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Free COMT Exam Prep

IJCAHPO Certified Ophthalmic Medical Technologist (COMT) Examination

Prepare for the COMT exam without spending hundreds on expensive prep courses. Free study guides, practice questions, flashcards, and related exam resources.

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Your Study Path

COMT IJCAHPO Ophthalmic Certifications License: Complete Roadmap

Follow this path to organize your licensing and exam preparation

1

Phase 1: Ocular Motility, Refraction and Lensometry (22% of the exam)You are here

Drill versions and ductions, cover testing with prisms, Worth 4-Dot, Maddox rod and Krimsky, then retinoscopy, refinement, transposition, vertex conversion and manual lensometry — the three heaviest clinical skill areas on the COMT blueprint.

30
hours
2

Phase 2: Imaging, Photography and Supplemental Testing (23% of the exam)

Work through fluorescein and ICG angiography phases, corneal topography, OCT and scanning laser testing, fundus, slit lamp and external photography, plus glare, PAM, colour vision, tear tests and electrophysiology identification.

28
hours
3

Phase 3: Contact Lenses, Biometry and Anterior Segment Measurement (12% of the exam)

Fit and evaluate rigid, toric, bifocal, scleral and bandage lenses, then master standardised A-scan and B-scan echography, keratometry, pachymetry and anterior chamber depth assessment.

20
hours
4

Phase 4: Patient Services, Pharmacology, Surgical Assisting and General Medical Knowledge (23% of the exam)

Review ophthalmic patient education and emergency first aid, ocular pharmacology by drug class, aseptic technique and laser safety, ocular anatomy and systemic disease, ethics and coding, then finish the practice bank.

22
hours
Estimated total study time
100 hours
That's about 10 weeks at 10 hours/week

Can You Take the COMT Exam?

Check if you meet the basic eligibility requirements

Age
Education
Graduation from an International Council of Accreditation (ICA) accredited training program at the Medical Technologist level, or current COT certification, or current Certified Orthoptist (CO/OC(C)) certification, depending on the pathway chosen.
Experience
None for COMT-TG1 (accredited program plus two or more years of college); 4,000 hours under ophthalmologist supervision for COMT-TG2; 6,000 hours as a COT within 60 months for COMT-TG3; 4,000 hours as a CO or OC(C) within 60 months for COMT-TG4; 3,000 certified COT hours plus 6,000 non-certified hours for the COMT-TG5 fast track.
Additional Requirements
  • 12 IJCAHPO continuing education credits for the COT, orthoptist, and fast-track pathways
  • $340 for one multiple-choice examination plus one skill attempt; $110 for the initial Performance Test
  • Examinations are scheduled through Pearson VUE test centres
  • All examination components must be completed within 36 months of application approval
  • Recertification every 36 months with 36 IJCAHPO continuing education credits and a $125 application fee

COMT Quick Facts

Time to Get Licensed

12–16 weeks for focused self-study

From start to license in hand

Exam Provider

IJCAHPO / Pearson VUE test centres

In-Person Only
Schedule Your Exam

Retake Policy

The application for a multiple-choice retest must be received within 12 months of the initial examination. Retest fees are $290 for the first retest and $150 for the second. The COT Skill Evaluation may be attempted up to six times ($85 per retest) and the COMT Performance Test up to four times ($85 per retest).

Total Cost Breakdown

Exam Fee$340 for one multiple-choice examination plus one skill attempt; $110 for the initial COMT Performance Test
Total Estimated Cost$450–$950 initial (multiple-choice exam, Performance Test and optional study materials)
Why Choose Us

Free COMT Prep Tools

188 Practice Questions

COMT-style questions spanning ocular motility, ophthalmic imaging, contact lenses, refraction, supplemental testing, and surgical assisting.

AI-Powered Review

Work through FA interpretation, ERG analysis, ultrasonography, and advanced surgical scenarios with AI tutoring.

2026 Updated

Built on the current IJCAHPO Core Certification Criteria examination content areas and published weights.

Free Start

Practice before investing in the COMT exam fee.

