AOC® CE Guidelines
All American Orthoptic Council® (AOC®) certified orthoptists (CO®) must participate in ongoing continuing education activities in order to maintain certification with the AOC®. The level of education must be of the appropriate caliber to maintain professional excellence.
Requirements for recertification:
The AOC® requires orthoptists to submit their continuing education credits every three years, except for newly certified orthoptists, who will recertify after their first two years of certification. It is up to individuals to keep a record of their continuing education credits. Updated May, 2025 by AOC® Continuing Education Committee
REQUIREMENTS
45 credits every three years Newly certified orthoptists only need 30 credit hours their first renewal cycle (2 years)
CORE TOPICS
Core topics must be taught by orthoptists, physicians or PhDs to qualify for Core credits. IJCAHPO courses do not qualify for Core credits.
NON-CORE TOPICS
IJCAHPO intermediate and advanced courses will qualify for non-core credits; click for more information.
Ways to Earn Credits
There are multiple ways to earn core and non-core credits. Click on the tiles for opportunities.
Meetings and Courses
At least 10 out of 45 hours of CE must be from “attendance” at meetings in CORE topics
Publications Presentations Posters
If you have presented, published a scientific paper or poster, click here for information on CE.
Webinars and Virtual Meetings
In-person credits "attendance" for virtual meetings and live webinars will be allowed with specific requirements.
Informal CO® Group Symposia/Case Discussions
1:2 (1 credit for 2 hour discussion) Core CE for orthoptist informal group symposia
Quizzes
Offered from the American Orthoptic Journals (AOJ) and Journal of Binocular Vision and Ocular Motility
AOC® Approved Basic Science DVDs
Available on-line
AAO Basic Science Course Sections V and VI
Contact AAO or AOC® for instructions to obtain quiz
AACO Self-Assessment Quiz
Self - Study
Not to exceed 5 credits per year
HAVE YOUR CE READY TO SUBMIT
It’s a good idea to collect all CE earned during the year in a safe place! ENSURE that your email address is current with AOC® or send updates to aoc.veronica@gmail.com