Joint Commission on Allied Health Personnel in Ophthalmology (JCAHPO)

Certified Ophthalmic Medical Technologist (COMT)

Credential: Certified Ophthalmic Medical Technologist (COMT)  GI Bill resource
Credentialing Agency: Joint Commission on Allied Health Personnel in Ophthalmology (JCAHPO)

Renewal Period: 3 years

The Joint Commission on Allied Health Personnel in Ophthalmology (JCAHPO), Certified Ophthalmic Medical Technologist (COMT) certification is an advanced-level credential for individuals who work in eye care. The COMT is JCAHPO's third core-level designation after the entry-level Certified Ophthalmic Assistant (COA) certification, and the intermediate-level Certified Ophthalmic Technician (COT) certification. COMTs work under the supervision and direction of ophthalmologists to perform ophthalmic clinical duties. COMTs are trained to do COA-level and COT-level tasks, plus more advanced-level technician work. Candidates must meet education and experiential requirements as well as pass an examination.

More information can be found on the certifying agency's website.

Certified Ophthalmic Medical Technologist (COMT)

MINIMUM REQUIREMENTS

 

Eligibility Requirements (View Details)

  • Credential Prerequisite
  • Experience: 4000 hours
  • Education: Accredited Program
  • Training
  • Membership
  • Other
  • Fee

Note: This credential may have multiple options for becoming eligible. Listed are the minimum requirements based on the minimum degree required. To view other options, see the Eligibility tab.

Exam Requirements (View Details)

  • Exam
  • Written Exam
  • Oral Exam
  • Practical Exam
  • Performance Assessment

RECERTIFICATION SUMMARY

Renewal Period: 3 years

  • Continuing Education
  • Exam
  • Continuing Education OR Exam
  • Fee
  • Other

AGENCY CONTACT INFORMATION

Joint Commission on Allied Health Personnel in Ophthalmology (JCAHPO)

2025 Woodlane Drive
St. Paul, MN  55125-2998

Phone: (800) 284-3937

Fax: (651) 731-0410
Email: jcahpo@jcahpo.org

Education/Training and/or Experience REQUIREMENTS

To qualify for certification at the COMT level, applicants must meet one of the following five options:

Option 1:

COMT-TG1: COA-OMP or CMA1 accredited training program at the technologist level and two or more years of college education. 

  • If the applicant completed the program more than 12 months ago, he or she will need to submit 12 JCAHPO Group A credits for each year following graduation.
  • Successful completion of two or more years of college and/or university-level courses (90 quarter or 60 semester credits).

Option 2:

COMT-TG2: COA-OMP or CMA1 accredited training program at the technologist level & less than two years of college education.

  • If applicant completed the program more than 12 months ago, he or she will need to submit 12 JCAHPO Group A credits for each year following graduation. The credits must be earned within 36 months prior to submitting the application.
  • Employed 4,000 hours within 24 months prior to submitting application.

Option 3:

COMPT-TG3: Current COT certification and JCAHPO Group A credits.

  • Applicant will need to submit 12 JCAHPO Group A credits earned within
  • 12 months prior to submitting his or her application.
  • Applicant must maintain certification as an Orthoptist while pursuing COT certification.
  • Applicant must have employment experience totaling 6,000 hours as a COT.

Option 4:

COMPT-TG4: Current CO or OC(C) certification and JCAHPO Group A credits.

  • Applicant will need to submit 12 JCAHPO Group A credits earned within 12 months prior to submitting your application.
  • Applicant must maintain certification as an Orthoptist while pursuing COMT certification.
  • Applicant must have employment experience totaling 4,000 hours as a CO or
  • OC(C) within 60 months prior to submitting application.

Option 5:

COMT – TG5: Fast-Track option – Allows a current COT the use of 6,000 hours of non-certified work experience prior to becoming certified, and JCAHPO Group A credits.

  • Applicant must submit 12 JCAHPO Group A credits earned within 12 months prior to submitting your application.
  • Applicant must maintain certification as a COA while pursuing COT certification.
  • Applicant must have employment experience totaling 3,000 hours as a COT and
  • Applicant must have 6,000 hours of non-certified work experience with an ophthalmologist prior to becoming JCAHPO certified. Verification of previous work experience needs to be in the form of a letter from employer-ophthalmologist on official letterhead.

Written Exam

  • History Taking (3%)
  • Pupillary Assessment (4%)
  • Equipment Maintenance and Repair (3%)
  • Lensometry (6%)
  • Keratometry (3%)
  • Medical Ethics, Legal, and Regulatory Issues (5%)
  • Microbiology (5%)
  • Pharmacology (8%)
  • Ocular Motility (11%)
  • Assisting in Surgical Procedures (3%)
  • Ophthalmic Patient Services and Education (10%)
  • Ophthalmic Imaging (6%)
  • Refractometry (6%)
  • Supplemental Skills (10%)
  • Tonometry (5%)
  • Visual Assessment (6%)
  • Visual Fields (6%)

Skill Test

  • Lensometry
  • Visual Fields
  • Ocular Motility
  • Keratometry
  • Retinoscopy
  • Refinement
  • Tonometry

Performance Exam Requirements

Candidates will be asked to demonstrate their skill in each of the following five areas:

  • Measure patient’s ocular motility using prism and cover tests at a distance.
  • Perform manual lensometry: Identify and measure prism.
  • Perform fundus photography and identify fluorescein angiography phases.
  • Measure, compare, and evaluate pupil function at a distance.
  • Evaluate versions and ductions, identifying any abnormalities.

