Certified Ophthalmic Medical Technologist
The Certified Ophthalmic Medical Technologist (COMT) is the advanced level core designation that recognizes accomplished eye care professionals who have progressed through the COA and COT levels or are COMT training program graduates.
Eligibility Requirements
Individuals interested in IJCAHPO certification must first establish eligibility to test. The eligibility pathways should be reviewed prior to submitting an examination application and related fees. IJCAHPO retains the sole authority to establish eligibility requirements and final decisions regarding examination eligibility.
To be eligible, candidates must meet one of the five following education and work experience categories:
COMT-TG1: Training Program Graduates With College/University Credits
Required Education
International Council of Accreditation (ICA) accredited training program at the Medical Technologist level and two or more years of college education.*
- If you completed the program more than 12 months ago, you will need to submit 12 IJCAHPO CE credits for each year following graduation. The credits must be earned within 36 months prior to submitting your application. View CE opportunities.
- Documentation of successful completion of two or more years of college and/or university level courses (90 quarter or 60 semester credits).
REQUIRED WORK EXPERIENCE
None necessary.
COMT-TG2: Training Program Graduates
Required Education
International Council of Accreditation (ICA) accredited training program at the Medical Technologist level and less than two years of college education.*
- If you completed the program more than 12 months ago, you will need to submit 12 IJCAHPO CE credits for each year following graduation. The credits must be earned within 36 months prior to submitting your application. View CE opportunities.
REQUIRED WORK EXPERIENCE
Employed 4,000 hours under the supervision of an ophthalmologist within 24 months prior to submitting your application.
COMT-TG3: Current COT
Required Education
Current COT and IJCAHPO CE credits.
- You will need to submit 12 IJCAHPO CE credits earned within 12 months prior to submitting your application. View CE opportunities.
- Must maintain certification as a COT while pursuing COMT certification.
REQUIRED WORK EXPERIENCE
Employed 6,000 hours as a COT under the supervision of an ophthalmologist within 60 months prior to submitting your application.
COMT-TG4: Current Certified Orthoptist
Required Education
Current Certified Orthoptist (CO) or Orthoptist Certified in Canada (OC(C)) certification and IJCAHPO CE credits.
- You will need to submit 12 IJCAHPO CE credits earned within 12 months prior to submitting your application. View CE opportunities.
- Must maintain certification as an Orthoptist while pursuing COMT certification.
REQUIRED WORK EXPERIENCE
Employed 4,000 hours as a CO or OC(C) within 60 months prior to submitting your application.
COMT-TG5: Current COT Fast Track
Fast Track Option: Allows a current COT the use of 6,000 hours of non-certified work experience and IJCAHPO CE credits.
REQUIRED EDUCATION
- You will need to submit 12 IJCAHPO CE credits earned within 12 months prior to submitting your application. View CE opportunities.
- Must maintain certification as COT while pursuing COMT certification.
REQUIRED WORK EXPERIENCE
Employed 3,000 hours as a COT
and
6,000 hours of non-certified work experience under the supervision of an ophthalmologist. Verification of previous work experience needs to be in the form of a letter from your ophthalmologist on official letterhead.
*Certification examination candidates who attend a formal training program may apply for the certification examinations, including the practical examinations, up to two months prior to graduation from the program; however, no examination results will be sent by IJCAHPO to the candidate until official notification of graduation is received and if applicable, verification of work experience.
Examination Information
The IJCAHPO certification process is examination-based. Examinations are based on research conducted every five years to determine the typical tasks performed by Allied Ophthalmic Personnel (AOP). These tasks are grouped into categories, and the examinations are designed to include questions pertaining to each category.
COMT certification requires successful completion of the multiple-choice examination, COT Skill Evaluation, and COMT Performance Test. Current COTs are not required to retake the COT Skill Evaluation.
Timeline
Certification applications must be received within the allotted time frame in each eligibility pathway. Application for the multiple-choice examination retest must be received within 12 months of initial examination.
The multiple-choice examination and all practical examinations must be completed within 36 months of application approval.
practice examination
If you are required to take the COT Skill Evaluation, a practice examination is available for an additional fee. You may choose this option by marking it on your Skill Evaluation form that you receive after passing the COMT multiple-choice examination. There is not a practice examination for the COMT multiple-choice examination or Performance Test.
Scheduling & Test Center
Candidates may schedule their examination at a Pearson VUE test center upon receipt of the confirmation notice. Candidates may use the toll-free number (888) 231-1929 or go online to www.pearsonvue.com/jcahpo to schedule their examination. A current list of test sites may also be viewed at www.pearsonvue.com/jcahpo by selecting “Find a Test Site.”
IJCAHPO does not control test site availability or examination scheduling. To avoid scheduling complications, schedule examination times promptly after receiving the confirmation notice.
Multiple-Choice Examination Length
180 Minutes
Number of Exam Questions
190
Initial Skill Evaluation Exam Length
120 Minutes
Initial Performance Test Length
60 Minutes
Resources
IJCAHPO Core Certification Criteria Handbook
Scheduling & Taking the Examination
Skill Evaluation Content Areas
Special Accommodations
IJCAHPO and its test vendors do not discriminate against individuals with disabilities and make every effort to reasonably accommodate candidates with documented disabilities as defined by the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA). If you have a disability as defined under the ADA, you must notify IJCAHPO by submitting a form regarding your request from your physician or a qualified healthcare professional.
Special Considerations
If an applicant does not meet the IJCAHPO eligibility criteria, but believes that their education, training, and/or experience are equivalent, they may request special consideration. People who received ophthalmic training outside the United States and Canada may be among those qualifying for special consideration.
The special consideration process is designed to serve an applicant who’s educational and/or employment background is different from the established eligibility criteria but may be deemed equivalent. Contact the IJCAHPO Certification Department for information on the documentation required to support special consideration requests.
How to Prepare
Build your confidence by studying all areas of the examination content thoroughly. Use multiple resources, take practice quizzes and tests, and make sure you understand what you are studying. View the resources IJCAHPO has available to help you prepare for your examination.
Study Resources
Quick Study Cards and Study Guides to help you prepare for your certification examination.
Learning Systems
If the COT Skill Evaluation is required, prepare with this computer-based simulation series.
Certification Exam Prep Sessions
Offered live and virtually, attend this course to prepare for the written certification examination.
Apply Now
Once you have met the requirements to apply for the COMT examination, submit your application online or by mail.
In Need of Recertification?
Maintaining certification is just as important as earning it. Review the requirements to recertify and submit your application.