COT® (Certified Ophthalmic Technician) is IJCAHPO’s intermediate credential, one step above COA®. You qualify through an accredited technician program or through work hours as a COA, CO or OC(C). You must pass a 200-question, 180-minute multiple-choice exam and a 120-minute hands-on Skill Evaluation, both within 24 months of approval. The fee is $325.
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Eligibility routes
IJCAHPO lists four routes to the COT. Every route needs 12 IJCAHPO-accepted continuing education (CE) credits.
| Route | Who it fits | Work or study needed |
|---|---|---|
| T1 | Graduate of an accredited ophthalmic technician program | The program. If more than 12 months have passed since you graduated, you also need 12 CE credits per year, earned within the last 36 months. |
| T2 | Current COA® | 2,000 hours working as a COA under an ophthalmologist in the last 24 months, plus 12 CE credits in the last 12 months. Keep your COA current. |
| T3 | Certified Orthoptist (CO) or OC(C) | 2,000 hours in the last 24 months, plus 12 CE credits. |
| T4 | Current COA with long non-certified experience | 6,000 non-certified work hours, verified in a letter from an ophthalmologist on letterhead, plus 12 CE credits. |
Students in an accredited program can apply up to 2 months before graduation. Results are held until graduation is verified. IJCAHPO COT page
The two exam parts
- Multiple-choice exam: 200 questions in 180 minutes, taken at a Pearson VUE test center.
- Skill Evaluation: a hands-on test with a 120-minute limit. You perform seven skills, including lensometry, retinoscopy and refinement. See our COT Skill Evaluation guide for the skills and the scoring.
You must pass both within 24 months of your application being approved. If you fail the multiple-choice exam, you apply to retest within 12 months. IJCAHPO COT page
IJCAHPO publishes the COT and COMT content areas.
Fees
| Item | Fee |
|---|---|
| COT exam (one multiple-choice attempt and one Skill Evaluation attempt) | $325 |
| First multiple-choice retest | $275 |
| Second multiple-choice retest | $150 |
| Practice Skill Evaluation | $85 |
| Skill Evaluation retest | $85 |
Source: IJCAHPO Fee Schedule and Timeline, linked from the COT page. Fees can change, so check before you apply.
Keeping your COT
IJCAHPO certifications last 36 months. A COT needs 27 credits per cycle. You can retake the multiple-choice exam instead of earning credits. Read our recertification guide for the details.
The next step up is the COMT®. If you’re still deciding whether certification pays off, read is COA certification worth it.
How to prepare
Start with the content areas, then practice the seven skills on real equipment with someone who can check your technique. Our free COA practice questions cover the base knowledge the COT builds on.
13 original questions mapped to the official content areas. Answers stay in your browser.
COA®, COT® and COMT® are registered marks of IJCAHPO.
Frequently asked questions
What is COT certification?
COT (Certified Ophthalmic Technician) is the intermediate certification from IJCAHPO. It sits above COA and below COMT.
Source: IJCAHPO — Certified Ophthalmic Technician (COT®) (opens in a new tab)
How do I qualify for the COT exam?
There are four routes: graduate of an accredited ophthalmic technician program; current COA with 2,000 COA work hours under an ophthalmologist in the last 24 months; CO or OC(C) with 2,000 hours in 24 months; or current COA with 6,000 non-certified work hours verified by an ophthalmologist’s letter. Every route also needs 12 continuing education credits.
Source: IJCAHPO — Certified Ophthalmic Technician (COT®) (opens in a new tab)
How long is the COT exam?
The multiple-choice exam has 200 questions and a 180-minute limit. The Skill Evaluation has a 120-minute limit.
Source: IJCAHPO — Certified Ophthalmic Technician (COT®) (opens in a new tab)
How much does the COT exam cost?
IJCAHPO’s fee schedule lists $325 for the COT, which covers one multiple-choice attempt and one Skill Evaluation attempt. A first multiple-choice retest is $275 and a second is $150. A Skill Evaluation retest is $85. You apply to retest within 12 months of your first exam.
Is there a practice test for the COT?
IJCAHPO offers a practice Skill Evaluation for an extra fee ($85). Its COT page says there is no practice exam for the multiple-choice part.
Sources: IJCAHPO — Certified Ophthalmic Technician (COT®) (opens in a new tab) ; IJCAHPO — Examination Fees and Timelines (PDF, linked as “Fee Schedule and Timeline”) (opens in a new tab)
How long do I have to pass both parts?
You must pass the multiple-choice exam and the Skill Evaluation no later than 24 months after approval.
Source: IJCAHPO — Certified Ophthalmic Technician (COT®) (opens in a new tab)
Can students apply before graduating?
Yes. Students in an accredited program may apply up to 2 months before graduation. Results are held until IJCAHPO verifies the graduation.
Source: IJCAHPO — Certified Ophthalmic Technician (COT®) (opens in a new tab)
How do I keep my COT?
IJCAHPO certifications run for 36 months. To recertify a COT, you earn 27 credits in the cycle and pay the recertification fee, or retake the multiple-choice exam.
Official sources
- IJCAHPO — Certified Ophthalmic Technician (COT®) (opens in a new tab)
- IJCAHPO — Examination Fees and Timelines (PDF, linked as “Fee Schedule and Timeline”) (opens in a new tab)
- IJCAHPO — Recertification (opens in a new tab)
- IJCAHPO — COT certification requirements and Skill Evaluation (PDF) (opens in a new tab)
- IJCAHPO — COT and COMT examination content areas (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.