Optometrists – Applicants

The optometry programs of the following institutions are recognized schools of optometry:

Canada

• École d’Optométrie, University of Montreal
• University of Waterloo School of Optometry & Vision Science

United States

• Ferris State University Michigan College of Optometry
• Illinois College of Optometry
• Indiana University School of Optometry
• Inter-American University of Puerto Rico, School of Optometry
• MCPHS University School of Optometry
• Midwestern University Arizona College of Optometry
• Midwestern University Chicago College of Optometry
• New England College of Optometry
• Northeastern State University, Oklahoma College of Optometry
• Nova Southeastern University College of Optometry
• Ohio State University College of Optometry
• Pacific University College of Optometry
• Pennsylvania College of Optometry at Salus University
• Southern California College of Optometry at Marshall B. Ketchum University
• Southern College of Optometry
• State University of New York, College of Optometry
• University of Alabama at Birmingham School of Optometry
• University of California, Berkeley School of Optometry
• University of Houston College of Optometry
• University of Missouri – St. Louis, School of Optometry
• University of Pikeville – Kentucky College of Optometry
• University of the Incarnate Word Rosenberg School of Optometry
• Western University of Health Sciences College of Optometry

Internationally Trained Students

• If you graduated from a school other than one listed, you are required to successfully complete the Advanced Standing Optometry Preparatory Program (ASOPP) at the University of Waterloo.

In order to practise optometry in British Columbia, you must complete the Registration Application, submit all documents required by that form, pay the Assessment of registration application fee and the Jurisprudence fee, attend the College’s mandatory Orientation Session and successfully pass the Jurisprudence Examination. Please note that successfully completing the Jurisprudence Examination and Orientation is the final step in your application process.

Registration Application Submitted – Things to Know

You must notify the College, as soon as possible, if any information in your application changes.

Applications are valid for one (1) year from the date the application is received by the College. If your application is not completed within this time, you will have to re-apply, pay the application fee set out in Schedule E, and submit all supporting documentation required by the Bylaws current at the time of the application.

Documents for registration submitted in acceptable form are reviewed to ensure compliance with the current regulatory scheme and recorded and filed in accordance with established College policies and practice. The original documents are to be retained as the property of the College.

The Jurisprudence Examination fee, as set out in Schedule E, is 50% refundable if a written request for refund is received by the College prior to the registration application deadline for the next sitting of the Jurisprudence Exam if the registration application is withdrawn. The Assessment of registration application fee is not refundable.

If you have recently graduated from a Recognized School of Optometry and wish to apply for registration to practise optometry in British Columbia, you are required to successfully complete the application process summarized below, attend the College Orientation Session and successfully pass the Jurisprudence Examination.

Step 1

• Please click Registrant Login and sign up by entering your e-mail address. Once you have the login details, please choose what registration class you are applying for.  Please complete the online Form 7: Registration Application, pay the assessment of registration application fee, and send the notarized form to the College office, along with the following:
• Notarized copy of government issued photo ID. (Only a driver’s license or Identification card will be an acceptable form of a government issued ID)
• A passport photo, to be taken within 6 months of completion of this application.
• Proof of Canadian citizenship or permanent resident status in Canada, or authority to work in Canada in a health care profession (e.g., a copy of your Canadian passport, permanent resident card, or work permit).
• Authorization for a criminal record check (for applicants who have resided in another jurisdiction, an authorization for a criminal record check in that jurisdiction or a criminal record report in a form satisfactory to the registrar).
• Arrange for your academic transcripts (undergraduate and graduate), to be sent directly to the College. If you have not yet graduated, arrange for the institution at which you are studying to provide the College with a letter that states your 4th year enrolment status, and expected date of graduation. Upon graduation, a final transcript must be provided to the College from the issuing institution.
• Complete the applicable waiver form(s):
  • OEBC Waiver Form
  • NBEO Waiver Form
• Arrange for OEBC or NBEO transcript to be sent to the College.
• The College accepts successful completion of NBEO (parts I, II, III) as equivalent to OEBC.
• Certificate of Standing from each regulatory body that has previously registered, licensed, certified or otherwise authorized you to practise optometry or another health profession. The letter must be dated within 30 days of your registration being issued.

Step 2

If all items noted above are received and deemed acceptable, you will be asked to confirm your attendance of the Jurisprudence Examination & College Orientation Session and pay the $200 Jurisprudence fee. Prepare for the Jurisprudence. This is an open book exam.

Step 3

Upon successful completion of the Jurisprudence Exam, to become registered with the College, you will be required to pay the applicable registration fee set out in Schedule E. If your application is denied, the reasons and next steps will be outlined in the Registrar’s letter.

If you are an internationally trained optometrist who has graduated from a school other than one listed as a Recognized School of Optometry, you are required to successfully complete the Advanced Standing Optometry Preparatory Program (ASOPP) at the University of Waterloo.

Important Note: As of September 19, 2014, the Federation of Optometric Regulatory Authorities of Canada (FORAC), formerly known as CORA is responsible for the credential assessment of candidates. Any optometrist educated outside North America intending on applying for registration or licensure to practise optometry in any province of Canada, other than Quebec, must contact FORAC. Please review steps 3 through 8 on FORAC’s website, which provides detailed information regarding the credentialing process for internationally trained optometrists. You may contact FORAC directly by calling (416) 644-0055 or email ac.coraf-carof@gnilaitnederc

Upon Successful Completion of Advanced Standing Optometry Preparatory Program

You will be required to successfully complete the application process summarized below, attend the College Orientation Session and successfully pass the Jurisprudence Examination.