RECERTIFICATION

Certified Ophthalmic Medical Technologist (COMT)

Renewal Period: 3 years

The Certified Ophthalmic Medical Technologist (COMT) credential has the following recertification information:

  • Candidates must earn 36 Credits with a minimum of 18 JCAHPO Group A credits. The other 18 credits may be Group A or Group B credits. All credits must be earned within the 36 month recertification cycle.
  • Candidates may also successfully complete the COMT multiple-choice exam in lieu of earning credits for recertification.

In Demand

This certification is considered in demand

COOL Bucks

See your installation Education Service Officer for credential exam information and coordinating instructions.

COOL Summary

Click to go to the COOL Summary page for this MOC.

Some

Credential is related to some tasks associated with the duties of the military occupation (at least one critical task but less than 80%)

Most

Credential is directly related to most of the major duties associated with the military occupation (at least 80%)

Other

Credential is related to this military occupation, but is more advanced or specialized and therefore will likely require additional education, training, or experience

Promotion Points

This certification has been approved for promotion points.

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Star

Star credentials are MOS enhancing, as designated by the Proponent. MOS enhancing credentials are directly related to an MOS or ASI, are taught either partially or completely as part of a Program of Instruction (POI), and improves the MOS technical proficiency.

Skill Level

The Skill Level reflects the level, based on MOS training and/or experience, the Soldier should be the most prepared to successfully earn the credential. See the Table Legend for details about each level.

Proponent Funded

Indicates the credential may have funding through the MOS proponent. Some proponents offer credentialing opportunities in conjunction with military training and/or as part of MOS development beyond the training base.

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Navy Bucks

Credential voucher or reimbursement for credential exam, re-certification, or maintenance fee has been approved for payment through the Navy's Credential Program Office. To get a voucher request form, click 'Complete Voucher and Apply' at the top of any page.

CG Bucks

Coming Soon - Coast Guard policy regarding service member eligibility requirements to participate in the Voluntary Credentialing Program is under review with a projected release date of first quarter FY20.

Early Career

1-3 years experience; Enlisted E1 through E4

Mid Career

4-10 years experience; Enlisted E5 through E6

Late Career

10+ years experience; Enlisted E7 and Above

Early Career

1-3 years experience; Enlisted “A” School through E5

Mid Career

4-10 years experience; Enlisted E6 through E7

Late Career

10+ years experience; Enlisted E8 and Above

LaDR

This credential is recommended on the rating Learning and Development Roadmap (LaDR) for Sailors currently in the pay grade indicated on the icon, BUT MAY BE TAKEN BY SAILORS IN OTHER PAY GRADES.

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GI Bill®

Reimbursement for exam fees has been approved for payment through the GI Bill. Click for external link to GI Bill licensing and certification information.

Note: GI Bill approval data is updated quarterly. For the latest information, visit the WEAMS Licenses/Certifications Search page. Make sure to select "Both" in the LAC Category Type drop-down before searching.

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ANSI

This credential has been accredited by ANSI. Click for external link to the ANSI web site.

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ICAC

This credential has been accredited by ICAC. Click for external link to the ICAC web site.

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ABSNC

This credential has been accredited by ABSNC. Click for external link to the ABSNC web site.

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NCCA

This credentialing program has been accredited by NCCA. Click for external link to the NCCA web site.

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IAS

This credential has been accredited by IAS. Click for external link to the IAS web site.

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Low

May be difficult to attain: minimum education requirement is a Bachelor's degree, and/or minimum experience is 10 or more years.

Note: In some cases “years of experience” refers to time actively on duty or while holding a certain occupation or prior certification and not always in consecutive calendar years. Additional years required for certain preliminary stages may not be included in this classification. For requirements measured in hours, 1080 hours was considered a year. For days, 365 days was considered a year. Please review all prerequisites and requirements for eligibility, and additional information for details.

Medium

Moderate ease of attainment: minimum education requirement = Associate's and/or prerequisite and/or minimum experience = more than 2 years and less than 10 years of experience.

Note: In some cases “years of experience” refers to time actively on duty or while holding a certain occupation or prior certification and not always in consecutive calendar years. Additional years required for certain preliminary stages may not be included in this classification. For requirements measured in hours, 1080 hours was considered a year. For days, 365 days was considered a year. Please review all prerequisites and requirements for eligibility, and additional information for details.

High

Highly attainable: mimum education requirement = HS or less and/or minimum experience = 2 years or less experience and no additional requirements.

Note: In some cases “years of experience” refers to time actively on duty or while holding a certain occupation or prior certification and not always in consecutive calendar years. Additional years required for certain preliminary stages may not be included in this classification. For requirements measured in hours, 1080 hours was considered a year. For days, 365 days was considered a year. Please review all prerequisites and requirements for eligibility, and additional information for details.

MOS is Military Occupational Specialty
ASI is Additional Skill Identifier
WOMOS is Warrant Officer Military Occupational Specialty

Army e-learning

State-of-the art Computer Based Training available for free to the Army Workforce. Click for more information.

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NKO e-learning

Credential preparation courses are provided at no cost through Navy e-Learning. Click for external link to the Navy Knowledge Online (NKO) web site, then select the “Navy e-Learning” link within the “Learning” tab to proceed to Navy e-Learning.

Bright Outlook – new job opportunities are very likely in the future for this job
Registered Apprenticeship
Click here for External link to: My Next Move for Veterans - Ophthalmic Medical Technicians
Click here for External link to: My Next Move salary info for Ophthalmic Medical Technicians
Click here for External link to: My Next Move for Veterans - Ophthalmic Medical Technologists
Click here for External link to: My Next Move salary info for Ophthalmic Medical Technologists
This is an official U.S. Navy website
Updated: October 16, 2019
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