NCLE Basic certification is the entry-level credential for contact lens technicians and opticians who fit and dispense contact lenses. You earn it by passing the Contact Lens Registry Examination (CLRE), administered by ABO-NCLE. Where the ABO exam centers on spectacles, the NCLE exam focuses on the contact lens process: prefitting, diagnostic fitting, dispensing, and follow-up care.
Exam format at a glance
| Questions | 125 multiple-choice questions (test specifications cover 100 scored items; a portion are unscored pretest items) |
|---|---|
| Time limit | 2 hours |
| Fee | $275 (non-refundable), as of Oct 2026; $75 to change window, date, time, or location. ABO-NCLE’s Oct–Dec 2026 registration pages list $275. The July 2026 Basic Exam Handbook still shows $225, so confirm the amount when you register. (source: ABO-NCLE Oct–Dec 2026 NCLE registration page (opens in a new tab)) |
| Combined option | A combined NCLE Basic and Practical option is offered — confirm the current fee with ABO-NCLE |
| Eligibility | High school diploma, GED, or equivalent |
| Delivery | Computer-based at Prometric test centers or by ProProctor remote proctoring; English and Spanish; on-screen scientific calculator |
| Scoring | Criterion-referenced (modified Angoff method) |
| Retakes | Wait 14 days after a failed attempt; after a third failed attempt, wait 90 days. Confirm retake fees with ABO-NCLE. |
2026 testing windows
- Jan 2 – Mar 31
- Apr 1 – Jun 30
- Jul 1 – Sep 30
- Oct 1 – Dec 21
There are no late registrations. For the Oct–Dec 2026 window, ABO-NCLE’s registration pages list Nov 15, 2026 as the last day to register. ABO-NCLE’s Basic Exam overview page still shows 2025 windows with a Dec 15 deadline; Nov 15, 2026 is the date on the 2026 registration pages.
What the exam covers
The CLRE test specifications describe 100 scored items across eight domains:
| Domain | Scored items |
|---|---|
| I. Ocular Anatomy, Physiology & Pathology | 12 |
| II. Refractive Errors | 5 |
| III. Instrumentation for Measurement & Observation | 12 |
| IV. Prefitting | 15 |
| V. Diagnostic Fitting | 11 |
| VI. Dispensing | 20 |
| VII. Follow-Up | 20 |
| VIII. Regulatory & Administrative | 5 |
Dispensing and follow-up care are 40% of the scored items. That means patient instruction, lens care, recognizing problems at follow-up visits, and knowing when to refer are just as important as fitting theory.
How to prepare
- Read the official handbook. Start with the content outline and policies in the ABO-NCLE Basic Exam Handbook.
- Get the optics right. Vertex distance and keratometry calculations come up repeatedly in contact lens work.
- Learn fit patterns. Know what a tight versus loose soft lens looks like and how to read gas-permeable fluorescein patterns.
- Focus on follow-up. Review common wear-related complications and the signs that mean a patient should see the prescriber.
- Practice and review. Try our free NCLE sample quiz and read every explanation, even for questions you got right.
Keeping your certification
NCLE certification renews every 3 years; CECs must be earned within the cycle, with no carry-over. NCLE-certified technicians need 18 approved CECs, including at least 9 NCLE-approved ophthalmic CECs. Holders of both credentials follow the joint requirement: ABO: 9 CECs (at least 5 ophthalmic) + NCLE: 12 CECs (at least 6 ophthalmic).
Official ABO-NCLE pages currently show different renewal fees and grace-period policies, so we don't publish either until it's confirmed.
Common questions
Answered with official sources on our FAQ pages:
Official sources
- ABO-NCLE — Basic Exam overview (opens in a new tab)
- ABO-NCLE — Register for an Exam (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)
- Prometric — ABO-NCLE exam listing (opens in a new tab)
Last reviewed . Requirements, fees, and dates change — always confirm with the official source before you register or apply.