Get Accredited
A program should be well established and have students in clinical rotations (if applicable) before applying for initial accreditation.* CoA-OMP accredits four levels of training programs for the ophthalmic medical technician.**
* Initial accreditation is granted for a maximum period of three years.
** It is not uncommon for the accreditation process to take up to or longer than, six to eight months after all required and appropriately completed documents are received.
Click on the level of training program desired for the Initial Accreditation Process.
Ophthalmic Non-Clinical Assistant Program
Step 1
Review the Standards and Guidelines
Responsible Party: Program
You must fully understand the Standards that are in place to achieve accreditation. Read them carefully.
Step 2
Complete the Self-Study Template
Responsible Party: Program
CoA-OMP provides a Self-Study Template, which will guide programs through the evaluation process.
Step 3
Submit the completed Self-Study Template and Fee to CoA-OMP
Responsible Party: Program
Both items must be submitted to CoA-OMP to enter the accreditation process.
Step 4
CoA-OMP Board Member reviews the completed Self-Study
Responsible Party: CoA-OMP
One CoA-OMP Board Member will do a thorough evaluation of the Self-Study.
Step 5
CoA-OMP Board Reviewer may request some additional information
Responsible Party: CoA-OMP
The program is sent a letter notifying them of the citations and the additional information needed by the CoA-OMP Board Reviewer.
Step 6
Program sends the additional information requested by the CoA-OMP Board Reviewer
Responsible Party: Program
Step 7
CoA-OMP Board Reviewer evaluates the additional information
Responsible Party: CoA-OMP
Step 8
If additional information is approved, the CoA-OMP Board Reviewer will request a Paper Review
Responsible Party: CoA-OMP
The approved Self-Study is then forwarded to two Non-Board Member Reviewers' to ensure completeness and analysis for citations.
Repeat steps 5 - 7 if the two non-board reviewers request additional information
Step 9
Reviewers Report is generated
Responsible Party: CoA-OMP
The Reviewers' Report highlights the results of the Self-Study analysis.
Step 10
Findings Letter is drafted and sent to the program
Responsible Party: CoA-OMP
The Findings Letter is an overview of the Reviewers' Reports, which provides the results of the Self-Study review to the program.
Step 11
Program receives the Findings Letter and must provide a response to the Findings Letter to CoA-OMP
Responsible Party: Program
Step 12
CoA-OMP receives the programs response to the Findings Letter and the CoA-OMP Board Reviewer makes a recommendation of accreditation
Responsible Party: CoA-OMP
Step 13
CoA-OMP Board of Directors will meet and review the CoA-OMP Board Reviewer's Recommendation of Accreditation, the Findings Letter, and the Program's response to the Findings Letter
Responsible Party: CoA-OMP
The full CoA-OMP Board of Directors meets three times a year to vote on accreditation recommendations.
Step 14
Program is sent notification of accreditation action
Responsible Party: CoA-OMP
The program is sent a letter stating whether accreditation was granted or denied or if the CoA-OMP Board of Directors needs additional information.
Step 15
Dependent on the CoA-OMP Board of Directors vote
Responsible Party: Program
If Initial Accreditation was granted, the next comprehensive evaluation will be in three years. To maintain accreditation an Annual Report and Annual Fee must be submitted every year on or before October 31.
If Initial Accreditation was negative (denied, withheld, or tabled), the program has the opportunity to request reconsideration. Program sends request within ten (10) days. Program responds to citations (or reasons for denial) within thirty (30) days.
Step 16
CoA-OMP Board Reviewer will evaluate program's response, makes another Recommendation, and repeats Steps 13 - 16
Responsible Party: CoA-OMP
Ophthalmic Clinical Assistant Program
Step 1
Review the Standards and Guidelines
Responsible Party: Program
You must fully understand the Standards that are in place to achieve accreditation. Read them carefully.
Step 2
Complete the Self-Study Template
Responsible Party: Program
CoA-OMP provides a Self-Study Template, which will guide programs through the evaluation process.
Step 3
Submit the completed Self-Study Template and Fee to CoA-OMP
Responsible Party: Program
Both items must be submitted to CoA-OMP to enter the accreditation process.
Step 4
CoA-OMP Board Member reviews the completed Self-Study
Responsible Party: CoA-OMP
One CoA-OMP Board Member will complete a thorough evaluation of the Self-Study.
Step 5
CoA-OMP Board Reviewer may request some additional information
Responsible Party: CoA-OMP
The program is sent a letter notifying them of the citations and the additional information required by the CoA-OMP Board Reviewer.
Step 6
Program sends the additional information requested by the CoA-OMP Board Reviewer
Responsible Party: Program
Step 7
CoA-OMP Board Reviewer evaluates the additional information
Responsible Party: CoA-OMP
Step 8
If additional information is approved, the CoA-OMP Board Reviewer will request a Site Visit
Responsible Party: CoA-OMP
The Program is sent a letter requesting three (3) sets of dates 3-6 months in the future for the site visit.
