Commission on Opticianry Accreditation

What is the Commission on Opticianry Accreditation?
- The COA accredits two-year opticianry degree programs and one-year ophthalmic laboratory technology certificate programs.

Why attend or become an accredited Opticianry program?
- Twenty one states require licensure for Opticians. Of those states, nineteen accept graduates of a COA accredited program in lieu of the apprenticeship portion of the process of preparing for licensure, and one requires graduation from a COA accredited school as a condition to be come licensed. Graduation from an accredited Opticianry program gives the individual a nationally recognized credential.
- Some scholarships, federal funding, student loans, and fellowships are only available to students who are attending accredited programs.

Does the Commission on Opticianry Accreditation license opticians?
- No, licensing is done by states. Many states require that opticians be licensed. Some States that offer a license to dispensing opticians allow graduates to take the licensure exam immediately upon graduation; others require a few months to a year of experience. Check with your state to find out if licensure is required.

Does the Commission on Opticianry Accreditation certify opticians?
- No, the COA is not the certifying body for opticians. Dispensing opticians may apply to the American Board of Opticianry (ABO) and the National Contact Lens Examiners (NCLE) for certification of their skills. Certification must be renewed every 3 years through continuing education. Those licensed in States where licensing renewal requirements include continuing education credits may use proof of their renewed State license to meet the recertification requirements of the ABO. Likewise, the NCLE will accept proof of license renewal from any State that has contact lens requirements.

I want to attend school to become an Optician. Which of your programs do you recommend?
- The process of accrediting a program requires that the Commission determine that the program meets certain minimal standards. You can read these standards by clicking on the link for the Essentials for an Opticianry Degree Program at the bottom of this page.

If you do not list a program as accredited, does that mean that it is not a good program, or that it does not meet your standards?
- Not necessarily. If a program is not accredited that means that it has not gone through the process of self-study and peer review that is inherent in the accreditation process.

What courses does the Commission on Opticianry Accreditation offer?
- The Commission does not offer courses. We do have a power point workshop that is offered to people who are interested in becoming on-site evaluators, or who are interested in learning more about the process of Accreditation.

Who funds the Commission?
- The Commission is partially funded by the programs. The rest of the Commission's funding is provided by donations from people, organizations, and businesses that believe in the importance of formal education for Opticians. Any donation is welcome, and all donations are tax deductible.

I understand that the Commission on Opticianry Accreditation is not currently recognized by the U.S. Department of Education.
- The Commission on Opticianry Accreditation was recognized by the U.S. Department of Education continuously from 1982 to 2006. In December of 2006 the recognition expired. During 2007 the Commission completed and submitted the formal petition for re-recognition, and we are on the schedule for review in 2008.
  The Commission is also in the process of applying for recognition by the Council for Higher Education Accreditation, CHEA.

Commission HOME PAGE	Index of Pages
About the Commission	Forms for Programs
Commissioners	Evaluator's Workshop
Accredited Programs	Essentials for an Opticianry Degree Program (.pdf file, 136 kb)
Contributors	Essentials for a Ophthalmic Laboratory Program (.pdf file, 113 kb)
Links to Opticianry Organizations	Frequently Asked Questions