Continuing Education Requirements

As an ophthalmic professional, you can select from many high-quality continuing education and training courses to enhance your knowledge and skills. Whether you’re an ophthalmic medical assistant, technician, technologist, registered nurse, orthoptist, or photographer, you will need to meet specific continuing education requirements to maintain your certification and advance in your career. Some requirements are described below. For more information, just click on the links in each section.

JCAHPO (Joint Commission on Allied Health Personnel in Ophthalmology)

JCAHPO certification is valid for three years. Continuing education requirements for recertification vary depending on the credential you are pursuing.

ASORN (American Society of Ophthalmic Registered Nurses)

ASORN is accredited as a provider and an approver of continuing nursing education by the American Nurses Credentialing Center’s COA.

ASORN is provider approved by the California Board of Registered Nursing CEP #11901.

Continuing education requirements for Registered Nurses are included in each state’s or territory’s Nurse Practice Act, and enforced by the state’s or territory’s nursing board. It is the responsibility of each Registered Nurse to understand their Nurse Practice Act.

CRNO Certification: Ophthalmic Registered Nurses have the opportunity to earn the designation, Certified Registered Nurse in Ophthalmology (CRNO) through the National Certifying Board for Ophthalmic Registered Nurses (NCBORN). The CRNO designation is valid for five years and recertification is obtained either by examination or through continuing education.

OPS (Ophthalmic Photographers’ Society)

OPS certification is valid for three years. Requirements for recertification vary depending on the credential.

ASOA (American Society of Ophthalmic Administrators)

Certified Ophthalmic Executive (COE)

COE certification is valid for three years. A COE Handbook is available for review if you are interested in pursuing this credential. Recertification requirements are available online.