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Nationally Trained Candidates

The College of Opticians of Ontario partnership with opticianry regulators across Canada led to the development of the Mutual Recognition Agreement (MRA) which was established to allow Opticians who meet specific criteria to move more easily across the country. The MRA has now been signed by nine of the ten provincial authorities. They are: British Columbia, Alberta, Saskatchewan, Manitoba, Ontario, New Brunswick, Nova Scotia, Prince Edward Island and Newfoundland and Labrador.

An applicant for a certificate of registration as an 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 both eye glasses and contact lenses, will be accepted for registration provided that he/she meets the general registration requirements.

An applicant for a certificate of registration as an 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 eye glasses but not contact lenses, will be issued a certificate of registration as a Student Optician upon his/her enrolment in the NAIT contact lens program. Upon successful completion of this program, the applicant will be eligible for a certificate of registration as an Intern Optician, after which he/she may challenge the National Contact Lens Examination. If the applicant is successful, he/she will become eligible to apply for a certificate of registration as an Optician.

MRA Policy

To apply as an MRA candidate from another province, please provide the College of Opticians with the following:

If you are licensed to dispense both eyeglasses and contact lenses:
  1. Written request
  2. Letter of good standing from your home province confirming your status to be sent directly to the College of Opticians of Ontario)
  3. Copies of your eye glasses and your contact lens certificate

If you are licensed to dispense eyeglasses only:

  1. Written request
  2. Letter of good standing from your home province confirming your status(to be sent directly to the College of Opticians of Ontario)
  3. Copy of your eye glasses certificate
  4. Confirmation from NAIT that you are enrolled in the contact lens program

At this point, an application package for registration will be sent to you.

The Registration Committee has developed a flow-chart that outlines the above process.

  ©2006 College of Opticians of Ontario