AOC Credentialing & Standards Compliance 2 — Questions and Answers
Question 1: How often must a Certified Orthoptist (CO) complete continuing education to maintain AOC certification?
- Every year
- Every 3 years (Correct answer)
- Every 5 years
- Every 2 years
Correct answer: Every 3 years
AOC requires COs to complete continuing education requirements on a 3-year renewal cycle.
Question 2: Which organization is responsible for accrediting orthoptic training programs in the United States?
- CAAHEP (Correct answer)
- ACGME
- JCAHO
- ABMS
Correct answer: CAAHEP
The Commission on Accreditation of Allied Health Education Programs (CAAHEP) accredits orthoptic programs on behalf of the AOC.
Question 3: What is the minimum number of continuing education credits typically required per AOC renewal cycle?
- 10 credits
- 15 credits
- 20 credits (Correct answer)
- 30 credits
Correct answer: 20 credits
AOC requires a minimum of 20 continuing education credits per 3-year renewal cycle.
Question 4: A CO fails to submit renewal paperwork by the deadline. Which term best describes their certification status?
- Suspended
- Lapsed (Correct answer)
- Revoked
- Probationary
Correct answer: Lapsed
A certification that has passed its renewal date without renewal is considered lapsed, not revoked, as it may be reinstated.
Question 5: Which document must a candidate submit to demonstrate completion of an accredited orthoptic training program?
- Transcript of coursework
- Letter of attestation from program director
- Official training program certificate (Correct answer)
- Board examination score report
Correct answer: Official training program certificate
An official certificate of completion from the accredited training program is required to verify eligibility for the AOC examination.
Question 6: Under AOC standards, which activity is NOT typically accepted as continuing education credit?
- Attending a AAPOS annual meeting
- Reading a peer-reviewed ophthalmology journal with a quiz
- Shadowing a colleague in routine clinical work (Correct answer)
- Presenting a case report at a recognized conference
Correct answer: Shadowing a colleague in routine clinical work
Informal clinical shadowing without structured learning objectives does not qualify for CE credit under AOC standards.
Question 7: What action should a CO take if they discover an error in their previously submitted CE documentation?
- Ignore it if certification was already renewed
- Submit a corrected record to the AOC office immediately (Correct answer)
- Wait until the next renewal cycle to correct it
- Ask their employer to certify the error was unintentional
Correct answer: Submit a corrected record to the AOC office immediately
COs are responsible for maintaining accurate records and must promptly notify the AOC of any documentation errors.
AOC Credentialing & Standards Compliance 2
How often must a Certified Orthoptist (CO) complete continuing education to maintain AOC certification?