Step 9
Program sends CoA-OMP three (3) sets of dates
Responsible Party: Program
Once CoA-OMP receives the dates, staff will begin to schedule the site visit.
Step 10
CoA-OMP will send the program a Program Director's Packet
Responsible Party: CoA-OMP
This packet will contain instructions and items that must be available for the site visit.
Step 11
Site Visit
Responsible Party: Program
All costs endured by the site visitors is the responsibility of the program.
Step 12
Site Visit Report is generated by CoA-OMP
Responsible Party: CoA-OMP
Step 13
Site Visit Findings Letter is drafted and sent to the program
Responsible Party: CoA-OMP
The Site Visit Findings Letter is an overview of the Site Visit Report, which provides the results of the site visit to the program.
Step 14
Program receives the Site Visit Findings Letter and must provide a response to the Site Visit Findings Letter to CoA-OMP
Responsible Party: Program
Step 15
CoA-OMP receives response to the Site Visit Findings Letter and the CoA-OMP Board Reviewer will make a Recommendation of Accreditation
Responsible Party: CoA-OMP
Step 16
The CoA-OMP Board of Directors will meet and review the CoA-OMP Board Reviewer's Recommendation of Accreditation, the Site Visit Findings Letter, and the programs response to the Site Visit Findings Letter
Responsible Party: CoA-OMP
The full CoA-OMP Board of Directors meets three times a year to vote on accreditation recommendations.
Step 17
Program is sent notification of accreditation action
Responsible Party: CoA-OMP
The Program is sent a letter stating whether accreditation was granted or denied or if the CoA-OMP Board of Directors needs additional information.
Step 18
Dependent on CoA-OMP Board of Directors vote
Responsible Party: Program
If Initial Accreditation was granted, the next comprehensive evaluation will be in three years. To maintain accreditation an Annual Report and Annual Fee must be submitted every year on or before October 31.
If Initial Accreditation was negative (denied, withheld, or tabled), the program has the opportunity to request reconsideration.
Program sends request within ten (10) days. Program responds to citations (or reasons for denial) within thirty (30) days.
Step 19
CoA-OMP Board Reviewer will evaluate Program's response, makes another recommendation, repeats Steps 15-18
Responsible Party: CoA-OMP
Ophthalmic Technician Program
Step 1
Review the Standards and Guidelines
Responsible Party: Program
You must fully understand the Standards that are in place to achieve accreditation. Read them carefully.
Step 2
Complete the Self-Study Template
Responsible Party: Program
CoA-OMP provides a Self-Study Template, which will guide programs through the evaluation process.
Step 3
Submit the completed Self-Study Template and Fee to CoA-OMP
Responsible Party: Program
Both items must be submitted to CoA-OMP to enter the accreditation process.
Step 4
CoA-OMP Board Member reviews the completed Self-Study
Responsible Party: CoA-OMP
One CoA-OMP Board Member will do a thorough evaluation of the Self-Study.
Step 5
CoA-OMP Board Reviewer may request additional information
Responsible Party: CoA-OMP
The Program is sent a letter notifying them of the citations and the additional information required by the CoA-OMP Board Reviewer.
Step 6
Program sends additional information requested by the CoA-OMP Board Reviewer
Responsible Party: Program
Step 7
CoA-OMP Board Reviewer evaluates the additional information
Responsible Party: CoA-OMP
Step 8
If additional information is approved, the CoA-OMP Board Reviewer will request a Site Visit
Responsible Party: CoA-OMP
The Program is sent a letter requesting three (3) sets of dates 3-6 months in the future to have a site visit.
Step 9
Program sends CoA-OMP three (3) sets of dates
Responsible Party: Program
Once CoA-OMP receives the dates, staff will begin to schedule the site visit.
Step 10
CoA-OMP will send the program a Program Director's Packet
Responsible Party: CoA-OMP
This packet will have instructions and items that need to be available for the site visit.
Step 11
Site Visit
Responsible Party: Program
All costs endured by the site visitors is the responsibility of the Program.
Step 12
Site Visit Report is generated by the site visitors
Responsible Party: CoA-OMP
Step 13
Site Visit Findings Letter is drafted and sent to the program
Responsible Party: CoA-OMP
The Site Visit Findings Letter is an overview of the Site Visit Report, which provides the results of the site visit to the Program.
