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Registration Classes

The College registers opticians in following registration classes:

Registered Optician - Eyeglass Dispensing
Registered Optician - Contact Lens and Eyeglasss Dispensing
Registered Optician - Contact Lens Student
Non Practicing Registration

Registered Optician - Eyeglass Dispensing:  may dispense, fit and adjust eyeglasses,or subnormal vision devices based on the prescription of an optometrist, ophthalmologist or medical doctor.

Registered Optician - Contact Lens and Eyeglass Dispensing:  may dispense, fit and adjust contact lenses, eyeglasses,or subnormal vision devices based on the prescription of an optometrist, ophthalmologist or medical doctor.

Registered Optician - Contact Lens Student: may dispense eyeglasses, contact lenses or sub-normal vision devices only under supervision or direction of a registered optician, optometrist or ophthalmologist who is physically present in the place in which the dispensing takes place at the time it takes place.

Registered Optician - Non Practicing: must not be practicing in the Province of British Columbia in a position that they are performing the activities stated in the scope of practice laid out in Section 4 of the Optician Regualtions.

Non-registrant Class - Contact Lens Student
In order to obtain and keep a certificate of registration a Contact Lens Student must be enrolled in an approved British Columbia Opticianry program or be in the process of completing additional training, as ordered by the Registration Committee of the College of Opticians.

The Board of the College of Opticians of British Columbia (COBC) has determined that there are seven steps in the registration process.

Seven Steps to Registration Flow-Chart

Seven Steps to Registration

1. Applicant Applies for Registration with COBC

2. Preliminary Assessment of Application
   2.1 Resume of work experience
   2.2 Transcripts of formal education
   2.3 Letter of personal reference
   2.4 Letters of professional competence
   2.5 Letters of good standing
   2.6 ICES or IQAS
   2.7 Language proficiency
   2.8 Interview

3. Competency Gap Analysis

4. Registration Committee Assess Information

5. Bridging

6. Examination

7. Proceed to COBC Registration
   7.1 Proof of insurance
   7.2 Solemn declaration
   7.3 Criminal records check
   7.4 Payment of fees

The Bylaws of the COBC and the Agreement on Internal Trade (AIT) allow for some applicants to be exempted from certain steps in the process. 

There are generally three types of applicants for registration:

Applicant  1:
Graduate from Accredited Education
Applicants for registration as an optician in British Columbia must be a graduate from an educational program that is approved by the College of Opticians of British Columbia (COBC). The COBC approve programs accredited by the National Accreditation Committee of Opticians (NACO). Accreditation of opticianry programs is reviewed annually and completely reassessed every 6 years. An application for registration must have completed an approved education program or one deemed equivalent by the Board and must successfully challenge that National Optical Sciences Examinations. Applicants must successfully complete steps 1, 6 and 7.

Applicant 2:
Non Accredited Education Applicant
Canadian and international applicants who have not graduated from an accredited and approved program and are not registered in good standing with another Canadian optician regulator may be accepted for admission where they have a combination of knowledge, skills, experience and abilities which are, in the opinion of the registration committee, substantially equivalent to the requirements set out in the Bylaws for new applicants.  Such applicants, after they have completed a Prior Learning Assessment and Recognition, may be admitted with or without further examinations, education, training, experience and other upgrading and/or assessments as determined by the registration committee. Applicants may be required to successfully complete all steps in the process.

Applicant 3:
Nationally Registered Applicant
An applicant for a certificate of registration as an Optician who, at the time he/she applies, is licensed or registered, and in good standing, in another province or territory of Canada to dispense either eye glasses or contact lenses, will be accepted for registration without further examination in the similar category provided that he/she meets the general registration requirements. A registered Optician from Quebec or Ontario will be accepted as a registrant in both eyeglasses and contact lenses. Applicants must successfully complete steps 1, 2.5 and 7.

Policy on Routine Registrations

The policy on routine registrations creates an efficient internal process for approving applications for registrations, while providing necessary oversight by the registration committee. Please click here to view.

Assessment of Application of Non-Accredited Education

Type	Fee	GST	Total
Document Assessment Fee	165.00	8.25	173.25
Competency Gap Analyisis	600.00	30.00	630.00

College Fees

Initial Registration:

Classification	Document Assessment Fee	Registration Fee	GST	Total
Registered Optician	165.00	545.00	35.50	745.50
Registered Optician - Contact Lens	165.00	595.00	38.00	798.00
Registered Non Practicing Optician	165.00	370.00	26.75	561.75
Registered Student Optician	165.00	125.00	14.50	304.50