Compare:
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What You'll Study

29 chapters covering the exam topics in this guide

1

Chapter 1: The COMT Examination, Eligibility & Certification Requirements

3 sections

2

Chapter 2: General Medical Knowledge I — Ocular Anatomy & Physiology

3 sections

3

Chapter 3: General Medical Knowledge II — Eye Disease, Systemic Manifestations, Terminology & Safety

3 sections

4

Chapter 4: Ophthalmic History Taking & Clinical Documentation

2 sections

5

Chapter 5: Visual Assessment, Accommodative Testing & Low Vision

3 sections

6

Chapter 6: Tonometry, Keratometry & Pupil Measurement

4 sections

7

Chapter 7: Lensometry, Spectacle Optics & Prescription Analysis

5 sections

8

Chapter 8: Refraction, Retinoscopy & Refinement

4 sections

9

Chapter 9: Ocular Motility, Strabismus & Advanced Optics

4 sections

10

Chapter 10: Sensory Fusion Testing, Nystagmus, Amblyopia & Vergence Therapy

3 sections

11

Chapter 11: Advanced Visual Fields & Neuro-Ophthalmic Evaluation

5 sections

12

Chapter 12: Supplemental Testing — Glare, PAM, Colour Vision, Tear Film & Slit Lamp Technique

5 sections

13

Chapter 13: Full-Field Electroretinography & ISCEV Protocols

4 sections

14

Chapter 14: Advanced Electrophysiologic Testing (mfERG, PERG, VEP, EOG)

4 sections

15

Chapter 15: Fluorescein Angiography Principles & Technique

3 sections

16

Chapter 16: Angiographic Interpretation & Pathology

3 sections

17

Chapter 17: Advanced Fundus Imaging & Optical Coherence Tomography

4 sections

18

Chapter 18: Ophthalmic Photography & Videography

4 sections

19

Chapter 19: Ophthalmic Echography (A-Scan, B-Scan & UBM)

4 sections

20

Chapter 20: Biometry, Topography & Corneal Analysis

4 sections

21

Chapter 21: Rigid Gas Permeable & Specialty Lens Fitting

4 sections

22

Chapter 22: Toric, Multifocal, Therapeutic Lenses & Complications

4 sections

23

Chapter 23: Ocular Pharmacology

4 sections

24

Chapter 24: Microbiology & Ocular Specimen Collection

2 sections

25

Chapter 25: Anterior Segment, Glaucoma & Refractive Surgery

4 sections

26

Chapter 26: Vitreoretinal, Corneal & Trauma Surgery

3 sections

27

Chapter 27: Surgical Asepsis, Instrumentation & Laser Procedures

3 sections

28

Chapter 28: Ophthalmic Patient Services & Education

5 sections

29

Chapter 29: Clinic Operations — Equipment Maintenance, Ethics, Coding & Compliance

3 sections

COMT Exam Details

IJCAHPO Certified Ophthalmic Medical Technologist (COMT) Examination

Administered by International Joint Commission on Allied Health Personnel in Ophthalmology (IJCAHPO)

Official Source
Scaled passing score (criterion-referenced)
Passing Score
190
Questions
180
Minutes
$340 for one multiple-choice examination plus one skill attempt
Exam Fee
Study time: No official study-hour estimate published by IJCAHPO
Prerequisites: One of five IJCAHPO eligibility pathways (COMT-TG1 to COMT-TG5), based on graduation from an ICA-accredited Medical Technologist training program, current COT certification, or current Certified Orthoptist certification, each with its own work-experience and continuing education requirement.
Valid for: 36 months (renewable with 36 IJCAHPO continuing education credits)

Exam Content Breakdown

Based on the official International Joint Commission on Allied Health Personnel in Ophthalmology (IJCAHPO) content outline

History and Documentation3%

Ocular, medical, medication, social, and family history taking and accurate chart documentation.

Visual Assessment3%

Distance and near acuity at every level (counting fingers to no light perception), special populations, pinhole, stereoacuity, near point of accommodation and convergence, AC/A ratio, magnification calculation, and low vision devices.

Visual Field Testing6%

Amsler grid, confrontation fields, automated static perimetry, and Goldmann kinetic perimetry.

Pupil Assessment3%

Measuring, comparing, and evaluating pupil size, shape, reactivity, and relative afferent pupillary defect.

Tonometry2%

Applanation tonometry, hand-held applanators, non-contact tonometry, and tonometer cleaning and disinfection.

Keratometry2%

Automated and manual keratometry.

