Stay Accredited
To maintain ICA accreditation, programs must submit Annual Fees (due by September 1) and an Annual Report (when applicable, due by December 1), every year. After a program's three-year initial accreditation status has fully commenced, the program will need to apply for continuing accreditation.* ICA accredits four levels of training programs for the ophthalmic medical technician.**
Programs currently accredited under CoA-OMP will continue under the CoA-OMP standards until the next accreditation cycle. The change to the ICA standards will occur at the time of the program’s next full re-accreditation.
* Continuing accreditation is granted for a maximum period of five years.
** It is not uncommon for the accreditation process to take up to or longer than, six to eight months after all required and appropriately completed documents are received.
Click on the level of training program desired for the Continuing Accreditation Process.
Step 1
Review the Standards and Guidelines
Responsible Party: Program
You must fully understand the Standards that are in place to achieve accreditation, read them carefully.
Step 2
Complete the Self-Study Template
Responsible Party: Program
ICA provides a Self-Study Template, which will guide programs through the evaluation process.
Step 3
Submit the completed Self-Study Template and Fee to ICA
Responsible Party: Program
Both items must be submitted to ICA to enter the accreditation process.
Step 4
ICA Board Member reviews the completed Self-Study
Responsible Party: ICA
One ICA Board Member will do a thorough evaluation of the Self-Study.
Step 5
ICA Board Reviewer may request additional information
Responsible Party: ICA
The Program is sent a letter notifying them of the citations and the additional information needed by the ICA Board Reviewer.
Step 6
Program sends the additional information requested by the ICA Board Reviewer
Responsible Party: Program
Step 7
ICA Board Reviewer evaluates additional information
Responsible Party: ICA
Step 8
If additional information is approved, the ICA Board Reviewer will request a Paper Review
Responsible Party: ICA
The approved Self-Study is then forwarded to two Non-Board Member Reviewers to ensure completeness and analysis for citations.
Repeat steps 5 - 7 if the two non-board reviewers request additional information
Step 9
Reviewers Report generated
Responsible Party: ICA
The Reviewers' Report highlights the results of the reviewers' analysis of the Self-Study.
Step 10
Findings Letter drafted and sent to Program
Responsible Party: ICA
The Findings Letter is an overview of the Reviewers' Reports, which provides the results of the Self-Study review to the program.
Step 11
Program receives the Findings Letter and must provide a response to the Findings Letter to ICA
Responsible Party: Program
Step 12
ICA receives the Program's response to the Findings Letter and the ICA Board Reviewer makes a recommendation of accreditation
Responsible Party: ICA
Step 13
ICA Board of Directors will meet and review the ICA Board Reviewer's Recommendation of Accreditation, the Findings Letter, and the Program's response to the Findings Letter
Responsible Party: ICA
The full ICA Board of Directors meets three times a year to vote on accreditation recommendations.
Step 14
Program is sent notification of accreditation action
Responsible Party: ICA
The program is sent a letter stating whether accreditation was granted or denied or if the ICA Board of Directors needs additional information.
Step 15
Dependent on ICA Board of Directors vote
Responsible Party: Program
If Initial Accreditation was granted, the next comprehensive evaluation will be in five years. To maintain ICA accreditation, programs must submit Annual Fees (due by September 1) and an Annual Report (when applicable, due by December 1), every year.
If Initial Accreditation was negative (denied, withheld, or tabled), the program has the opportunity to request reconsideration. Program sends request within ten (10) days. Program responds to citations (or reasons for denial) within thirty (30) days.
Step 16
ICA Board Reviewer will evaluate Program's response, makes another Recommendation, repeats Steps 13 - 16
Responsible Party: ICA
Step 1
Review the Standards and Guidelines
Responsible Party: Program
You must fully understand the Standards that are in place to achieve accreditation. Read them carefully.
Step 2
Complete the Self-Study Template
Responsible Party: Program
ICA provides a Self-Study Template, which will guide programs through the evaluation process.
Step 3
Submit the completed Self-Study Template and Fee to ICA
Responsible Party: Program
Both items must be submitted to ICA to enter the accreditation process.
Step 4
ICA Board Member reviews the completed Self-Study
Responsible Party: ICA
One ICA Board Member will do a thorough evaluation of the Self-Study.
Step 5
ICA Board Reviewer may request additional information
Responsible Party: ICA
The Program is sent a letter notifying them of the citations and the additional information needed by the ICA Board Reviewer.
