The American Optometric Association Celebrates Paraoptometric Appreciation Month 2026

September 1, 2026—St. Louis— This September, the American Optometric Association (AOA) is recognizing the optometric practice staff who play a vital role in the success of optometric practices through Paraoptometric Appreciation Month. The AOA encourages doctors of optometry, practices, and the industry at large to participate in the annual observance by celebrating, empowering, and advancing paraoptometrics throughout the month and year-round.

As demand for primary eye health and vision care services provided by doctors of optometry continues to increase, skilled paraoptometric staff, including opticians, contact lens technicians, optometric scribes, front-office staff, practice managers, and others, are essential to help practices meet the evolving needs of patients and deliver high-quality care.

“Paraoptometrics are essential partners in delivering the care patients count on and keeping practices moving forward,” said Teri K. Geist, O.D., president of the AOA. “Paraoptometric Appreciation Month is an important opportunity to recognize the expertise, care, and commitment they bring every day, while also investing in the education and professional development that can help them, and the practices they support, continue to thrive.”

Celebrate Paraoptometric Professionals

September provides an opportunity for doctors of optometry and practice leaders to recognize staff achievements, celebrate professional milestones and highlight important contributions paraoptometric professionals make to practices and the patient experience.

AOA members and others are encouraged to share their appreciation on social media using #AOAParaMonth2026 and following the AOA Paraoptometric Connection and Commission on Paraoptometric Certification Facebook pages, as well as the AOA on Facebook, Instagram, and LinkedIn. 

Empower Staff Through AOA Associate Membership

AOA member doctors can enroll eligible practice staff as AOA associate members at no cost, providing access to educational resources, professional programs, and event discounts.

AOA associate membership includes access to:

• Training and certification-preparation materials through AOA EyeLearn, including courses approved for Commission on Paraoptometric Certification (CPC) credit and AOA continuing education hours.
• Member rates for AOA events, including Optometry’s Meeting®.
• National volunteer and networking opportunities.
• CPC and AOA publications and newsletters.

Advance Through Paraoptometric Certification

Paraoptometric certification gives practice staff an opportunity to strengthen their skills and demonstrate their knowledge through continuing education and professional development. Developed by a panel of AOA doctors and paraoptometrics, each level of certification requires successful completion of an examination prepared and administered by the CPC, with assistance from Professional Testing Corporation (PTC).

Practices can support staff pursuing certification by directing them to the CPC Paraoptometric Examination Candidate Handbook, which outlines the application and examination process, certification requirements, and renewal procedures. It is required reading before candidates apply for and take a certification examination and serves as a reference throughout the certification process.

Continue Learning Through EyeLearn

The AOA EyeLearn Professional Development Hub is a member-exclusive education resource offering an expanding catalog of continuing education, professional development courses, webinars and resources designed to help advance their clinical proficiencies and practice management expertise.

With education and professional development available when and where staff are ready to learn, EyeLearn helps support lifelong learning and career advancement.

For more information, visit the Paraoptometric Member Center. Questions about enrolling paraoptometric staff or associate member benefits may be directed to the AOA Member Services at memberservices@aoa.org. For questions about EyeLearn, contact the AOA Education Center at educationcenter@aoa.org.

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About the American Optometric Association 

The American Optometric Association (AOA) represents more than 50,000 doctors of optometry, students and professionals who provide the majority of eye health and vision care in over 10,000 U.S. communities. As the leading voice for quality eye care, the AOA advances the profession through cutting-edge education, practice-changing resources, singular advocacy, and public education about the profession, ensuring patients nationwide have trusted access to essential, in-person eye health and vision care with member doctors of optometry.