LASER TYPE RATINGS

for CERTIFIED LASER OPERATORS

Laser Type Rating Endorsements for Laser Operators - scroll to the bottom of the page for the links to print generic skills validation checklists

In addition to the academic, experience and background requirements for Laser Operators, applicants must also demonstrate practical ability in operating the laser(s) or intense pulsed light system(s) they will be operating. The applicant will demonstrate the ability to turn on the laser, operate its standby and other safety features, assemble and attach any accessories such as fibers or adapters, activate the various modes of laser operation and adjust the energy or power settings. Verification will be accomplished through a Skills Validation checklist for the type of laser used. This checklist must be endorsed by a person observing the applicant physically operating the equipment as prescribed in the checklist. Persons authorized to endorse this Skills Validation checklist are described in the NCLE Examinations and Admissions Policies, but generally include a manufacturer’s representative, Laser Safety Officer, Laser Consultant, Supervising Physician, or other Certified Laser Operator.

Such an endorsement of the Skills Validation checklist by any person does not constitute an endorsement of the applicants competency in performing medical/surgical or aesthetic procedures (see the Disclaimer & Clinical Licensing Issues), but instead constitutes an endorsement that the applicant is knowledgeable in the routine setup and operation of the laser equipment as described in the manufacturers operating manual and/or operating checklist.

 The Skills Validation is designed to be basic and generic so that this requirement remains valid, but is not onerous, considering the vast numbers and types of medical laser and intense pulsed light systems in use. These generic Skills Validation checklists are available on the NCLE website at www.LaserCertified.org. Manufacturers and manufacturer representatives may want to develop and use Skills Validation checklists that are specific to their device, and the NCLE will accept these checklists in lieu of the generic ones. The process for Skills Validation is designed to provide an easy mechanism for laser manufacturers and representatives to provide this service to their customers upon initial sale and installation of the equipment, so that the trained operators may apply for the “Certified Laser Operator” designation through the NCLE at a later time if desired and other requirements are met.

Type Rating Endorsements will be added to the successful applicants Laser Certification designation. For example the designation of “Certified Laser Operator / Surgical” will include one or more Laser Type Ratings under this designation. Current ratings include, but are not limited to, CO2, KTP, Nd:Yag, Ho:Yag, Pulsed Dye – Derm, Pulsed Dye – lithotripsy, Continuous Dye – PDT, Dye – ophthalmic, Pulsed Nd:Yag – ophthalmic, Argon, Krypton, Ruby, Alexandrite, Diode – ophthalmic, Diode – General Surgical, Diode – Hair Removal, Er:Yag, Q-switched Nd:Yag – Derm, Q-switched frequency doubled Nd:Yag – Derm, Intense Pulsed Light Systems (IPLs), XeCl – Derm, XeCl – Vascular,  ArFl.

The Type Rating endorsement will be specific to the type and model of laser used in the Skills Validation check and this will be indicated on the successful applicants certificate (i.e.; Alexandrite – Candela GentleLase). Though the Type Rating is specific to the manufacturer’s model of laser, all interested persons should infer from this Laser Certification that the holder of the Certification has the necessary basic skills to competently operate any manufacturer’s laser of the same type (i.e.; all CO2 lasers) after reviewing the operating manual for that specific laser. The NCLE will add additional manufacturer model specific Type Ratings to the applicants Certificate upon submission of subsequent Skills Validation Checklists, but these additional model type ratings are not required to validate the Certification for operation of all lasers within that class of laser (i.e., any CO2 laser, not just one make/model). Additional Type Ratings would be required for lasers that are of another type (i.e.; adding a Nd:Yag Type Rating to a Certified Laser Operator holding a current CO2 Type Rating).

SKILLS VALIDATION CHECKLISTS (Generic)

(Not yet posted - the Operator Certifications will be in effect by late summer early fall 2005, and checklists will be posted at that time)