Step 6
Program sends additional information requested by the ICA Board Reviewer
Responsible Party: Program
Step 7
ICA Board Reviewer evaluates the additional information
Responsible Party: ICA
Step 8
If additional information is approved, the ICA Board Reviewer will request a Site Visit
Responsible Party: ICA
The Program is sent a letter requesting 3 sets of dates 3-6 months in the future to have a site visit.
Step 9
Program sends ICA three (3) sets of dates
Responsible Party: Program
Once ICA receives the dates, staff will begin to schedule the site visit.
Step 10
ICA will send the Program a Program Director's Packet
Responsible Party: ICA
This packet will have instructions and items that need to be available for the site visit.
Step 11
Site Visit
Responsible Party: Program
All costs endured by the site visitors is the responsibility of the program.
Step 12
Site Visit Report is generated by ICA
Responsible Party: ICA
Step 13
Site Visit Findings Letter is drafted and sent to the Program
Responsible Party: ICA
The Site Visit Findings Letter is an overview of the Site Visit Report, which provides the results of the site visit to the program.
Step 14
Program receives the Site Visit Findings Letter and must provide a response to the Site Visit Findings Letter to ICA
Responsible Party: Program
Step 15
ICA receives response to the Site Visit Findings Letter and the ICA Board Reviewer will make a Recommendation of Accreditation
Responsible Party: ICA
Step 16
ICA Board of Directors will meet and review the ICA Board Reviewer's Recommendation of Accreditation, the Site Visit Findings Letter, and the Program's response to the Site Visit Findings Letter
Responsible Party: ICA
The full ICA Board of Directors meets three times a year to vote on accreditation recommendations.
Step 17
Program is sent notification of accreditation action
Responsible Party: ICA
The Program is sent a letter stating whether accreditation was granted or denied or if the ICA Board of Directors needs additional information.
Step 18
Dependent on ICA Board of Directors vote
Responsible Party: Program
If Initial Accreditation was granted, the next comprehensive evaluation will be in five years. To maintain ICA accreditation, programs must submit Annual Fees (due by September 1) and an Annual Report (when applicable, due by December 1), every year.
If Initial Accreditation was negative (denied, withheld, or tabled), the program has the opportunity to request reconsideration. Program sends request within ten (10) days. Program responds to citations (or reasons for denial) within thirty (30) days.
Step 19
ICA Board Reviewer will review programs response, makes another recommendation, repeats Steps 15-18
Responsible Party: ICA
Step 1
Review the Standards and Guidelines
Responsible Party: Program
You must fully understand the Standards that are in place to achieve accreditation. Read them carefully.
Step 2
Complete the Self-Study Template
Responsible Party: Program
ICA provides a Self-Study Template, which will guide programs through the evaluation process.
Step 3
Submit the completed Self-Study Template and Fee to ICA
Responsible Party: Program
Both items must be submitted to ICA to enter the accreditation process.
Step 4
ICA Board Member reviews the completed Self-Study
Responsible Party: ICA
One ICA Board Member will do a thorough evaluation of the Self-Study.
Step 5
ICA Board Reviewer may request additional information
Responsible Party: ICA
The program is sent a letter notifying them of the citations and the additional information needed by the ICA Board Reviewer.
Step 6
Program sends the additional information requested by the ICA Board Reviewer
Responsible Party: Program
Step 7
ICA Board Reviewer evaluates the additional information
Responsible Party: ICA
Step 8
If additional information is approved, the ICA Board Reviewer will request a Site Visit
Responsible Party: ICA
The Program is sent a letter requesting three (3) sets of dates 3-6 months in the future to have a site visit.
Step 9
Program sends ICA three (3) sets of dates
Responsible Party: Program
Once ICA receives the dates, staff will begin to schedule the site visit.
Step 10
ICA will send the program a Program Director's Packet
Responsible Party: ICA
This packet will have instructions and items that need to be available for the site visit.
Step 11
Site Visit
Responsible Party: Program
All costs endured by the site visitors is the responsibility of the program.
Step 12
Site Visit Report is generated by ICA
Responsible Party: ICA
Step 13
Site Visit Findings Letter is drafted and sent to the Program
Responsible Party: ICA
The Site Visit Findings Letter is an overview of the Site Visit Report, which provides the results of the site visit to the program.
