Advanced Certification Exams

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. 

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, or are part of a State Licensing Board mandating the passing of the ABO and/or NCLE Advanced Examination(s). Test specifications are posted on this site. Please review the Advanced Examination Handbook for more information. 

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.

From administration to administration, the passing percentages for both the ABO and the NCLE Advanced exams change. For the year 2020, the ABO Advanced Examination had a 40.0% pass rate; the NCLE Advanced Examination had a 44.4% pass rate. As of May 15, 2021, there are 385 ABO Advanced Certified Opticians and 211 NCLE Advanced Certified Contact Lens Technicians. 

How Do I Earn Advanced Certification From ABO-NCLE?

Having earned the basic ABO or NCLE certification, and completed one recertification period (3 years) you are eligible to take the Advanced Examinations. Test Administration Procedures, including security, eligibility, distribution, scheduling, and other on-site exam-related information is all handled by our Testing Facility, ProMetric, and is located HERE.  By applying for any ABO or NCLE Examinations, Candidates have agreed to the terms of the Security Requirements of ProMetric and ABO & NCLE.  Additional information regarding the scheduling, on-site security, and other exam delivery information can be obtained by utilizing the "contact us " page. 

Candidate COVID-19 FAQs

Prometric has created a dedicated page to host COVID-19-related FAQs for candidates. This page, linked here, can be found by clicking the "COVID-19 update" tab on Prometric’s homepage and selecting "COVID-19 FAQ." 

Update as of May 25, 2021: PLEASE READ THIS IMPORTANT UPDATE REGARDING THE PROMETRIC MASK MANDATE POLICY
In some states, executive orders prohibit government agencies and institutions of higher education, respectively, and their officials from mandating face coverings or restricting activities in response to the COVID-19 disaster.
 
The mandates apply to those state’s universities, but not to private companies. Prometric’s position is to keep the mask requirement, where allowed, to maintain standardization and safety measures across our network as much as possible. As a private company, Prometric will continue to require everyone who comes to one of our global testing centers (that are not connected with state government agencies) to wear an approved face covering for the duration of their time at the location. Individuals not in compliance with this policy will not be allowed to sit for their scheduled appointment. We will also continue to maintain social distancing protocols in common areas, where barriers are not provided.

Remote Proctor Testing

Remote Proctor testing is now available for both the NOCE and CLRE Basic exams. Please make sure to review the ProProctor User Guide before scheduling your exam using ProProctor, to make sure you know what to expect the day of your remote exam.  If for any reason you encounter any technical issues launching your exam, there is live chat available.  Or, you can also contact Prometric’s technical support line at (800) 789-9947. Please make sure you read the section of the user guide that matches the type of computer you will be using to take your exam.  Especially, if you are planning on using a MAC computer, as it will go over the required steps on how to avoid running into any issues launching your remote exam.

If a bathroom break is taken, the timer continues to run, and your exam will be reviewed by ABO-NCLE and any suspicious activity may reverse your exam results. 

You may use a white board during your remotely proctored exam. You must supply your own white board, up to 3 dry erase marker(s) and eraser. The white board must be white in color and no larger than 8 ½ x 11 inches. You must erase all notes at the end of the exam. The Proctor will check to ensure all notes are erased.

If you have any further questions regarding your remote testing, please email us.

ABO Masters who are not currently ABO Advanced certified or NCLE Masters who are not currently NCLE Advanced certified due to allowing their certification to expire, may obtain Advanced Certification by reinstatement or renewal of the expired Advanced Certification.  

Eligibility

Everyone who is at least 18 years of age and has a high school diploma or GED is eligible to sit for the exams. (In states with conflicting regulations, the state licensing board regulations are followed.) While no experience is required, candidates with two to three years hands-on experience or completion of an optical school program are more successful in passing the exams.

Candidates always have questions on what they will be asked on the exam. For the spectacle-related exam the content areas are: analyzing and interpreting prescriptions; fitting and dispensing spectacles and other ophthalmic devices; and the use of standard ophthalmic equipment.

For the contact lens dispensing exam, the content areas consist of: prefit, preparation and evaluation; diagnostic fit and evaluation; lens dispensing, patient education and delivery procedures; follow-up visits with patient/customer; and administrative issues.

After you pass your exam, you will receive an attractive, professionally lettered certificate to display to the public as a symbol of your competence. Your certification must be renewed every three years through completion of continuing education requirements and payment of a modest renewal fee. Along with your certificate, you will receive information on these requirements and on ways to help you fulfill them. Carefully choosing this continued education to fit your particular needs is the way to continued competence.

**If you are applying for an ABO and/or NCLE Examination as part of a Licensing State requirement, please verify the appropriate steps with your state licensing board before registering for any specific examination.  Each state has its own specific requirements, and failure to abide by those requirements may result in denial of credit for the examination, or other consequences, depending upon any licensing state’s regulations and requirements.

To complete our Disability Accommodation Form, please click HERE to download our Accommodation Request information.  Once you are ready to submit your form, please click HERE.

2024 Testing Dates/Registration Deadlines

January 2- March 31, 2024 Testing Window:  

Registration opens December 1 and closes on March 15. There are no late registrations.

April 1 - June 30, 2024 Testing Window:  

Registration opens March 16 and closes on June 15. There are no late registrations.

July 1- September 30, 2024 Testing Window:  

Registration opens June 16 and closes on September 15. There are no late registrations.

October 1- December 21, 2024 Testing Window:  

Registration opens September 16 and closes on November 15. There are no late registrations.

Certification Registration

Please click one of the buttons below to begin your registration.