For most ophthalmic assistants who plan to stay in the field, COA® is worth weighing seriously. It costs $300 to sit the exam, takes 18 credits every 36 months to keep, and it is the first step to COT® and COMT®: the work-hour routes to COT start from a current COA. IJCAHPO certification is voluntary, so the payoff depends on your employer and your plans.
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What it costs
| Item | Fee |
|---|---|
| COA exam | $300 |
| First retest / second retest | $250 / $150 |
| Official COA practice exam | $150, plus $150 more within 30 days if you pass the real exam |
| Rush application processing (optional) | $50 |
| Recertification, every 36 months | $125 |
Source: IJCAHPO Fee Schedule and Timeline. Add the cost of any prep you buy. Some employers pay the exam fee, so ask before you apply. More detail: COA exam cost and passing score.
What it takes to keep
COA certification lasts 36 months. To renew, you earn 18 credits in the cycle, get your sponsoring ophthalmologist to sign the application, and pay $125. You can retake the exam instead of earning credits. See COA recertification. Source: IJCAHPO recertification.
What it leads to
COA is the first rung of IJCAHPO’s ladder. Two of the four routes to COT start from a current COA: 2,000 hours working as a COA in 24 months, or 6,000 non-certified work hours verified by an ophthalmologist. A current COT can then work toward COMT. Sources: COT and COMT pages.
How to decide
COA is likely worth it if:
- you plan to stay in ophthalmic work and may go for COT or COMT later;
- jobs you want list COA as required or preferred;
- your employer covers the fee or pays more for certified staff.
It may be less useful if you’re moving into optometry (the AOA’s paraoptometric certifications fit there) or into opticianry (see ABO certification).
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COA®, COT® and COMT® are registered marks of IJCAHPO.
Frequently asked questions
How much does COA certification cost?
IJCAHPO’s fee schedule lists $300 for the COA exam, $250 for a first retest and $150 for a second retest. Recertification is $125 every 36 months.
What does it take to keep a COA?
COA certification lasts 36 months. You need 18 credits in each cycle plus the recertification fee, or you can retake the exam.
Does COA lead anywhere?
Yes. A current COA with 2,000 COA work hours in 24 months (route T2) or 6,000 non-certified work hours (route T4) can apply for COT. COT then opens a work-hour route to COMT.
Sources: IJCAHPO — Certified Ophthalmic Technician (COT®) (opens in a new tab) ; IJCAHPO — Certified Ophthalmic Medical Technologist (COMT®) (opens in a new tab)
Is COA certification required to work as an ophthalmic assistant?
IJCAHPO certification is voluntary. Whether your employer asks for it is up to them, so check the job postings where you want to work.
Source: IJCAHPO — Core Certification Criteria Handbook (PDF) (opens in a new tab)
Will COA certification raise my pay?
We don’t publish pay figures. Ask your employer whether they pay more for certified staff or cover the exam fee.
Official sources
- 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 Medical Technologist (COMT®) (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.