The COBC registration period runs from April 1 to March 31 every year. Registrants of the College of Opticians of British Columbia are required to renew their registrations on an annual basis.  Registrants will normally receive their annual registration renewal application in the mail during the month of February.

Registrants are required to submit to the College a completed renewal form along with supporting documentation and payment. Renewal forms that are incomplete, missing documentation or contain insufficient payment will NOT be processed. Supporting documents include:

• Mandatory Continuing Education

Registrants are required to complete mandatory continuing education credits in order to renew if their assigned cycle is due.  For more information on mandatory continuing education, please visit the section on Continuing Education.

• Proof of Insurance

COBC reminds all practicing registrants to submit proof of their professional liability insurance. This can be a certificate of insurance or a letter issued by the insurance broker. Policies must be sent directly to COBC by the registrant, the employer or the insurance broker. The policy must contain:

• Name of the Insurer
• Registrant’s name
• Expiration date of the policy
• Insurance liability of at least $1,000,000 per occurrence

Renewal Registration Payment Amounts:

Type of Registrant	Total Fee
Registered Optician	367.50
Registered Contact Lens Fitter Optician	420.00
Registered Optician/Student Contact lens Fitter	420.00
Non-practicing Registrant	183.75
Student Contact Lens Fitter	131.25
Late Penalty (After March 31)	Total Fee
Registered Optician	110.25
Registered Contact Lens Fitter Optician	128.63
Registered Optician/Student Contact Lens Fitter	156.19
Non-practicing Registrant	45.94
Student Contact Lens Fitter	45.94
NSF Cheque	21.00

Please make sure your mailing address is up to date in the College mailing list. You may contact the College or submit a change of address application to update your file.

Failure to Renew Registration

Failure to submit a completed renewal of registration form or payment by the COBC deadline results in the Optician's name being removed from the register, which means that they are no longer legally able to practise as a Dispensing Optician or Contact Lens Fitter.

Members of the public can make sure that an Optician is properly registered with the COBC by contacting the COBC or by verifying that the Optician has affixed the renewal decal for the current year on their registration certificate. All Opticians are required to display their registration certificate in a prominent location in their practice.

Income Tax Receipt & Renewal Decals

Official Income Tax Receipts and renewal decals are mailed after the registration renewal process is complete, provided that your renewal application is accurate and correct, that adequate documentary evidence of insurance is attached and the fees are received or post-marked by the due date of March 31st. If you need a duplicate tax receipt, please complete the Duplicate Receipt form and include an administration fee of $10.50.