Examination Overview

The College of Opticians deemed the National Registration Examination (combined eye glass and contact lens exams), administered by the National Association of Canadian Opticianry Regulators (NACOR), equivalent to the College of Opticians of Ontario Registration Examination, in November 2003. NACOR developed the National eyeglass and contact lens examinations as a vehicle to measure competencies of those individuals seeking entry to practice as an optician. The objective was to develop an examination that will be accepted across Canada.

The option to attempt the College of Opticians Registration Examination still exists for the students enrolled in the Opticianry program at either Seneca or Georgian College prior to the Fall 2004 academic year. Students enrolled for the first time since the Fall 2004 academic year will be permitted to attempt only the National Examinations upon graduation. Once all the students that are currently eligible have been through the examination process (including any required supplemental attempts), the College of Opticians registration examination will cease to be offered.

Information about the National examination contents and process can be obtained by calling the NACOR office at 1-800-847-3155 or by visiting NACOR.

A candidate is entitled to attempt the National examination a maximum of three (3) times within a three-year period. After the third attempt, the candidate must comply with an upgrading program, as approved by the Registration Committee of the College of Opticians of Ontario, before any further attempt of the examination will be permitted.

The College of Opticians determines the eligibility of exam candidates who wish to be registered in Ontario to attempt the National Exam. If an exam candidate from another province would like to attempt the National Exam in Ontario, they may do so, but would have to seek registration in another province.

In order to become eligible to attempt the National exam, recent graduates of Opticianry programs in Ontario (Georgian and Seneca College), must:

1. ensure that the College of Opticians has received written confirmation from the teaching institution that all of the requirements for graduation have been met.

2. be a current Registered Intern Optician and have completed 1,000 hours of dispensing.

In order to become eligible to attempt the National exam, recent graduates of Opticianry programs in Ontario (Georgian and Seneca College), must ensure that the College of Opticians has first received written confirmation from the teaching institution that all of the requirements for graduation have been met. Only after this information has been received by the College will eligibility to attempt the exam be confirmed. In order to attempt the National Exam, candidates must be current Registered Intern Opticians and have completed 1,000 hours of dispensing.

When the College receives verification that you have passed both examinations from NACOR, you will be sent a letter and an application form for a Certificate of Registration as an Optician. The letter will state the fees you must pay to register and will list the documents you must provide.