Obtain a high school diploma or an equivalent, such as a General Educational Development test, or GED.
Work at least six months in the eye care field.
Apply online at the American Optometric Association, or AOA, website to sit for the test to become a Certified Paraoptometric, or CPO.
Study with the books recommended by the AOA, such as the "CPO Study Guide" published by the American Optometric Association Paraoptometric Section and "General Medical Knowledge for Eyecare Paraprofessionals" by Marvin Bittinger.
Pass your test to become certified as a CPO.
Work for five years in the eye care field and have documented proof from an employer. You can substitute certifications from the American Board of Opticianry, the National Contact
Lens Examiners, the Joint Commission on Allied Health Personnel in Ophthalmology, but you will need documentation of those, as well.
Earn certification as a CPO and complete six more months of work in the eye care field with that certification in order to sit for this exam. If you are enrolled in an optometric assistant program, you do not need to have CPO certification.
Enroll in an approved school for optometric assistants and maintain good grades. You can sit for your test in the last semester of your schooling, but make sure to take your test within three years of completing your course work.
Go to the AOA website and apply to sit for the certification test. Pass the test to get your certification as a Certified Paraoptometric Assistant, or CPOA.
Earn the CPOA title and work for an additional six months with this certification in the eye care industry. However, enrollment in a technician class excuses you from this requirement.
Enroll in a Accreditation Council on Optometric Education, or ACOE, approved course of study for optometric technicians and maintain good standing. If your school is not ACOE approved, you will have to take both a written and practical, or hands-on, Certified Paraoptimetric Technician, or CPOT, tests in order to become a technician. Take the certification within three years of completion of your studies to be eligible.
Visit the AOA website to register for the certification test. Sit for the test and pass to earn your CPOT certification.