Frequently Asked Questions: About Registration Renewal
What is a COBI form? Do I need one? How do I get one?
A COBI, or ‘Certificate of Being Insured (Under a Professional Liability Insurance Policy)’, is written
confirmation from the Registrant attesting that he/she is insured under a
professional liability insurance policy for the registration year in which they are renewing/
reinstating. Registrants are no longer required to submit a copy of their
professional liability insurance policy at the time of renewal / reinstatement. The COBI
must be completed, signed and submitted by all Registrants at the time of renewal/ reinstatement or when there is a change in insurance carriers. If not, the Member’s certificate of registration as a Registered
Optician may be suspended.
You may download a copy of the COBI in the resource room.
What is the minimum amount of liability insurance I need? What does the College consider evidence of insurance?
Registered Opticians of the College of Opticians are required to carry a minimum of
$1,000,000 per occurrence in Professional Liability Insurance at all times.
Opticians may also use Malpractice Insurance coverage in the amount stated above.
The College requires a signed copy of the ‘Certificate of Being Insured (Under a Professional Liability Insurance Policy)’ (COBI) to be submitted at the time of reinstatement or each year with an Optician's annual renewal.
What happens when my liability insurance expires?
You are required to carry $1,000,000 in liability insurance at all times while you hold a Certificate of
Registration as an Optician with the College. The College will consider that by not submitting a signed copy of COBI an opticians is no longer covered by liability insurance.
If you are dispensing and have not submitted a COBI Form your certificate of registration will be suspended and you may
be referred to the dicipline committee for further action.
What should I do if I change insurance companies and/or Employers?
The College must be informed of any change in your insurance coverage. You can do this by submitting a new COBI Form.
Does the College of Opticians provide insurance?
No, however any insurance company may be used provided you maintain minimum professional
liability coverage of $1,000,000 per occurrence at all times and that the
coverage is valid in Ontario. The College of Opticians cannot recommend
any insurance provider.
When is my registration renewal due?
If you are an Optician, your registration renewal must be postmarked by
December 31st of each year. If you are Student or Intern Optician, your
registration renewal must be postmarked by September 1st of each year.
If your registration renewal is not complete (all required information on the
form and the required fee), it will be returned to you and you will be charged
an administrative fee of $26.50.
Please visit our Optician Renewal webpage for further details.
I have lost my Renewal Form. How do I get another one?
Please send a written request to Denise Bailey,
co-ordinator of Registration, for another copy of your Renewal Form at extension 201.
Can I fax my Renewal Form into the College?
No, please do not fax your Renewal Form. Faxes can sometimes be of poor quality due to improper scanning and our staff
are unable to read important information on the Renewal. If you are concerned about your Renewal being late,
please remember that as long as it is POSTMARKED by the due date, you will not be charged a late fee.
Can I fax my Certificate of Being Insured to the College?
No, the College requires a signed original document for our records. You can send it to us by mail or bring it down to our
office in person.
Can I give you my credit card number over the telephone?
No. The College requires the cardholder's signature in order to accept a credit card payment. You must fill out a
credit card authorization form and either fax or mail it back to the College in order
for us to process your payment. Please note that you may not authorize (sign for) a credit card payment
unless it is your card. If you are using someone else's card, we require the person's signature and written
authorization to charge their card.
Why have I been suspended? How do change my status?
The College will suspend all members who have not paid all fees owing or submitted adequate evidence of liability insurance within 60 days after the mandatory
Notice of Default is mailed. If you do not submit the
complete renewal of registration (form and required fees) by early January, you
will receive a Notice of Default that the College intends to suspend your
registration in 60 days. The notice will also inform you of the date on which
your registration will be suspended if you do not renew your registration. If
you do not renew your registration by the date stated in the letter, you will
receive written notification that your registration has been suspended.
Once suspended, you must apply for reinstatement. Please contact the Registration
Department for information about how to get your license reinstated and the total fees involved.
I never received a Renewal Form in the mail. Do I have to pay a late fee?
Yes. It is the responsibility of each member to ensure that they receive a
Renewal Form each year. The due dates do not change (students: September 1st;
opticians: December 31st). If you have not received your form,
it may be because you have not informed the College in writing of changes in
your mailing address. Please contact the College BEFORE the due date so that
we can mail you another. A late fee will be applied to all Renewal
requests after the due date.
What is an undertaking form and do I need one?
An Undertaking Form is to be filled out by Opticians only who will NOT be engaging in the practice of opticianry, including the dispensing of Eye Glasses, Contact Lenses, and Subnormal Vision Devices and the supervision or direction of a registered student optician or a registered intern optician, in Ontario, during the current registration year.
Should that Optician wish to resume practicing opticianry (including dispensing and supervision of registered student/intern opticians) they must inform the College of their decision, send in a change of business address and submit valid proof of professional liability insurance. Any Undertaking Form will cease to be valid once proof of professional liability insurance is received. |
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