ABO Basic exam FAQ
Eligibility, the $275 fee (since Oct 1, 2026; the July 2026 handbook still lists $225), format, scoring, retakes, testing windows, and renewal. (24 questions)
Certification FAQ
Short, direct answers to the questions candidates ask most — each one linked to the official ABO-NCLE or IJCAHPO source.
Facts reviewed
Every answer below was checked against official ABO-NCLE and IJCAHPO pages and documents on that date, and each answer links to its source. Fees, dates, and policies change, so confirm details with the certifying body before you register or apply. Answers marked “Unverified” could not be confirmed from official sources.
Questions by exam
NCLE Basic exam FAQ
Who can test, cost, what the CLRE covers, scoring, retakes, and renewal. (24 questions)
COA® exam FAQ
Eligibility pathways, the $300 fee (IJCAHPO fee schedule dated Feb 2025), the 200-question exam, retests, and recertification. (20 questions)
ABO vs NCLE vs COA: common questions
What is the difference between ABO, NCLE, and COA certification?
ABO and NCLE certify opticians, while COA certifies ophthalmic assistants. The ABO Basic exam (NOCE) covers eyeglass dispensing and the NCLE Basic exam (CLRE) covers contact lens fitting and dispensing; both come from the American Board of Opticianry and National Contact Lens Examiners (ABO-NCLE). The Certified Ophthalmic Assistant (COA) credential comes from IJCAHPO and is its entry-level core certification for allied ophthalmic personnel.
Sources: ABO-NCLE — Basic Exam overview (opens in a new tab) ; IJCAHPO — Certified Ophthalmic Assistant (COA) (opens in a new tab)
See also: ABO exam FAQ ; NCLE exam FAQ ; COA exam FAQ
Which certification should I get first?
Pick the exam that matches the work you do: ABO for eyeglass dispensing, NCLE for contact lenses, and COA if you assist in an ophthalmology practice. ABO and NCLE require only a high school diploma, GED, or equivalent, while COA eligibility requires an accredited training program or a combination of supervised work hours and an approved course. If your state licenses opticians, check what its board requires before you register.
Sources: ABO-NCLE — Basic Exam overview (opens in a new tab) ; IJCAHPO — Certified Ophthalmic Assistant (COA) (opens in a new tab)
See also: Optician license requirements by state ; ABO vs NCLE
How do the ABO, NCLE, and COA exams compare in length and cost?
The ABO and NCLE Basic exams each have 125 multiple-choice questions in 2 hours and cost $275 as of October 1, 2026, while the COA exam has 200 questions in 180 minutes and costs $300 for the initial attempt. A portion of the ABO and NCLE questions are unscored pretest items. ABO-NCLE’s July 2026 Basic Exam Handbook still lists $225; the current registration pages list $275. IJCAHPO’s fee schedule is dated Feb 2025. Fees change, so confirm them with ABO-NCLE or IJCAHPO before you apply.
Sources: ABO-NCLE — ABO Basic Examination, Oct–Dec 2026 registration (opens in a new tab) ; ABO-NCLE — NCLE Basic Examination, Oct–Dec 2026 registration (opens in a new tab) ; ABO-NCLE Basic Exam Handbook (July 2026 edition, linked from the Register page) (opens in a new tab) ; IJCAHPO — Certified Ophthalmic Assistant (COA) (opens in a new tab) ; IJCAHPO — Fee schedule and timelines, dated Feb 2025 (PDF) (opens in a new tab)
See also: ABO exam cost and passing score
Are passing scores published for the ABO, NCLE, or COA exams?
No. ABO-NCLE and IJCAHPO both set passing scores with a modified Angoff method and do not publish a passing percentage, so any “you need 70%” figure you see online did not come from them. The standard is fixed in advance rather than curved against other candidates.
Sources: ABO-NCLE Basic Exam Handbook (July 2026 edition, linked from the Register page) (opens in a new tab) ; IJCAHPO — Certification and Recertification Procedures and Policies (PDF) (opens in a new tab)
See also: ABO exam cost and passing score
Do I need a certification or license to work as an optician?
It depends on your state. Some states license opticians and use ABO-NCLE exams in their licensing process, and ABO-NCLE advises candidates to confirm requirements with their state licensing board before registering. If your state board’s rules differ from ABO-NCLE’s, the state requirement takes precedence.
Sources: ABO-NCLE — Basic Exam overview (opens in a new tab) ; ABO-NCLE Basic Exam Handbook (July 2026 edition, linked from the Register page) (opens in a new tab) ; ABO-NCLE — Opticianry Licensing Boards directory (opens in a new tab)
See also: Optician license requirements by state
How long do ABO, NCLE, and COA certifications last?
All three must be renewed every three years. ABO and NCLE certificants renew with approved continuing education credits and a fee; COA certificants recertify every 36 months with 18 IJCAHPO continuing education credits and a fee, or by retesting.
Sources: ABO-NCLE — Basic Certification Renewal (opens in a new tab) ; IJCAHPO — Recertification (opens in a new tab)
Are optical.education practice questions taken from the real exams?
No. Every practice question on optical.education is written from scratch for study purposes and is not copied from or based on any actual exam form or official sample question. Both ABO-NCLE and IJCAHPO prohibit sharing live exam content.
Sources: ABO-NCLE Basic Exam Handbook (July 2026 edition, linked from the Register page) (opens in a new tab) ; IJCAHPO — Core Criteria Handbook (PDF) (opens in a new tab)
See also: Free practice tests
Is optical.education affiliated with ABO-NCLE or IJCAHPO?
No. optical.education is an independent study resource and is not affiliated with, endorsed by, or sponsored by ABO-NCLE, IJCAHPO, or any state board. optical.education study materials are not continuing education courses and do not award CE credit.
See also: Disclaimer ; About us
Budgeting for the exam? See ABO and NCLE exam cost and passing score. Preparing for the COA? Read how to study for the COA exam. Looking for licensing rules? See optician license requirements by state. Ready to practice? Try our free practice tests.
Official sources
- ABO-NCLE — Basic Exam overview (opens in a new tab)
- ABO-NCLE — ABO Basic Examination, Oct–Dec 2026 registration (opens in a new tab)
- ABO-NCLE — NCLE Basic Examination, Oct–Dec 2026 registration (opens in a new tab)
- ABO-NCLE Basic Exam Handbook (July 2026 edition, linked from the Register page) (opens in a new tab)
- ABO-NCLE — Basic Certification Renewal (opens in a new tab)
- ABO-NCLE — Opticianry Licensing Boards directory (opens in a new tab)
- IJCAHPO — Certified Ophthalmic Assistant (COA) (opens in a new tab)
- IJCAHPO — Fee schedule and timelines, dated Feb 2025 (PDF) (opens in a new tab)
- IJCAHPO — Recertification (opens in a new tab)
- IJCAHPO — Core Criteria Handbook (PDF) (opens in a new tab)
- IJCAHPO — Certification and Recertification Procedures and Policies (PDF) (opens in a new tab)
Last reviewed . Requirements, fees, and dates change — always confirm with the official source before you register or apply.
Independent study resource
Not affiliated with or endorsed by ABO-NCLE, IJCAHPO, or any state board. Not medical advice. Practice questions are original and don't guarantee a passing score. Verify current requirements with the official source. Read the full disclaimer.