New! AOC CE Guidelines for 2021 (Updated September 2020)
CLICK HERE for updated information about continuing education guidelines. (PDF document)
For all orthoptists, and in particular those who are worried about not having enough CE hours to renew their certification in November, 2020 and 2021. The Council is sensitive to the difficulties many are facing in earning CE during this time of COVID 19 We recognize that many planned to attend meetings which were cancelled, postponed or held virtually. Examples to name a few: AAPOS, IOA, AACO regional and national meetings. The good news is that there have been many webinars and zoom conferences and lectures locally, nationally and internationally, most of which can be viewed [attended] live or even after the fact and still more planned for the future. Some are free and others have a small registration fee Please review the updated CE information and make note of which webinars can be included as core meeting attendance hours.
AOC CE Guidelines & Requirements 2019
Individual questions regarding continuing education credit hours should be directed to:
AMERICAN ORTHOPTIC COUNCIL
3914 Nakoma Road, Madison, WI 53711
Telephone: 608 233-5383
[email protected] or [email protected]
INTERNATIONAL ORTHOPTISTS
[1986 ruling; revised 2014]
An international orthoptist applying for certification by the AOC:
- Must be an active, certified orthoptist in his/her country
- Must study under a chief orthoptist in an AOC accredited program for a minimum of 6 months or until judged ready for stipulation III.
- Must be recommended by the chief orthoptist to be eligible to sit for the AOC certifying exams; written and oral/practical
- If English is not the primary language, the applicant must take the Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL). Waivers are considered on an individual basis.
Minimum scores:
- Paper-based exam = 500
- Internet-based exam (iBT) = 75
- Computer-based exam = 173
EXCEPTIONS to guidelines I - IV:
- Orthoptists with Canadian certification have reciprocity without further examination
- Orthoptists with British or Australian certification may sit for the exams without requirements II and III; however, it is strongly recommended that time be spent in an orthoptic teaching program so as to familiarize oneself with terminology and current examination techniques.
- Orthoptists certified in countries other than Canada, England or Australia may request individual consideration based on training and work experience.
Variations will be evaluated on an individual, case-by-case, basis.
Examples of appeal might include requests to:
- Waive the TOEFL exam
- Reduce the required training period and obtain “advanced standing” status
- Allow time with an individual orthoptist outside of an approved program in a geographic location where no program exists or for other unusual circumstances
QUESTIONS and APPEALS should be directed to the Council Home Office
Appeals will be sent to the appropriate committees or persons for review and action