NCLE Contact Lens Registry Exam (CLRE)
At a glance
- Questions
- 100
- Time limit
- 2h
- Passing score
- Criterion-referenced exam
- Exam fee
- $225
- Governing body
- American Board of Opticianry & National…
Quick answers
How much does the NCLE CLRE exam cost?
The NCLE CLRE exam fee is $225.
How many questions is the NCLE CLRE exam?
The NCLE CLRE exam has 100 questions with a time limit of 2 hours.
The Contact Lens Registry Examination (CLRE) is a national certification exam for contact lens fitters and dispensers, administered by the American Board of Opticianry & National Contact Lens Examiners (ABO-NCLE). It verifies the knowledge needed to safely fit, dispense, and follow up on contact lens wear, and many states require it for licensure or certification in eye care and optical dispensing roles.
Overview
The CLRE knowledge test is organized into eight content domains, weighted from ocular anatomy through regulatory and administrative topics. Dispensing and follow-up carry the heaviest weight, together making up 40% of the scored questions.
- Domain I. Ocular Anatomy, Physiology, and Pathology — 12 questions
- Domain II. Refractive Errors — 5 questions
- Domain III. Instrumentation for Measurement and Observation — 12 questions
- Domain IV. Prefitting — 15 questions
- Domain V. Diagnostic Fitting — 11 questions
- Domain VI. Dispensing — 20 questions
- Domain VII. Follow-Up — 20 questions
- Domain VIII. Regulatory and Administrative — 5 questions
Cost and registration
The CLRE costs $225, payable by credit card at the time of online registration. If you request an appeal to verify your exam result, that carries an additional $75 fee, and rescheduling or transferring your appointment has its own $75 fee. For any other fees or the most current pricing, confirm with the official ABO-NCLE Exam Handbook.
Exam format
Candidates are delivered 125 multiple-choice questions, of which 85-100 are scored — the remainder are unscored pilot items used to evaluate future questions. The exam has a 2-hour time limit. Arrive at the testing center at least 30 minutes before your appointment; arriving 15 minutes or more after your scheduled time is considered tardy and can cost you your seat.
The CLRE is a criterion-referenced exam: instead of a fixed passing percentage, ABO-NCLE sets the minimum passing score using the Modified Angoff Method, with a panel of subject matter experts reviewing every item. Consult the official ABO-NCLE Exam Handbook for the current scoring methodology.
How the NCLE CLRE practice bank covers the outline
61 practice questions across 8 outline areas.
Counts are the live question bank, grouped by the outline area each question was written to.
Verified facts about the NCLE CLRE exam
7 statements, each bound to the official document it was taken from. The source link beside every line opens that document.
Requirements and rules
- Abo-ncle.org is the official website of the certifying body for the CLRE
- American Board of Opticianry & National Contact Lens Examiners, Inc. (ABO-NCLE)
- High school diploma, GED, or equivalent (exceptions may apply for high school students enrolled in dual programs)
- American Board of Opticianry & National Contact Lens Examiners, Inc. (ABO-NCLE)
- Official page hosting all current ABO-NCLE candidate exam handbooks, including the CLRE Basic Exam Handbook
- American Board of Opticianry & National Contact Lens Examiners, Inc. (ABO-NCLE)
- Criterion-referenced exam; minimum passing score set via the Modified Angoff Method by a Subject Matter Expert panel
- American Board of Opticianry & National Contact Lens Examiners, Inc. (ABO-NCLE)
Numbers
What is tested
- Domain III. Instrumentation for Measurement and Observation
- American Board of Opticianry & National Contact Lens Examiners, Inc. (ABO-NCLE)
- Domain I. Ocular Anatomy, Physiology, and Pathology
- American Board of Opticianry & National Contact Lens Examiners, Inc. (ABO-NCLE)
Frequently asked questions
How many questions are on the CLRE and how long do I have?
The CLRE delivers 125 multiple-choice questions, of which 85-100 are scored, and candidates get a 2-hour time limit to complete it.
How much does the CLRE cost?
The CLRE costs $225, payable by credit card at the time you register online.
What are the eligibility requirements to sit for the CLRE?
Candidates need a high school diploma, GED, or equivalent, though exceptions may apply for high school students enrolled in dual-credit programs.
What happens if I don't pass the CLRE?
You get three total attempts to pass. You must wait at least 14 days before retaking after an unsuccessful attempt, and if you're still unsuccessful after your third try, you must wait 90 days before trying again.
How is the CLRE passing score determined?
The CLRE is a criterion-referenced exam without a published scaled cut score. ABO-NCLE sets the minimum passing standard using the Modified Angoff Method, with a panel of subject matter experts reviewing every item.
How often do I need to renew my CLRE certification?
Certification must be renewed every 3 years, and there's only a 90-day grace period after it expires before you would need to retest to regain it.
Sources
- 1.ABO-NCLE Basic Exam Handbook, February 2025 — American Board of Opticianry & National Contact Lens Examiners, Inc. (ABO-NCLE) (accessed Aug 9, 2026)
Official sources
The official documents our facts about this exam are taken from.
- ABO-NCLE Basic Exam Handbook, February 2025American Board of Opticianry & National Contact Lens Examiners, Inc. (ABO-NCLE)abo-ncle.org
- ABO-NCLE official homepageAmerican Board of Opticianry & National Contact Lens Examiners, Inc. (ABO-NCLE)abo-ncle.org
- ABO-NCLE Exam Handbooks (official listing page)American Board of Opticianry & National Contact Lens Examiners, Inc. (ABO-NCLE)abo-ncle.org
Last verified against American Board of Opticianry & National Contact Lens Examiners's official sources:
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