Certified Ophthalmic Medical Technologist Certification Prep Course

INTRODUCTION

You’ve passed your Assistant-Level Certification Exam. You’ve passed your Technician-Level Certification Exam. But maybe you want to learn more, or you’re still looking for another way to progress in your career. So you’re considering becoming certified as a Certified Ophthalmic Medical Technologist. This post covers the ins-and-outs of the exam, including information about the exam changes that came into effect in 2024. 

You’re probably reading this article because you want more information about the exams. Understandably, most people are completely overwhelmed and intimidated by the process. And because there are so few Certified Medical Technologists, most people don’t know anyone they can ask for advice! Well, that’s where we come in.

Eye Tech Training’s Ophthalmic Medical Technologist prep course is here to help you prepare for this momentous event in your technician career.

CERTIFICATION REQUIREMENTS

To be eligible to take the exam, you must have been working at the certified technician for 6,000 hours - or three years. You must also submit 12 Group A credits, which have been earned in the 12 months prior to your examination. Also, your ophthalmologist must sign your exam application. There are other pathways to eligibility for examination. The most common alternate pathway is by graduating from an accredited college at the technologist level - but remember that you’ll still need the Group A credits even with this route. Find more specific information, including the application for examination, click here. You can also call 800-284-3937.

There are two portions to the exam: a written portion and a performance test. So long as you are already COT certified (which, unless you take a very unconventional route, most of you will be), you will not have to take the COT skills test again. So 95% of you can put that out of your mind and just focus on the written exam and the performance test. The cost of taking the written exam is $340.00. If you fail the written exam, it costs $290.00 for your first retake and $150.00 for your second retake attempt. For the performance exam, the cost is $110.00 for your first attempt, and then $85.00 to retake.

TIMING, TIMING, TIMING

Success at this exam level is all about timing. When I was preparing for the exam, I gave myself two years to study. Now, I know that seems like a lot... because it is. I was walking in blind. But keep in mind, I didn't have a prep course to help me. With the assistance of my prep course, I estimate that you should plan 100+ hours of studying time spread out over 6-12 months. When I posted the question, “How long did you study for the Certified Ophthalmic Medical Technologist exam?” on Eye Tech Training’s Facebook page and Eye Tech Training’s Certified Ophthalmic Medical Technologist Study Group Facebook page, I got lots of answers, but most reported between six months and a year.

This might seem overwhelming, but it’s all about planning ahead, creating a schedule, and then sticking to it. I found it useful to buy a planner and schedule out which sections I would focus on and in which order. By breaking the exam content down into little chunks, it suddenly seemed a much more manageable goal.

When I think about studying tips, I think about the idea of eating an elephant. The phrase goes: "How do you eat an elephant? One bite at a time!" This is a metaphor for undertaking any large task or project. As long as you break it down into manageable chunks, even the most ambitious goal is yours to achieve... just like eating an elephant! 

THE WRITTEN EXAM

The written portion of the exam has 160 questions, spread over three hours. The content areas of the written exam are mostly the same - the only thing that’s changed is the proportion of questions given to each content area and the complexity of the exams.

The latest exam includes two new sub-content sections: Communications Skills and Administrative Duties. You can find a full description of the changes as well as a comparison to the old test on their PDF document “Certification and Recertification,”.

THE SKILLS EVALUATION

I know what you’re thinking…. Is it something along the lines of, “*gulp*”? Like the Technician-Level Certification Exam Skills Test, this section of the exam is administered on a computer using computer simulation technology. The good news is, you have up to 36 months after taking the written portion to take the performance test. You’ll receive 60 minutes to complete the skills examination. Here are the five areas in which you’ll be asked to demonstrate your skills:

• 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.

This is the section of the test that has most people shaking in their boots, and that’s why Eye Tech Training offers tutoring for the Skills test. This is a great option if you feel you have a handle on the written content, and just need some extra help in the practical portion.

WHAT IS INCLUDED IN OUR COURSE?

• Detailed instruction in ALL content areas

• Quizzes

• Access to Eye Tech Training's online study group

• Individual tutoring with Sharon is available for purchase separately.

You'll join thousands (yes, thousands) of other techs who have taken the Eye Tech Training prep courses... and passed.

I hope this guide was helpful and enlightening. Although this exam can seem quite daunting, anyone with enough grit and determination can pass it, including you. Now get out there and get after it!