Optometry

In order to practise optometry in British Columbia, you must complete a licensure application, submit all documents required as part of the application, pay the application assessment fee and the Jurisprudence fee, and successfully pass the Jurisprudence Examination. Successfully completing the Jurisprudence Examination is the final step in your application process.

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 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 the CHCPBC Fee Schedule, and submit all supporting documentation required by the Bylaws current at the time of the application.

Application documents 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.

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

Please note: The Licence Committee recently updated the examination requirement to obtain licensure to practise optometry in the province of BC. To learn more about this decision and transition provisions for applicants, read the news story: NBEO Exam no longer accepted for optometry licensure in BC.

Step 1

• Open the Applicant Portal and sign up by entering your e-mail address. Once you have logged in, select the appropriate licence class.  Please complete the online Form 7: Registration Application (PDF), pay the application assessment fee, and send the notarized form to the College at registration@chcpbc.org, along with the following:
  • Copies of two pieces of notarized government-issued photo ID (e.g., passport, driver’s licence, healthcare card)
  • 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 transcript (graduate), to be sent directly to the College at registration@chcpbc.org.
• Complete the OEBC Waiver Form (PDF).
• Provide a copy of the OEBC Exam Pass Letter confirming successful completion of both the written exam and the OSCE.
• Arrange for a completed Certificate of Standing (PDF) or a Letter of Good Standing to be sent directly to CHCPBC at registration@chcpbc.org 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 licence number being issued by CHCPBC.

Step 2

If all items noted above are received and deemed acceptable, you will be asked to confirm your attendance of the Jurisprudence Examination and pay the $200 Jurisprudence fee. Upon receipt of your confirmation and payment, exam instructions will be provided to you. This is an open-book exam.

Step 3

Upon successful completion of the Jurisprudence Exam, to become licensed with the College, you will be required to pay the applicable licence fee set out in the CHCPBC Fee Schedule. 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 credentialing@forac-faroc.ca.

Upon Successful Completion of Advanced Standing Optometry Preparatory Program

You will be required to successfully complete the application process summarized below and successfully pass the Jurisprudence Examination.

Step 1

• Open the Applicant Portal and sign up by entering your e-mail address. Once you have logged in, select the appropriate licence class.  Please complete the online Form 7: Registration Application (PDF), pay the application assessment fee, and send the notarized form to the College at registration@chcpbc.org, along with the following:
  • Copies of two pieces of notarized government-issued photo ID (e.g., passport, driver’s licence, healthcare card)
  • 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 transcript (graduate), to be sent directly to the College at registration@chcpbc.org.
• Arrange for a completed Certificate of Standing (PDF) or a Letter of Good Standing to be sent directly to CHCPBC at registration@chcpbc.org 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 licence number being issued by CHCPBC.
• Provide a statement listing all pending complaints, claims, actions, inquiries or proceedings against you in British Columbia or any other jurisdiction.
• Provide verification of fulfilment of continuing education requirements.
• Arrange for your academic transcript (graduate), to be sent directly to the College at registration@chcpbc.org.
• Arrange for a letter from ASOPP confirming your successful completion of the bridging program and exit exam.
• Complete the OEBC Waiver Form (PDF).
• Provide a copy of the OEBC Exam Pass Letter confirming successful completion of both the written exam and the OSCE.

Step 2

If all items noted above are received and deemed acceptable, you will be asked to confirm your attendance of the Jurisprudence Examination and pay the $200 Jurisprudence fee. Upon receipt of your confirmation and payment, exam instructions will be provided to you. This is an open-book exam.

Step 3

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

If you are currently licensed 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 and successfully pass the Jurisprudence Examination.

Please note: The Licence Committee recently updated the examination requirement to obtain licensure to practise optometry in the province of BC. To learn more about this decision and transition provisions for applicants, read the news story: NBEO Exam no longer accepted for optometry licensure in BC.

Step 1

• Open the Applicant Portal and sign up by entering your e-mail address. Once you have logged in, select the appropriate licence class.  Please complete the online Form 7: Registration Application (PDF), pay the application assessment fee, and send the notarized form to the College at registration@chcpbc.org, along with the following:
  • Copies of two pieces of notarized government-issued photo ID (e.g., passport, driver’s licence, healthcare card)
  • 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 transcript (graduate), to be sent directly to the College at registration@chcpbc.org.
• Arrange for a completed Certificate of Standing (PDF) or a Letter of Good Standing to be sent directly to CHCPBC at registration@chcpbc.org 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 licence number being issued by CHCPBC.
• Provide a statement listing all pending complaints, claims, actions, inquiries or proceedings against you in British Columbia or any other jurisdiction.
• Provide verification of fulfilment of continuing education requirements.
• Arrange for your academic transcript (graduate), to be sent directly to the College at registration@chcpbc.org.
• Complete the OEBC Waiver Form (PDF).
• Provide a copy of the OEBC Exam Pass Letter confirming successful completion of both the written exam and the OSCE.

Step 2

If all items noted above are received and deemed acceptable, you will be asked to confirm your attendance of the Jurisprudence Examination and pay the $200 Jurisprudence fee. Upon receipt of your confirmation and payment, exam instructions will be provided to you. This is an open-book exam.

Step 3

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

CHCPBC Fee schedule

The Jurisprudence Examination will be held online.

To be eligible to attend the Jurisprudence Exam, you must deliver to the College, a completed application form, the $200.00 fee to write the Jurisprudence exam, the $475.00 Assessment of registration application fee, and supporting documents. See Requirements for New Graduates, Requirements for Internationally Trained Students, and Requirements for Those Practising in Another Jurisdiction for information about the application process.

Receipt of your application and supporting documents will be acknowledged via email.

Once your application is deemed accepted, an email will be sent confirming the time your jurisprudence exam link will be live as well as an invoice for payment. You must reply in writing confirming receipt of the time and pay via your online profile account. Once this step is completed, the link and exam instructions will be sent to you. This is an open book exam.

Prepare for the Jurisprudence Exam by studying the following:

• Optometrists Regulation
• CHCPBC Bylaws
• Professional Practice Standards
• Health Professions and Occupations Act

Optometry Examining Board of Canada (OEBC)

Canada

The Criminal Records Review Act (the “CRRA”) imposes an obligation on the College to ensure that every licensee consents to a criminal record check in accordance with Part 4 of the CRRA. Section 15(1)(a) of the CRRA imposes a duty on the licensee to undergo a criminal record check at least once every five years.

To complete a criminal record check online, send your request to the College through the Contact Us form.

The College will either send you an email invitation or provide you a secure link with an access code that will direct you to the online criminal record check application.

For more details please visit the BC Government page: Criminal Records Review Program – Applicants.

United States

Contact the College to receive a secure link to Sterling BackCheck to initiate a criminal record check online.

International

Arrange for your international criminal record check to be sent directly to the College. If the criminal record check is sent directly to you, you must forward the document to the College in its original sealed envelope. Opened or unsealed envelopes will not be accepted.

Applicant FAQ (PDF)

• Identity Documents (PDF)
• Validity of Applications and Supporting Documents (PDF)