COMT® (Certified Ophthalmic Medical Technologist) is IJCAHPO’s advanced credential, above COA® and COT®. You qualify through an accredited technologist program or through work hours as a COT, CO or OC(C). You must pass a 190-question, 180-minute multiple-choice exam, the COT Skill Evaluation (current COTs are exempt) and a 60-minute Performance Test, all within 36 months of approval. The exam fee is $340.
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COA vs COT vs COMT
| COA® | COT® | COMT® | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Level | Entry | Intermediate | Advanced |
| Multiple-choice exam | Yes (see the COA guide) | 200 questions, 180 minutes | 190 questions, 180 minutes |
| Hands-on test | None | Skill Evaluation, 120 minutes | COT Skill Evaluation (unless a current COT) plus Performance Test, 60 minutes |
| Exam fee | $300 | $325 | $340, plus $110 Performance Test |
| Credits per 36-month cycle | 18 | 27 | 36 |
Sources: IJCAHPO COA, COT and COMT pages, the Fee Schedule and Timeline, and the recertification page.
Eligibility routes
| Route | Requirement |
|---|---|
| TG1 | Accredited ophthalmic medical technologist program, plus at least two years of college (60 semester or 90 quarter credits). No work hours. |
| TG2 | The program plus less than 2 years of college, and 4,000 work hours within 24 months. |
| TG3 | Current COT, 12 CE credits in the last 12 months, and 6,000 COT work hours within 60 months. |
| TG4 | CO or OC(C), and 4,000 hours within 60 months. |
| TG5 | COT fast track: 3,000 COT work hours plus 6,000 non-certified work hours, verified by letter. |
Source: IJCAHPO COMT page.
The three exams
- Multiple-choice exam: 190 questions, 180 minutes.
- COT Skill Evaluation: the same seven hands-on skills as the COT. Current COTs are exempt. See the Skill Evaluation guide.
- COMT Performance Test: 60 minutes. The handbook says it’s given at IJCAHPO headquarters in St. Paul, Minnesota (contact IJCAHPO about other locations), and that you may take it up to four times.
All parts must be passed within 36 months of approval. No practice test exists for the COMT written exam or the Performance Test. Sources: COMT page, Core Criteria Handbook.
Fees
- COMT exam: $340
- Multiple-choice retests: $290 for the first, $150 for the second
- Performance Test: $110 first attempt, $85 retest
Source: IJCAHPO Fee Schedule and Timeline. Check it before you apply.
Where to start
Most people climb the ladder: COA, then COT, then COMT. Each step needs the work hours from the one before. If you’re weighing the first step, read is COA certification worth it.
COA®, COT® and COMT® are registered marks of IJCAHPO.
Frequently asked questions
What is COMT certification?
COMT (Certified Ophthalmic Medical Technologist) is IJCAHPO’s advanced core certification. It is the step above COT.
Source: IJCAHPO — Certified Ophthalmic Medical Technologist (COMT®) (opens in a new tab)
How do I qualify for the COMT?
IJCAHPO lists five routes: an accredited technologist program plus at least 2 years of college; the program plus less than 2 years of college and 4,000 work hours; a current COT with 6,000 COT work hours in 60 months; a CO or OC(C) with 4,000 hours in 60 months; or a COT fast track with 3,000 COT work hours plus 6,000 non-certified work hours.
Source: IJCAHPO — Certified Ophthalmic Medical Technologist (COMT®) (opens in a new tab)
What exams does the COMT require?
A 190-question, 180-minute multiple-choice exam, the COT Skill Evaluation (current COTs don’t retake it) and the 60-minute COMT Performance Test. All must be passed within 36 months of approval.
Source: IJCAHPO — Certified Ophthalmic Medical Technologist (COMT®) (opens in a new tab)
How much does the COMT cost?
The fee schedule lists $340 for the COMT exam. The Performance Test is $110 for the first attempt and $85 for a retest. A first multiple-choice retest is $290 and a second is $150.
Where is the COMT Performance Test given?
IJCAHPO’s handbook says it takes place at IJCAHPO headquarters in St. Paul, Minnesota, and to contact IJCAHPO about other locations.
Source: IJCAHPO — Core Certification Criteria Handbook (PDF) (opens in a new tab)
Is there a COMT practice test?
IJCAHPO’s COMT page says no practice test exists for the COMT written exam or the Performance Test.
Source: IJCAHPO — Certified Ophthalmic Medical Technologist (COMT®) (opens in a new tab)
Can I skip COT and go straight to COMT?
Yes, if you graduate from an accredited ophthalmic medical technologist program (routes TG1 and TG2), or hold a CO or OC(C). The work-hour routes start from COT.
Source: IJCAHPO — Certified Ophthalmic Medical Technologist (COMT®) (opens in a new tab)
Official sources
- IJCAHPO — Certified Ophthalmic Medical Technologist (COMT®) (opens in a new tab)
- IJCAHPO — Examination Fees and Timelines (PDF, linked as “Fee Schedule and Timeline”) (opens in a new tab)
- IJCAHPO — Core Certification Criteria Handbook (PDF) (opens in a new tab)
- IJCAHPO — Certified Ophthalmic Technician (COT®) (opens in a new tab)
- IJCAHPO — Certified Ophthalmic Assistant (COA®) (opens in a new tab)
- IJCAHPO — Recertification (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.