Optometry's Meeting™ |  Optometry's Career Center |  Ask a Question |  Site Map  
OOA Home
About the OOA| Doctors| Allied Eye Professionals| Students and Educators| Media Center
  
Allied Eye Professionals
<  Exams & Education

Renewal



Requirements For Renewal
Commission on Paraoptometric Certification

Designation Renewal Requirements

Rationale

Recertification in a specialty area through maintenance of continuing education requirements and helps professionals remain current in the field and aware of recent development in research, theory and practice. Certification renewal indicates adherence to the expected levels of standards of professional growth. Recertification shows that a professional is up to date and at the leading edge of developments in the profession. Recertification is a commitment to career-long learning. The principle of lifelong learning is central to maintenance of competence and, by extension, to ensuring the public can expect high professional standards from their optometric assistants.

Purpose of Renewal

The Commission on Paraoptometric Certification (CPC) renewal program ensures certified paraoptometrics remain current in optometric assisting skills and knowledge. The purpose of recertification is to ensure that certified paraoptometrics maintain their competence to practice by increasing their knowledge, encouraging interaction with peers and meeting professional standards.

Participation and General Requirements

Those who hold a designation of CPO, CPOA or CPOT must participate in continuing education activities and report such activities to the CPC every three years. They must earn a minimum of 18 hours every three years. Failure to meet this requirement will result in loss of CPC designation.

PLEASE NOTE: Credits cannot be carried over from previous renewal cycles.

Schedule

Renewals are due every third year on July 1. The cycle is set on a calendar year. For example, if CPO certification is earned between January-December 2009, the renewal would be due on July 1, 2012. If a higher designated level is earned the following year, the renewal date would then be due one year later. For example, if a CPO who earned this designation in 2009 then earned a CPOA designation in 2010, the renewal would be due July 1, 2013.

Renewal Activities/Courses

The CPC determines what education/activity is acceptable for renewal.

Notification

Usually in late January, the CPC will send a letter reminding certificants that their certification is due in July of that year.

In early June of your renewal year, the CPC will send an official notification stating a certificants renewal is due on July 1 of the current year. All documented proof of continuing education must be submitted with the statement and the renewal fee indicated. Do not send payment without enclosing continuing education credits. If renewal fee and documentation is received after July 31, an additional $25 late fee will be charged.

Keeping Track of Credits

Certificants are responsible for keeping track of their own activities and compiling supporting documentation.

Set up a file or binder for all CPC materials. It is very important to set up a personal procedure for tracking CPC renewal credits. A file or pocket folder or a 3-ring binder may be helpful. Keep this CPC Certification Renewal Guide, supporting documents and a running list of CPC credits earned in this file.

Keep original documentation that verifies credit earned. Retain all documentation supporting renewal—it must be submitted to renew. Be sure the information includes your name and date of course or activity and is validated by the sponsor or educator. It must also state in number of hours the length of the activity or course. See below for what credit is accepted. Reporting Do not report until notified. Do not report or send documentation or payment until you receive your statement.

Counting CPC Approved Hours

Keep track of hours as they are earned. When maintaining records, certificants may have credits that include a portion of a full hour. For example, a credit of 1.5 hours may be earned. Keep track of these as they may be needed at the time of renewal. Total points are not rounded up. For example, 17.5 credit hours earned at the end of the renewal cycle will not meet the requirement of 18 hours.

Points earned during a cycle may be claimed for that cycle only. Points do not carry over. Credits earned for renewal are only acceptable if they were earned within the three-year cycle. For example, if someone is certified in 2009 with a renewal in July 2012, the CPC will only accept credit from 2009-2012.

Notification of Renewal

The CPC will review credits earned and determine if they are acceptable according to the guidelines.

CPC Renewal Approved-Those who meet the renewal requirements and submit the appropriate fee by the due date will receive a letter of renewal acceptance along with an updated certificate.

CPC Renewal Not Approved-Those who do not meet the renewal requirements (18 hours and renewal fee) will receive a letter of explanation. At that time, they may request an extension of time to renew. If the issue is resolved, and the certificant reapply for renewal by submitting the required documentation and fee, the CPC will send notification that the requirements were met and update your record accordingly. Renewals received after July 31 will be subject to the late fee.

Renewal Fees

Renewal fee for all CPC-certified individuals is $75 Renewals received after the due date will be charged a late fee of $25

Reacquiring CPC Designation-Those who do not renew their certification and lose their designation have a three-year period from the renewal date during which they can reacquire the certification designation lost. They must register, pay and successfully pass the examination of the designation that was lost. If it is longer than three years after losing a designation for failing to meet CPC Renewal Requirements, they must reapply and begin at the first level of CPO. For example, a CPOA who has not renewed will have three years in which to retest at that level. If the CPOA wishes to recertify after that three-year period, that individual will need to start at the CPO level.

Appeals Procedures

Any applicant may make a written appeal of any decisions made by the CPC relating to renewal compliance. In the appeal, an applicant may: Seek an extension of time to complete the CPC renewal requirements, or Seek a partial exemption from the requirements. All appeals must be addressed to the CPC administrator in writing within 60 days of notification of not having complied with CPC requirements. The CPC reviews and acts on all appeals.

Exemptions

An appeal in writing may be sent to request a partial exemption from CPC renewal requirements. An exemption allows the CPC to waive part or all of the requirements when there is an undue hardship, incapacity or disability or other extenuating circumstances. Supporting documents must accompany the written request to provide justification.

Acceptable Requirements-Accepted Education Sponsors for Renewal

  • American Optometric Association
  • AOA Paraoptometric Section
  • Schools and Colleges of Optometry
  • Regional and International Optometric Conferences
  • COPE approved courses
  • JCAHPO approved courses
  • ABO and NCLE approved courses
  • State Optometric Associations State or Local Paraoptometric Associations
  • College of Optometrists in Vision Development (COVD)
  • Optometric Extension Program Foundation approved courses
  • Recognized Paraoptometric Institutions Providers pre-approved by the CPC
  • American Heart Association or American Red Cross CPR and First Aid Courses (four hours maximum)

NOTE: If you are unsure about the acceptance of your education prior to submission, contact the CPC office for determination.

Accepted Activities for Renewal

  1. Oral presentation of lectures and/or workshops approved by the CPC or above approved providers
  2. Authorship or co-authorship of work-related articles and manuscripts approved by the CPC or above approved providers

Suggested Subject Matter

  • Anatomy and Physiology
  • Basic Procedures
  • Coding Workshop
  • Contact Lenses
  • Corneal Topography
  • Corrective Surgery
  • CPR Certified/First Aid
  • HIPAA
  • Low Vision
  • Ophthalmic Optics and Dispensing
  • Ophthalmic Pharmacology
  • Practice Management
  • Refractive Status of the Eye
  • Special Procedures