ABO/NCLE Advanced Certification Programs

In the rapidly changing field of vision care, more and more knowledge and skills are required of practitioners. ABO and NCLE Advanced Certifications focus specifically on the advanced level knowledge and skills needed for ophthalmic dispensing, that is providing spectacle, contact lens, and refraction services. This certification can also compliment JCAHPO certificants who work in medical offices but have limited optical knowledge and skill. In fact, COT/COMT certification is one of the eligibility pathways to this new and exciting skill level.

The Advanced Certification designations, ABOC-AC and NCLE-AC, are earned only after a practitioner has attained several years experience, completes a prescribed curriculum of advanced education, and achieves a passing score on the rigorous examinations. Test specifications are posted on this site.

Professionals with advanced certification credential are equipped to work in a variety of practice settings, such as: independent opticians, ophthalmology practices, university hospitals, commercial offices, HMO/managed care offices, optometric offices, large clinics, optical product manufacturers. In short Advanced Certification equips you in all settings which provide eyeglasses and contact lens services to clients.

HOW DO I EARN ADVANCED CERTIFICATION FROM ABO AND NCLE?

Anyone with current ABO and/or NCLE certification is eligible to sit for the exam.

ABO Master and CLSA Fellows who are not currently ABO or NCLE certified, may obtain Advanced Certification by re-taking and passing the entry level examinations (NOCE and CLRE.) Having passed the NOCE and/or CLRE again, the Advanced Certification status may be requested and granted, without having to take the Advanced Examination(s) or meeting the prerequisite course requirement. A certificate will be provided upon request at a nominal fee.

The Advanced Examination may be taken as often as required to achieve a passing score.

WHAT ARE THE FEES FOR THE ADVANCED EXAMINATION?

The registration fee for the either the ABO Advanced Exam or the NCLE Advanced is $150.

WHEN ARE THE EXAMINATIONS SCHEDULED?

Dates Locations

February 21-25, 2007

SECO International, Atlanta, GA
March 23-25, 2007 Vision Expo East, New York, NY
April 18-21, 2007 CLSA Annual Meeting, Phoenix, AZ
May 10-12, 2007 Midwest Vision Conference, Rosemont, IL
May 20, 2007 National Administrations
  Durham, NC
San Diego, CA
Harrisonburg, PA
Miami, FL
Chicago, IL
Dallas, TX
Grand Island, NE
August 3-6, 2007 Mid West Vision Congress
October 4-6, 2007 Vision Expo West, Las Vegas, NV
November 3-5, 2007 POF–Vision Preview, Fort Lauderdale, FL
November 18, 2007 National Administrations
  Albuquerque, NM
Baton Rouge, LA
Waterbury, CT
Nashville, TN
Minneapolis, MN
Salem, OR
Denver, CO

All dates are tentative pending sufficient registration

HOW DO I REGISTER FOR THE EXAMINATION(S)?

Contact the ABO/NCLE Office at least 6 weeks prior to the date stated for the administration you are interested in. You may call the office at 800-296-1379 to request an application form.

ADVANCED EDUCATION PROVIDERS

Contact Lens Society of America (CLSA)
(800) 296-9776
www.clsa.info

National Academy of Opticianry (NAO)
(800) 229-4828
www.nao.org

Opticians Association of America (OAA)
(800) 443-8997
www.oaa.org

SUGGESTED STUDY MATERIAL:

ABO Advanced Exam Review Book
Price:
$95 (Member)
$125 (Non-Member)

Available through the National Academy of Opticianry

Advanced Contact Lens Manual: A Comprehensive Study and Reference Guide
available through the Contact Lens Society of America