Step 1: Determine your eligibility.

1. You must have a high school diploma or equivalency.
 

2. You must have a minimum amount of work experience. You must have worked for at least 1000 hours (about 6 months full time) under the supervision of an ophthalmologist in the 12 months prior to application.

Step 2: Complete Independent Study Course

You must complete a Joint Commission approved independent study course. It must be completed within 36 months of submitting your application for examination. If it has been more than 36 months, you must repeat the course or submit 18 CE credits for each year beyond the 36 months.

If you have not yet completed this course, click here for helpful information.

If you have completed this step, click here for step 3.

Step 1: Determine your eligibility.

1. You must have a high school diploma or equivalency.
 

2. You must have a minimum amount of work experience. You must have worked for at least 1000 hours (about 6 months full time) under the supervision of an ophthalmologist in the 12 months prior to application.

Step 2: Complete Independent Study Course

You must complete an independent study course. It must be completed within 36 months of submitting your application for examination. If it has been more than 36 months, you must repeat the course or submit 18 CE credits for each year beyond the 36 months.

If you have not yet completed this course, click here for helpful information.

Step 3: Begin exam preparation and plan the timing of your application.

Before you begin Step 3, be sure you have time to commit to exam preparation, and that you have funds for the application process and for the exam prep course.

Using the Ophthalmic Assistant Exam Preparation Course from eyetec.net, you should allow for at least 4 months of studying at least one hour per day. The fee for the prep course is $120 for 6 months of access. Ask for more access time if you need it. Are the prep courses effective?

The exam is administered by the Joint Commission on Allied Health Personnel in Ophthalmology (800-284-3937). Call them for the application. The exam fee is currently $300, which will be due with the application. The application is processed within 2-4 weeks. You will receive a response by mail. If your application is accepted, you will have a 90 day window to schedule your exam.

When using the prep course, it is a good strategy to complete at least three month of study before you submit your application. This way you will have an idea if 6 months will be enough study time for you. If you submit your application after four months of study, you will most likely receive your confirmation letter after the fifth month of study time. This will allow you to schedule your exam close the end of your prep course access time.

Step 4: Complete your exam prep and pass your exam!

Step 1: Determine your eligibility.

1. You must be employed at least 2,000 hours (one-year full-time equivalent) as a COA®, under ophthalmologic supervision within 24 months (two-years) prior to submitting your application.

2. You must earn 12 JCAHPO Group A credits within the 12 months (one-year) prior to submitting your exam application.

3. You must maintain certification as a COA while pursuing COT certification.

If you are eligible, click here to go to step 2.

Step 1: Determine your eligibility.

1. You must be employed at least 2,000 hours (one-year full-time equivalent) as a COA®, under ophthalmologic supervision within 24 months (two-years) prior to submitting your application.

2. You must earn 12 JCAHPO Group A credits within the 12 months (one-year) prior to submitting your exam application.

3. You must maintain certification as a COA while pursuing COT certification.

Step 2: Begin exam preparation and plan the timing of your application.

Before you begin Step 2, be sure you have time to commit to exam preparation, and that you have funds for the application process and for the exam prep course.

Using the Ophthalmic Technician Exam Preparation Course from eyetec.net, you should allow for about 6 months of studying at least one hour per day. The fee for the prep course is $150 for 9 months of access. Ask for more access time if you need it. Are the prep courses effective?

You must complete an application process for the exam. The exam is administered by the Joint Commission on Allied Health Personnel in Ophthalmology (800-284-3937). Call them for the application.

An ophthalmologist must sign your application verifying that you meet the requirements.

The written examination is multiple choice. You must also pass a skill evaluation after you pass the written exam.

The cost is $325 for the initial written exam and initial skill evaluation, $275 for the first written exam retake if you fail, and $150 for the third retake. It costs $85 to retake the skill evaluation, and it costs $85 for a practice skill evaluation(Is the skill evaluation "practice test" worth the money?).

The application is processed within 2-4 weeks. You will receive a response by mail. If your application is accepted, you will have a 90 day window to schedule your exam.

When using the prep course, it is a good strategy to complete at least 5 months of study before you submit your application. This way you will have an idea if 6 months will be enough study time for you. If you submit your application after 5 months, you will most likely receive your confirmation letter after the 6th month of study time. This will allow you to schedule your exam close the end of your prep course access time (9 months of access).

Step 3: Complete your exam prep and pass the written exam!

You will receive instructions from the Joint Commission regarding the skill evaluation after you pass the written exam. The prep course has content to help you study for the skill evaluation. Click here for more info on the skill evaluation.