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The Commission on Paraoptometric Certification thanks CIBA Vision for their generous support.





Committed. Proud. Certified. Look for the CPC promotional poster!


<  Certification Levels

Certified Paraoptometric (CPO)



Commission on Paraoptometric Certification announces fee increase for 2008 exams.

General Information

The Certified Paraoptometric Examination is prepared and administered by the AOA Commission on Paraoptometric Certification (CPC) with the assistance of the Professional Testing Corporation. The purpose of this examination is to ensure a level of knowledge to perform the functions of a Certified Paraoptometric. Those who successfully complete the examination will be certified with the CPC as a Certified Paraoptometric (CPO).

Objectives of Certification

The CPC promotes excellence in the field of optometric assisting by:

  1. Recognizing formally those individuals who meet all requirements of the Commission on Paraoptometric Certification of the American Optometric Association;
  2. Encouraging continued growth of the paraoptometric;
  3. Establishing and measuring the level of knowledge required for certification of paraoptometrics; and
  4. Promoting a standard of requisite knowledge required for certification; thereby assisting the employer, public, and members of the health professions in the assessment of paraoptometrics.

Eligibility

To sit for the Certified Paraoptometric Examination, the following requirements must be met:

  1. Applicants must have a minimum of a high school diploma or equivalent.
  2. Applicants must have a minimum of 6 months employment in the eye care field.

Application Procedure

  1. Obtain an application for the Certified Paraoptometric Examination online, request an application by phone (800-365-2219 ext. 4210), email or by mail to AOA CPC, 243 N. Lindbergh Blvd., St. Louis, MO 63141-7881.
  2. The AOA CPC must receive the original application and appropriate fees for the examination by the listed deadline.
  3. All correspondence regarding the application should be directed to the AOA CPC.

Fees for Examination

1. CPO Examination Fee $225
2. Special Testing Center $125 (see handbook)

(Effective January 1, 2007, candidates will need to contact the AOA Paraoptometric Section and order the CPO Study Guide.)

A check or credit card information for the appropriate fee must accompany your application. Make check or money order payable to the American Optometric Association in U.S. funds. No refunds will be made.

Study Outline

This outline for Paraoptometric Certification provides information on the content of the  CPO - Certified Paraoptometric Examination. The following outline includes a brief explanation of the areas covered in the Study Guide/Workbook and on the examination. You should be familiar with all the terms, meanings, and use of the terms below. All of the questions on the examination are of the objective, multiple choice type.

  1. Basic Science (29%)

    1. Anatomy
      1. Definitions of Anatomical Parts
      2. Function
    2. Common Eye Disorders
      1. Definitions
      2. Causes
    3. Terminology
      1. Prefixes
      2. Suffixes
      3. Root Words
    4. Surgery
    5. Basic Pharmacology

  2. Clinical Principles and Procedures (37%)

    1. Eye Examination
      1. Case History
      2. Visual Acuity
      3. Keratometry
      4. Retinoscopy
      5. Subjective Refraction
      6. Ophthalmoscopy
      7. Binocular Vision
      8. Tonometry
      9. Visual Fields
      10. Biomicroscopy
      11. Fundus Photography
      12. Tomography
      13. Topography
    2. Refractive Status
      1. Emmetropia
      2. Myopia
      3. Hyperopia
      4. Astigmatism
      5. Presbyopia
      6. Accommodation
    3. Contact Lenses
      1. Soft
      2. Rigid
      3. Care and Handling
      4. Patient Education
      5. Base Curve Radius
      6. Lens Power
      7. Overall Diameter
      8. Optical Zone Diameter
      9. Peripheral Curves
      10. Edge and Center Thickness

  3. Ophthalmic Optics and Dispensing (22%)

    1. Ophthalmic Prescription
      1. Components of a Lens Prescription
      2. Add Power
      3. Prism
      4. Optics
    2. Ophthalmic Lenses
      1. Types of Lenses
      2. Lens Materials
      3. Neutralization
    3. Ophthalmic Dispensing
      1. Frame Anatomy
      2. Sizes and Measurements
      3. Basics of Frame Selection
      4. PD/Segment Height
      5. Ordering
      6. Basic Adjustments

  4. Professional Issues (12%)

    1. Eyecare Specialists and Ancillary Personnel
    2. Practice Management
      1. Telephone Techniques
      2. Appointments
      3. Record Filing Systems
      4. Recalls
      5. Fee Presentation
      6. Collections
      7. Third Party Payments
      8. HIPAA