Step 14
The Program receives the Site Visit Findings Letter and must provide a response to the Site Visit Findings Letter to CoA-OMP
Responsible Party: Program
Step 15
CoA-OMP receives response to the Site Visit Findings Letter and the CoA-OMP Board Reviewer will make a Recommendation of Accreditation
Responsible Party: CoA-OMP
Step 16
CoA-OMP Board of Directors will meet and review the CoA-OMP Board Reviewer's Recommendation of Accreditation, the Site Visit Findings Letter, and the Program's response to the Site Visit Findings Letter
Responsible Party: CoA-OMP
The full CoA-OMP Board of Directors meets three times a year to vote on accreditation recommendations.
Step 17
Program is sent notification of accreditation action
Responsible Party: CoA-OMP
The Program is sent a letter stating whether accreditation was granted or denied or if the CoA-OMP Board of Directors requires additional information.
Step 18
Dependent on CoA-OMP Board of Directors vote
Responsible Party: Program
If Initial Accreditation was granted, the next comprehensive evaluation will be in three years. To maintain accreditation an Annual Report and Annual Fee must be submitted every year on or before October 31.
If Initial Accreditation was negative (denied, withheld, or tabled), the program has the opportunity to request reconsideration. Program sends request within ten (10) days. Program responds to citations (or reasons for denial) within thirty (30) days.
Step 19
CoA-OMP Board Reviewer will review Program's response, makes another recommendation, repeats Steps 15-18
Responsible Party: CoA-OMP
Ophthalmic Medical Technologist Program
Step 1
Review the Standards and Guidelines
Responsible Party: Program
You must fully understand the Standards that are in place to achieve accreditation. Read them carefully.
Step 2
Complete the Self-Study Template
Responsible Party: Program
CoA-OMP provides a Self-Study Template, which will guide programs through the evaluation process.
Step 3
Submit the completed Self-Study Template and Fee to CoA-OMP
Responsible Party: Program
Both items must be submitted to CoA-OMP to enter the accreditation process.
Step 4
CoA-OMP Board Member reviews the completed Self-Study
Responsible Party: CoA-OMP
One CoA-OMP Board Member will do a thorough evaluation of the Self-Study.
Step 5
CoA-OMP Board Reviewer may request some additional information
Responsible Party: CoA-OMP
The Program is sent a letter notifying them of the citations and the additional information needed by the CoA-OMP Board Reviewer.
Step 6
Program sends the additional information requested by the CoA-OMP Board Reviewer
Responsible Party: Program
Step 7
CoA-OMP Board Reviewer evaluates the additional information
Responsible Party: CoA-OMP
Step 8
If additional information is approved, the CoA-OMP Board Reviewer will request a Site Visit
Responsible Party: CoA-OMP
The Program is sent a letter requesting three (3) sets of dates 3-6 months in the future to have a site visit.
Step 9
Program sends CoA-OMP three (3) sets of dates
Responsible Party: Program
Once CoA-OMP receives the dates, staff will begin to schedule the site visit.
Step 10
CoA-OMP will send the program a Program Director's Packet
Responsible Party: CoA-OMP
This packet will have instructions and items that need to be available for the site visit.
Step 11
Site Visit
Responsible Party: Program
All costs endured by the site visitors is the responsibility of the program.
Step 12
Site Visit Report is generated by CoA-OMP
Responsible Party: CoA-OMP
Step 13
Site Visit Findings Letter is drafted and sent to the Program
Responsible Party: CoA-OMP
The Site Visit Findings Letter is an overview of the Site Visit Report, which provides the results of the site visit to the Program.
Step 14
Program receives the Site Visit Findings Letter and must provide a response to the Site Visit Findings Letter to CoA-OMP
Responsible Party: Program
Step 15
CoA-OMP receives response to the Site Visit Findings Letter and the CoA-OMP Board Reviewer will make a Recommendation of Accreditation
Responsible Party: CoA-OMP
Step 16
CoA-OMP Board of Directors will meet and review the CoA-OMP Board Reviewer's Recommendation of Accreditation, the Site Visit Findings Letter, and the programs response to the Site Visit Findings Letter
Responsible Party: CoA-OMP
The full CoA-OMP Board of Directors meets three times a year to vote on accreditation recommendations.
Step 17
Program is sent notification of accreditation action
Responsible Party: CoA-OMP
The Program is sent a letter stating whether accreditation was granted or denied or if the CoA-OMP Board of Directors needs additional information.
Step 18
Dependent on CoA-OMP Board of Directors vote
Responsible Party: Program
If Initial Accreditation was granted, the next comprehensive evaluation will be in three years. To maintain accreditation an Annual Report and Annual Fee must be submitted every year on or before October 31.
If Initial Accreditation was negative (denied, withheld, or tabled), the program has the opportunity to request reconsideration. Program sends request within ten (10) days. Program responds to citations (or reasons for denial) within thirty (30) days.
Step 19
CoA-OMP Board Reviewer will review programs response, makes another recommendation, and then repeats Steps 15-18
Responsible Party: CoA-OMP
