Continuing Education & Resources
Official certification pages, continuing education and free study material for the COA, COT, CPO and CPOA exams. Each card says which exams it serves. All links open in a new tab.
Official Organization
IJCAHPO (Official Certifying Body)
The International Joint Commission on Allied Health Personnel in Ophthalmology, which awards the COA, COT and COMT and several specialty credentials. Its site has exam applications, content outlines and recertification rules.
For: COA · COT
https://www.jcahpo.org/
IJCAHPO — Certified Ophthalmic Assistant (COA)
IJCAHPO's page for the entry-level Certified Ophthalmic Assistant credential, with its eligibility pathways and how to apply.
For: COA
https://www.jcahpo.org/certification/certifications/certified-ophthalmic-assistant/
IJCAHPO — Certified Ophthalmic Technician (COT)
IJCAHPO's page for the intermediate Certified Ophthalmic Technician credential, with its eligibility pathways and how to apply.
For: COT
https://www.jcahpo.org/certification/certifications/certified-ophthalmic-technician/
IJCAHPO — Certification FAQs
IJCAHPO's answers to common questions about applying for, scheduling and retaking its certification exams and getting the results.
For: COA · COT
https://www.jcahpo.org/certification/certification-faqs/
IJCAHPO — Recertification
IJCAHPO's page on keeping a certification current over each 36-month cycle by earning continuing education credits or by retesting.
For: COA · COT
https://www.jcahpo.org/certification/recertification/
AOA — Paraoptometric Certification
The AOA's page for the paraoptometric certifications run by its Commission on Paraoptometric Certification, including the entry-level CPO and the intermediate CPOA.
For: CPO · CPOA
https://www.aoa.org/education/paraoptometric-certification
AOA — CPC Examination Study Resources
The Commission on Paraoptometric Certification's study page for its exams, with a downloadable checklist of study materials and pointers to each exam's content outline.
For: CPO · CPOA
https://www.aoa.org/education/paraoptometric-certification/cpc-examination-study-resources
AOA — Maintaining and Renewing Your CPC Certification
The Commission on Paraoptometric Certification's page on renewing a CPO, CPOA or CPOT certification every three years with continuing education credits.
For: CPO · CPOA
https://www.aoa.org/education/paraoptometric-certification/maintaining-and-renewing-your-cpc-certification
CE Courses
IJCAHPO EyeCareCE
IJCAHPO's online library of continuing education courses for allied ophthalmic personnel, which carry IJCAHPO CE credit.
For: COA · COT
https://www.jcahpo.org/education/eyecarece/
AOA EyeLearn — CE and On-Demand Education
The AOA's EyeLearn library of on-demand courses and webinars for paraoptometrics and optometric staff, most of it an AOA member benefit and some of it carrying CPC continuing education credit.
For: CPO · CPOA
https://www.aoa.org/education/eyelearn-ce-and-on-demand-education
Study Guide
American Academy of Ophthalmology — Clinical Team Education
The American Academy of Ophthalmology's education page for technicians and other clinical team members, including its textbook course Ophthalmic Medical Assisting: An Independent Study Course and its online exam.
For: COA · COT
https://www.aao.org/clinical-teams/education
EyeGuru
A free ophthalmology learning site written by ophthalmology residents for residents, with short articles and image-based practice modules. Some parts need a free account.
For: All four
https://eyeguru.org/
Video Education
How to get certified
Who can take each exam, how to apply, what it covers and how to keep the credential, in plain words. Always confirm current details with IJCAHPO or the AOA before you apply.