The COBC did not increase fees at all between 2012 and 2017, but in 2018 there was an increase to offset inflation and increased costs, which is ongoing and needs to be considered on a regular basis. In order to ensure that the COBC’s statutory programs are effective at meeting program mandates, and to improve tools related to effective regulation to serve the public interest, the Board has again requested a moderate increase. This will assist with the modernization of regulation in BC, which is something the COBC is actively working on to benefit the public and registrants.
The COBC is also working towards eliminating the difference between fees for Registered Opticians and Registered Contact Lens Fitters as we are planning to combine these requirements into one category in the near future. The accredited training programs in British Columbia automatically teach both eyeglasses and contact lenses to all students, and eventually the requirement for registration will be that all new applicants must successfully complete licensing exams for both disciplines to be a Registered Optician, resulting in a harmonized or single license. Those who are not currently licensed to fit contact lenses will not have to upgrade their education in order to register, but they will not be allowed to fit contact lenses unless they do.
The requirement for Opticians to have successfully passed both the Optical Sciences 1 – Eyeglasses and Optical Sciences 2 – Contact Lenses will only apply to new graduates. This is already a requirement for Opticians in Ontario, and other provinces are in the process of implementing the same requirements. The exact date that this will be applicable has not been determined, but further information will be provided once it has.
If you have any questions or concerns, please contact the Registrar, Lisa Bannerman, at lbannerman@cobc.ca or (604) 742-6472 ext. 6316.
| Initial Registration | |||
| Classification | Application Fee | Registration Fee | Total |
| Registered Optician | 195.00 | 490.00 | 685.00 |
| Registered Optician and Contact Lens Fitter | 195.00 | 515.00 | 710.00 |
| Registered Optician and Automated Refraction Certification | 195.00 | 515.00 | 710.00 |
| Registered Optician and Contact Lens Fitter and Automated Refraction Certification | 195.00 | 565.00 | 760.00 |
| Non-Practicing Registrant | 195.00 | 275.00 | 470.00 |
| Student Contact Lens Fitter | N/A | 175.00 | 175.00 |
| Registered Optician and Student Contact Lens Fitter | 195.00 | 515.00 | 710.00 |
| Renewal Fees | |||
| Classification | Application Fee | Registration Fee | Total |
| Registered Optician | N/A | 490.00 | 490.00 |
| Registered Optician and Contact Lens Fitter | N/A | 515.00 | 515.00 |
| Registered Optician and Contact Lens Fitter and Refracting | N/A | 565.00 | 565.00 |
| Non-Practicing Registrant | N/A | 275.00 | 275.00 |
| Student Contact Lens Fitter | N/A | 175.00 | 175.00 |
| Change of Status Fees | |||
| Classification | Application Fee | Registration Fee | Total |
| N/A | 240.00 | 240.00 | |
| add on Student Contact Lens Fitter | N/A | 50.00 | 50.00 |
| add on Contact Lens Fitter | N/A | 50.00 | 50.00 |
| add on Automated Refraction Certification | N/A | 50.00 | 50.00 |
| Late Penalties | |||
| Classification | Application Fee | Registration Fee | Total |
| Registered Optician | N/A | N/A | 171.50 |
| Registered Optician and Contact Lens Fitter | N/A | N/A | 180.25 |
| Registered Optician and Student Contact Lens Fitter | N/A | N/A | 189.00 |
| Registered Optician and Contact Lens Fitter and Automated Refraction Certification | N/A | N/A | 196.00 |
| Non-Practicing Registrant | N/A | N/A | 96.25 |
| Student Contact Lens Fitter | N/A | N/A | 61.25 |
| Reinstatement Fee | |||
| Classification | Application Fee | Registration Fee | Total |
| Annually, to a maximum of 3 years | N/A | 290.00 | 290.00 |
| Competency Gap Analysis Fee (for applications more than 3 years from the date of suspension) | N/A | N/A | 300.00 |
| Prior Learning Assessment and Recognition (PLAR) | |||
| Type | Application Fee | Registration Fee | Total |
| Document Assessment Fee | N/A | N/A | 225.00 |
| Competency Gap Analysis and Case-Based Interview Fee (for each area of practice) | N/A | N/A | 650.00 |