Step 14
Program receives the Site Visit Findings Letter and must provide a response to the Site Visit Findings Letter to ICA
Responsible Party: Program
Step 15
ICA receives response to the Site Visit Findings Letter and the ICA Board Reviewer will make a Recommendation of Accreditation
Responsible Party: ICA
Step 16
The ICA Board of Directors will meet and review the ICA Board Reviewer's Recommendation of Accreditation, the Site Visit Findings Letter, and the Program's response to the Site Visit Findings Letter
Responsible Party: ICA
The full ICA Board of Directors meets three times a year to vote on accreditation recommendations.
Step 17
Program is sent notification of accreditation action
Responsible Party: ICA
The Program is sent a letter stating whether accreditation was granted or denied or if the ICA Board of Directors needs additional information.
Step 18
Dependent on ICA Board of Directors vote
Responsible Party: Program
If Initial Accreditation was granted, the next comprehensive evaluation will be in five years. To maintain ICA accreditation, programs must submit Annual Fees (due by September 1) and an Annual Report (when applicable, due by December 1), every year.
If Initial Accreditation was negative (denied, withheld, or tabled), the program has the opportunity to request reconsideration. Program sends request within ten (10) days. Program responds to citations (or reasons for denial) within thirty (30) days.
Step 19
ICA Board Reviewer will evaluate Program's response, makes another recommendation, repeats Steps 15-18
Responsible Party: ICA
Step 1
Review the Standards and Guidelines
Responsible Party: Program
You must fully understand the Standards that are in place to achieve accreditation. Read them carefully.
Step 2
Complete the Self-Study Template
Responsible Party: Program
ICA provides a Self-Study Template, which will guide programs through the evaluation process.
Step 3
Submit the completed Self-Study Template and Fee to ICA
Responsible Party: Program
Both items must be submitted to ICA to enter the accreditation process.
Step 4
ICA Board Member reviews the completed Self-Study
Responsible Party: ICA
One ICA Board Member will do a thorough evaluation of the Self-Study.
Step 5
ICA Board Reviewer may request additional information
Responsible Party: ICA
The program is sent a letter notifying them of the citations and the additional information needed by the ICA Board Reviewer.
Step 6
Program sends the additional information requested by the ICA Board Reviewer
Responsible Party: Program
Step 7
ICA Board Reviewer evaluates the additional information
Responsible Party: ICA
Step 8
If additional information is approved, the ICA Board Reviewer will request a Site Visit
Responsible Party: ICA
The Program is sent a letter requesting three (3) sets of dates 3-6 months in the future to have a site visit.
Step 9
The Program sends ICA three (3) sets of dates
Responsible Party: Program
Once ICA receives the dates, staff will begin to schedule the site visit.
Step 10
ICA will send the Program a Program Director's Packet
Responsible Party: ICA
This packet will have instructions and items that need to be available for the site visit.
Step 11
Site Visit
Responsible Party: Program
All costs endured by the site visitors is the responsibility of the program.
Step 12
Site Visit Report is generated by ICA
Responsible Party: ICA
Step 13
Site Visit Findings Letter is drafted and sent to the program
Responsible Party: ICA
The Site Visit Findings Letter is an overview of the Site Visit Report, which provides the results of the site visit to the program.
Step 14
Program receives the Site Visit Findings Letter and must provide a response to the Site Visit Findings Letter to ICA
Responsible Party: Program
Step 15
ICA receives response to the Site Visit Findings Letter and the ICA Board Reviewer will make a Recommendation of Accreditation
Responsible Party: ICA
Step 16
The ICA Board of Directors will meet and review the ICA Board Reviewer's Recommendation of Accreditation, the Site Visit Findings Letter, and the Program's response to the Site Visit Findings Letter
Responsible Party: ICA
The full ICA Board of Directors meets three times a year to vote on accreditation recommendations.
Step 17
Program is sent notification of accreditation action
Responsible Party: ICA
The Program is sent a letter stating whether accreditation was granted or denied or if the ICA Board of Directors needs additional information.
Step 18
Dependent on ICA Board of Directors vote
Responsible Party: Program
If Initial Accreditation was granted, the next comprehensive evaluation will be in five years. To maintain ICA accreditation, programs must submit Annual Fees (due by September 1) and an Annual Report (when applicable, due by December 1), every year.
If Initial Accreditation was negative (denied, withheld, or tabled), the program has the opportunity to request reconsideration. Program sends request within ten (10) days. Program responds to citations (or reasons for denial) within thirty (30) days.
Step 19
ICA Board Reviewer will review Program's response, makes another recommendation, repeats Steps 15-18
Responsible Party: ICA
