IJCAHPO certifications last 36 months. To renew, a COA® needs 18 continuing education (CE) credits per cycle, a COT® 27 and a COMT® 36. Submit the application, signed by your sponsoring ophthalmologist, with the $125 fee by your recertification date. Or retake the exam instead of earning credits. More than six months late, the certification is revoked.
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Credits you need
| Credential | Total IJCAHPO credits | If dual-certified (OPS or AOC): most you can bring from those groups |
|---|---|---|
| COA® (and CCOA) | 18 | 6 (at least 12 from IJCAHPO) |
| COT® | 27 | 9 (at least 18 from IJCAHPO) |
| COMT® | 36 | 12 (at least 24 from IJCAHPO) |
Sources: IJCAHPO recertification; dual-certification split from the Group B update.
What counts
- Lectures, workshops and online courses awarded IJCAHPO CE credit.
- Teaching an IJCAHPO-credited course (1 credit per credit taught; one credit per topic per cycle).
- CPR certification, and papers or posters approved by IJCAHPO’s Education Department.
- OPS or AOC credits, but only if you hold that organization’s certification (up to one third of your total).
- AMA or CMA Category 1 credits: not for COAs or COTs. COMTs can count as many as 12 (since August 1, 2024).
Every credit has to come from the 36-month cycle, and the same course counts only once. Group B credits earned after August 1, 2020 are not accepted. Sources: recertification page, Group B update.
Our prep isn’t CE. optical.education courses help you pass exams. They don’t carry IJCAHPO CE credit, so they won’t count toward recertification.
How to apply
- Record your credits on the application. First-time and late applicants also send copies of proof.
- Get your sponsoring ophthalmologist to sign it.
- Submit online or by mail, with the $125 fee, by your recertification date (postmarked by the final day of your cycle’s last month).
IJCAHPO mails a reminder about 6 months ahead, but the deadline is yours to track. Normal processing is 4 to 6 weeks; rush is $50. Sources: recertification page, Fee Schedule and Timeline.
If you’re late
Miss the date and you go into non-certified status: you can’t use the credential. Since August 1, 2022, you have 6 months to recertify before the certification is revoked (it used to be 12). You pay the $85 late fee, the credits needed don’t go up, and your cycle date stays the same. Once revoked, IJCAHPO offers a one-time reinstatement option; contact them. Sources: Non-Certified Status announcement, recertification page.
Recertify by exam
Instead of credits, you can retest at your most recent level, as long as you aren’t revoked. COT and COMT holders take only the multiple-choice exam. You send the exam application and exam fee in place of the renewal fee. Source: recertification page.
Going for the next level instead? See COT or COMT certification.
COA®, COT® and COMT® are registered marks of IJCAHPO.
Frequently asked questions
How many CE credits do I need to recertify my COA?
18 IJCAHPO credits per 36-month cycle. A COT needs 27 and a COMT needs 36.
How much does COA recertification cost?
The recertification fee is $125. A late application, sent with a postmark up to 12 months after your recertification date, adds an $85 late fee. Rush processing is $50.
When is the recertification deadline?
Submit online or postmarked by your recertification date. IJCAHPO’s fee schedule asks for a postmark no later than the final day of your cycle’s last month. IJCAHPO mails a reminder about 6 months before, but you are responsible even if you don’t get it.
Sources: IJCAHPO — Recertification (opens in a new tab) ; IJCAHPO — Examination Fees and Timelines (PDF, linked as “Fee Schedule and Timeline”) (opens in a new tab)
What happens if I miss my recertification date?
You go into non-certified status and may not use the credential. Since August 1, 2022, you have 6 months to recertify (with the late fee) before the certification is revoked. Your credit requirement and cycle date don’t change.
Sources: IJCAHPO — Non-Certified Status Update Announcement (PDF) (opens in a new tab) ; IJCAHPO — Recertification (opens in a new tab)
Can I retake the exam instead of earning credits?
Yes. You may retest at your most recent level, as long as the certification isn’t revoked. COT and COMT holders only need to pass the multiple-choice exam. You pay the exam fee in place of the renewal fee.
Sources: IJCAHPO — Recertification (opens in a new tab) ; IJCAHPO — Examination Fees and Timelines (PDF, linked as “Fee Schedule and Timeline”) (opens in a new tab)
Do AMA Category 1 credits count?
Not for COAs or COTs. Since August 1, 2024, COMTs can count as many as 12 AMA or CMA Category 1 credits.
Are Group B credits still accepted?
No. IJCAHPO’s Group B update says Group B credits earned after August 1, 2020 are not accepted.
Source: IJCAHPO — Group B Credit Change Announcement (PDF, 2026-08-26 file) (opens in a new tab)
Do optical.education courses count as CE?
No. Our courses are exam prep and do not carry IJCAHPO CE credit.
Official sources
- IJCAHPO — Recertification (opens in a new tab)
- IJCAHPO — Examination Fees and Timelines (PDF, linked as “Fee Schedule and Timeline”) (opens in a new tab)
- IJCAHPO — Group B Credit Change Announcement (PDF, 2026-08-26 file) (opens in a new tab)
- IJCAHPO — Non-Certified Status Update Announcement (PDF) (opens in a new tab)
Last reviewed . Requirements, fees, and dates change — always confirm with the official source before you register or apply. ABO-NCLE and IJCAHPO are the only authorities for their own exam facts, so those facts rest on a single source.