Ocular Motility Testing12%

Versions, ductions, muscle functions and anomalies, near point convergence and accommodation, fusional convergence amplitudes, cover tests, prism measurement of strabismus, Worth 4-Dot, Maddox rod, Krimsky, stereoacuity, nystagmus, amblyopia therapy, and convergence training.

Lensometry4%

Automated and manual neutralisation of spectacles, Fresnel prism, ground-in prism, slab-off, and the Geneva lens clock.

Refraction, Retinoscopy and Refinement6%

Autorefraction, retinoscopy, refinement of sphere and cylinder in plus or minus cylinder, fogging, duochrome, binocular balance, vertex distance, transposition, spherical equivalent, and near add determination.

Biometry3%

Diagnostic/standardised A-scan and B-scan echography.

Supplemental Testing6%

Glare testing, potential acuity meter, slit lamp and slit lamp lenses, direct ophthalmoscopy, colour vision plates and specialised colour tests, pachymetry, anterior chamber depth, OCT and scanning laser testing, tear tests, contrast sensitivity, head and posture assessment, exophthalmometry, wavefront diagnostics, fusional amplitudes, Maddox rod, corneal sensitivity, fluorescein and ICG angiography phases, and identification of ERG, VEP, and EOG.

Microbiology2%

Types of microorganisms, pathways of disease transmission, assisting with conjunctival and corneal specimen collection, and Universal Precautions.

Pharmacology4%

Drug delivery routes, prescription components, drop and ointment instillation, and the indications, contraindications, and side effects of mydriatics, cycloplegics, glaucoma drugs, anti-infectives, allergy medications, steroids, NSAIDs, lubricants, anaesthetics, diagnostic agents, nutritional supplements, and anti-neovascular drugs.

Surgical Assisting4%

Instrument preparation and maintenance, aseptic technique, sterilisation, surgical site identification, refractive surgery, non-refractive laser therapy, YAG laser, intraocular injections, and laser safety.

Ophthalmic Patient Services and Education8%

Communication, care of diverse populations, patient education and counselling, dressings and shields, prosthetic and lens care instruction, urgency-based scheduling, first aid for acute ophthalmic emergencies, vital signs, CPR, charting, and patient flow.

General Medical Knowledge4%

Ocular anatomy and physiology, body systems, eye diseases by structure, ocular manifestations of systemic disease, cranial nerves III to VII, the visual pathway, medical terminology and abbreviations, and hazardous waste safety.

Optics and Spectacles2%

Cylinder transposition, prescriptions, vertex distance measurement and conversion, the Geneva lens clock, and progressive lens markings.

Contact Lenses7%

Lens types, wearing schedules, care systems, follow-up, contraindications and symptoms, fitting soft, rigid, toric, and bifocal lenses, and specialty lenses for irregular corneas, post-transplant eyes, keratoconus, cosmetic/prosthetic use, and bandage wear.

Ophthalmic Imaging9%

Fluorescein angiography, corneal topography, and scanning laser testing for glaucoma and retina (HRT, OCT).

Photography and Videography8%

Slit lamp and anterior segment photography, fundus photography, and external photography.

Equipment Maintenance and Repair1%

Changing instrument batteries, maintaining and calibrating equipment per manufacturer recommendations, emergency equipment, cleaning lenses and prisms, and supply inventory.

Medical Ethics, Legal and Regulatory Issues1%

Coding, government and institutional rules, quality assurance, ethical and legal standards, scribing, confidentiality, and informed consent.

What's Included

29 Chapters

Complete exam coverage

Practice Quizzes

With detailed explanations

Free to Start

No credit card required

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What's Next After the COMT?

After passing the COMT, you can pursue these career paths

OSA

Add the IJCAHPO Ophthalmic Surgical Assisting credential to formalise sterile first-assistant work in cataract, vitreoretinal and oculoplastic theatres.

Coming Soon

ROUB

Add the Registered Ophthalmic Ultrasound Biometrist credential to specialise in standardised A-scan biometry and IOL power measurement.

Coming Soon

CDOS

Add the Certified Diagnostic Ophthalmic Sonographer credential to specialise in diagnostic B-scan and ultrasound biomicroscopy of ocular and orbital pathology.

Coming Soon

COMT Exam FAQ

Official International Joint Commission on Allied Health Personnel in Ophthalmology (IJCAHPO) Resources

Verify information with these official sources

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