How Do I Become an Optician or Optometrist Assistant

Education:

Successful completion of an accredited optician program at an institution recognized by the College of Opticians of British Columbia (COBC).
 

Licensing Exam:

Opticians who have completed their education must then write and pass the National Optical Sciences Examination administered by the National Alliance of Canadian Optician Regulators NACOR.  NACOR currently offers two licensing exams:

Optical Sciences 1 – Eyeglasses Examination

Optical Sciences 2 – Advanced Contact Lens Examination

To become licensed as an optician and contact lens fitter, an applicant must pass both exams. To become licensed as an optician only, the applicant only needs to pass Optical Sciences 1.

Registration:

College of Opticians of BC (COBC) registers/certifies opticians in BC who have completed an accredited education program, passed the NACOR exam, have a clear criminal record check and met other COBC registration requirements.  Only Licensed Opticians can use the protected title “Optician” and perform restricted activities, like automated refraction and contact lens fitting.

The College licenses opticians in the following registration classes:

• Registered Optician – Eyeglass Dispensing
• Registered Optician – Contact Lens and Eyeglass Dispensing
• Registered Optician – Contact Lens Student
• Registered Optician – Non Practicing

Additional Source: WorkBC

International applicants who did not graduate from a recognized Canadian program may apply through the College of Opticians of BC ‘Prior Learning Assessment and Recognition (PLAR)’ process.  PLAR assesses the candidate's eligibility to become a licensed optician in BC. This assessment entails an initial document assessment, a Competency Gap Analysis, and in-person interview.  These results are then considered by the Registration Committee to ascertain if the candidate is eligible to challenge the national examination (NACOR) or must complete bridging courses to meet the entry-to-practice standards for opticianry in Canada.  

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In BC, no certification is required to work as an optometrist assistant.  Most employers look for successful completion of secondary education and some experience in a retail or health clinic environment. Most assistants receive on the job training at a retail optometry store or clinic.

Certified Optometric Assistant CCOA program [voluntary certification]

Optometrist assistants interested in advancing their skills may apply to the Canadian Certified Optometric Assistant CCOA program, an online distance education program.  The CCOA program includes nine course modules, a practicum, one workshop and a final examination.

Application requirements include current employment with a CAO – Canadian Association of Optometrists member optometrist for the duration of the CCOA program.

For more information, see: