3 credits per cycle.
Application for recertification:
The Joint Commission on Allied Health Personnel in Ophthalmology (800-284-3937) should mail you an application before the end of your recert. time period, but it is a good idea to keep track of this yourself.
The cost to recertify is $115. The late fee is $85.
Important tips:
- Always keep proof of your credits earned in a safe place to avoid a scramble at re-certification time!
- If this is your first recertification, or if you are late in recertifying, you will have to include proof of credits earned as well as a list of credits earned. The lesson here is to apply on time so you don't have to do the extra paperwork.
- Your application must be postmarked by the last day of the last month of your cycle.
- Even if you don't have to submit proof of credits, you may be subject to a random audit of your credits, so be sure to keep the paperwork.