The Commission on Paraoptometric Certification (CPC) offers a career-ladder certification consisting of three levels of expertise and a separate coding and billing certification for paraoptometrics. The certifications available are Certified Paraoptometric (CPO), Certified Paraoptometric Assistant (CPOA), and Certified Paraoptometric Technician (CPOT) and Certified Paraoptometric Coder, (CPOC).

• The CPO typically carries out a wide variety of front desk procedures such as scheduling appointments, recalling patients, handling insurance forms, accepting payments, and screening telephone calls. They may also be trained in the different styles of eyewear, frame repair and adjusting, office materials purchasing and other duties of a non-technical nature.

• Under the supervision of an optometrist, a CPOA may perform technical duties such as taking detailed patient histories, measuring visual acuity, measuring the curvature of the cornea (keratometry), glaucoma screening, blood pressure testing, and measuring the distance between the pupils of the eye.

• A CPOT may be responsible for all of the above as well as ordering prescription eyewear, modifying contact lenses, explaining contact lens care regimens, photographing the interior of the eye, supervising vision therapy and low-vision training and any other duties that the optometrist may delegate.

• A CPOC may be responsible for coding and billing in the optometric practice. Coders are responsible for ensuring that all of the information about diagnoses and procedures for patients is accurate and complete. A certified paraoptometric coder can be the first line of defense against non-compliance and improper coding for the provider.