Our Role
The College of Opticians of British Columbia is the regulatory body for opticians in BC. The College regulates opticianry* by ensuring Licensed Opticians are qualified to practice and that they are consistently providing safe and ethical care to their patients. The College is not a school. 

The College was established in 1994 under the Health Professions Act and has a duty to serve and protect the public interest by overseeing the conduct and competence of Licensed Opticians. The College also sets and enforces practice standards and responds to complaints when standards are not being met. 

Who can help me?
The following are services provided by the College, and the different services provided by the Opticians Association of Canada: 

College of Opticians of BC (COBC): Opticians Association of Canada (OAC):
  • Registration and annual renewal
  • Receive and resolve complaints
  • Quality assurance program (continuing competency) 
  • Establishes, monitors, and enforces professional standards and ethics 
  • Practice advice
  • Inspections
  • Advocacy body that represents opticianry to government, employers, and other agencies
  • Continuing education and conferences
  • Job board
  • Professional liability insurance
  • Canadian safety eyewear program
  • Optician training program
  • Industry news


* A health profession in which a person provides the services of dispensing vision appliances, conducting automated refractions and promoting eye health and proper use of vision appliances.
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