THE SEVEN STEPS TO REGISTRATION
1. Applicant Applies for Registration with COBC
2. Preliminary Assessment of Application / Initial Intake
2.1 Detail of work experience (Dispensing Experience & Fittings Form)
2.2 Transcripts of formal education
2.3 Examination
2.4 Letter of personal reference and professional competence
2.5 Letters registration or licensure
2.6 ICES, IQAS or WES
2.7 Language proficiency
3. Assessment of Applicant (theoretical, practical and an in-person interview)
3.1 Competency Gap Analysis (CGA)
3.2 Interview and practical conducted by a panel determined by the Registration Committee
4. Registration Committee Assess Information
5. Additional Education
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 a License 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 recognized program or are not registered in good standing with another Canadian License 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 (PLAR), 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 a License 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 License 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.
Please click here for online registration.