National Certification for AF Ophthalmic Technicians AMC Command Coordinators: JCAHPO - TSgt Alicia Stevenson Travis AFB, DSN AOA - TSgt Michael Wild Travis AFB, DSN

Objectives Explain Certification Process Provide information for alternative test sites Give guidance on funding sources

Obtaining Ophthalmology Certification at COA level Eligibility Requirements Testing Costs Complete AAO Home Study Course with minimum 80% Minimum 1 year experience in ophthalmic care Current CPR Card *Fill out application available at JCAHPO Website Test at approved sites or base education office** AAO Home Study Course- $145 The Academy Store: Products 12 College Credits Meets AFSC certification requirement Certification Test- $300 JCAHPO Certification Process * Application must be signed by supervising Ophthalmologist and include results of Home Study Course. ** 90 day test window upon approval of application. Testing sites can be found on Benefits

Obtaining Optometry Certification at CPOA/T level Eligibility Requirements Testing Process Costs Graduates from approved paraoptometric program within 5yrs of graduating tech school* See CPOA/T Handbook at ** Fill out application Test at approved sites or through Base Education Office No special testing fee if taken at Base Education Office Meets AFSC certification requirement CPOT Certification Test- $195 AOA Certification Process * Reference Form: **Application for Testing: ***Home study course: Home study course available from AOA $85 *** Benefits

Personal Information Last/First/MI/SuffixAddressPhone Organizational Information Organizations NameAddressBusiness PhoneBusiness Testing Center Information Proctor’s NameAddressPhone/Fax Address Include the name of the base in the address block Optometry Certification American Optometric Association 243 N. Lindberg Blvd St. Louis, Missouri ext 135 or 210 Fax POC Darlene Byrd Sharon Alderson AF Liaison SMSgt Lynn Lawrence DSN Comm Ophthalmology Certification Joint Commission on Allied Health Personnel in Ophthalmology 2025 Woodlane Drive St. Paul, Minnesota ext 3 Michelle Kimbrough AF Liaison TBD This information must be attached to your application when requesting certification testing at your Base Education office. Air Force Request For Local Certification Testing (No additional charge required)

Possible Funding Sources TDY Funds –Most likely source of funding per RMO Third Party Collections VA Reimbursement Procedures may vary depending on location. Contact your Squadron Superintendent for local policies.

TDY Funds Add Certification Costs to projected TDY Budget AOA Conferences (SECO, FSO, AOA) all offer certification testing on site JCAHPO conferences offer review sessions only Contact Flight Superintendent for local TDY request process

Third Party Collections Not a guaranteed source of funding Contact your Third Party Collection office for funding availability

VA REIMBURSEMENT Use as Last Resort (MGIB Entitlement) Requires up front cost to member Counts against Lifetime Certification Benefit (Cap is $9500) For procedures visit: (Checklist can be used for both AOA and JCAHPO)

Questions/Comments? AMC Command Coordinators: JCAHPO - TSgt Alicia Stevenson Travis AFB, DSN AOA - TSgt Michael Wild Travis AFB, DSN Please contact the respective coordinators below for any questions