Step 1

• Please click Registrant Login and sign up by entering your e-mail address. Once you have the login details, please choose what registration class you are applying for.  Please complete the online Form 7: Registration Application, pay the assessment of registration application fee, and send the notarized form to the College office, along with the following:
• Notarized copy of government issued photo ID. (Only a driver’s license or Identification card will be an acceptable form of a government issued ID)
• A passport photo, to be taken within 6 months of completion of this application.
• Proof of Canadian citizenship or permanent resident status in Canada, or authority to work in Canada in a health care profession (e.g., a copy of your Canadian passport, permanent resident card, or work permit).
• Authorization for a criminal record check (for applicants who have resided in another jurisdiction, an authorization for a criminal record check in that jurisdiction or a criminal record report in a form satisfactory to the registrar).
• Certificate of Standing from each regulatory body that has previously registered, licensed, certified or otherwise authorized you to practise optometry or another health profession. The letter must be dated within 30 days of your registration being issued.
• A statement from you listing all pending complaints, claims, actions, inquiries or proceedings against you in British Columbia or any other jurisdiction.
• Verification of fulfilment of continuing education requirements.
• Arrange for your academic transcripts (undergraduate and graduate), to be sent directly to the College.
• Arrange for a letter from ASOPP confirming your successful completion of the bridging program and exit exam.
• Complete the OEBC Waiver Form, and arrange for the OEBC results to be sent directly to the College by the issuing authority.

Step 2

If all items noted above are received and deemed acceptable, you will be asked to confirm your attendance of the Jurisprudence Examination & College Orientation Session and pay the $200 Jurisprudence fee. Prepare for the Jurisprudence. This is an open book exam.

Step 3

Upon successful completion of the Jurisprudence Exam, to become registered with the College, you will be required to pay the applicable registration fee set out in Schedule E. If your application is denied, the reasons and next steps will be outlined in the Registrar’s letter.

If you are currently registered to practise optometry in another jurisdiction and have graduated from a Recognized School of Optometry, you are required to successfully complete the application process summarized below, attend the College Orientation Session and successfully pass the Jurisprudence Examination.

Step 1

• Please click Registrant Login and sign up by entering your e-mail address. Once you have the login details, please choose what registration class you are applying for.  Please complete the online Form 7: Registration Application, pay the assessment of registration application fee, and send the notarized form to the College office, along with the following:
• Notarized copy of government issued photo ID. (Only a driver’s license or Identification card will be an acceptable form of a government issued ID)
• A passport photo, to be taken within 6 months of completion of this application.
• Proof of Canadian citizenship or permanent resident status in Canada, or authority to work in Canada in a health care profession (e.g., a copy of your Canadian passport, permanent resident card, or work permit).
• Authorization for a criminal record check (for applicants who have resided in another jurisdiction, an authorization for a criminal record check in that jurisdiction or a criminal record report in a form satisfactory to the registrar).
• Certificate of Standing from each regulatory body that has previously registered, licensed, certified or otherwise authorized you to practise optometry or another health profession. The letter must be dated within 30 days of your registration being issued.
• A statement from you listing all pending complaints, claims, actions, inquiries or proceedings against you in British Columbia or any other jurisdiction.
• Verification of fulfilment of continuing education requirements.
• Arrange for your academic transcripts (undergraduate and graduate), to be sent directly to the College.
• Complete the applicable waiver form(s):
  • OEBC Waiver Form
  • NBEO Waiver Form
• Arrange for OEBC or NBEO transcript to be sent to the College.
• The College accepts successful completion of NBEO (parts I, II, III) as equivalent to OEBC.

Step 2

If all items noted above are received and deemed acceptable, you will be asked to confirm your attendance of the Jurisprudence Examination & College Orientation Session and pay the $200 Jurisprudence fee. Prepare for the Jurisprudence. This is an open book exam. 

Step 3

Upon successful completion of the Jurisprudence Exam, to become registered with the College, you will be required to pay the applicable registration fee set out in Schedule E. If your application is denied, the reasons and next steps will be outlined in the Registrar’s letter.

• Statutory Declaration for Academic Registration Form
• Statutory Declaration for Non-Practising Registration Form

• Schedule E

The next Jurisprudence Examination will be scheduled for June 13, 2024 followed by the Orientation Session on June 17, 2024. Both will be held online.

To be eligible to attend the Jurisprudence Exam session, you must deliver to the Registrar, a completed application form, the $200.00 fee to write the Jurisprudence exam, the $475.00 Assessment of registration application fee, and supporting documents by May 30, 2024

Important Note: To ensure your Application and supporting documents are received, we strongly encourage you to send by Registered mail or courier. Receipt of your application and supporting documents will be acknowledged upon our return to the College office.

If all items received are deemed acceptable, you will be asked to confirm your attendance in writing for the Jurisprudence Examination and mandatory College Orientation Session, and the invoice for $200.00 exam fee will be sent to your online profile account. Upon receipt of your confirmation and payment, study materials and exam information will be sent to you.

Prepare for the Jurisprudence Exam by studying the following:

• Optometrists Regulation
• College Bylaws
• College Policies
• Part 2-Designated Health Professions of HPA

• Optometry Examining Board of Canada (OEBC)
• National Board of Examiners in Optometry (NBEO)

• Applicant FAQ