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Paraoptometric Center

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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!

< Exams & Education

Information for State and Regional Optometric Associations

The Commission on Paraoptometric Certification has made provisions to allow for some international, regional, and/or state optometric conferences to administer of the written examinations. All three examinations may be given at/in the same time/room. A 30 candidate minimum can be an aggregate of candidates for all levels of certification. For example, there may be 15 candidates for the CPO level, 10 for the CPOA level, and 5 for the CPOT level. The CPOT Practical Examination shall not be included.

The Commission on Paraoptometric Certification must remain fiscally responsible to both the organization and the certification candidate. Therefore, it is mandatory that the regional meeting entity complete and sign a binding contract agreeing to these terms.

Procedures to Schedule a Paraoptometric Written Examination

Contract

Click here to download a contract, or request one from the Commission on Paraoptometric Certification office.
Send completed contract to the Commission on Paraoptometric Certification office no later than six months prior to the scheduled examination date.
The Commission on Paraoptometric Certification reviews the application and notifies the applicant association of its status within two weeks of receipt of a completed contract. A binding acceptance is not complete until a signed contract is returned to the applicant association by the CPC.

Publicity and Marketing

The state is encouraged to advertise the examination in state association publications, meeting registration materials, and at meetings. Please be sure that any promotional material and signage include "AOA Paraoptometric Certification Examination." The CPC also encourages the indication of the sponsors' names and/or logos. The sponsor of Paraoptometric Certification is CIBA Vision, A Novartis Company. Please contact the AOA CPC office for camera ready logos if needed.

Registration

An association-sponsored registration program must include the following information:

Which examination is being offered, and when and where it will take place.
That the candidate must contact the AOA CPC for an official application. Only the official AOA Certified Paraoptometric Examination Application will be accepted.
The mandatory application deadline.
A notification that all fees must be included in the AOA CPC application.

Under no circumstances are the state/regional meeting entities to collect the applications or fees.

On-Site Registration

Because of the strict application deadline dates, on-site registration for any examination is not permitted.

Room Set-up and Audio Visual Needs

The examination room set-up includes 6-8 foot tables allowing only two chairs per table. If all levels of examinations are being offered, they must all be held in the same room at the same time. Four hours is the required time for the examination applicants.

No audio visual is required. A registration table will be needed outside the classroom door for the test administrator to admit each participant. Additionally, a minimum of two tables will need to be set up in the rear of the room where the participants may place their personal belongings.

The AOA CPC will contact the designated applicant association with the number of registrants at least two weeks prior to the examination date.