The following applies to applications for reinstatement made more than three years from the date of suspension.

Under section 12 paragraph (5) of the Reinstatement Regulations, under the Opticianry Act, 1991: "An application for reinstatement made more than three years from the date of suspension shall be referred to the Registration Committee, which shall evaluate the applicant’s qualifications and determine whether the applicant must meet any examination and Quality Assurance Program requirements in order to be reinstated."

As per the Registration Reinstatement Policy applicants will be required to provide the following information to assist the Registration Committee with the evaluation of their application for reinstatement:

1. Years of applicant’s absence
2. Practical Knowledge (i.e. dispensing experience out of Ontario, teaching of dispensing, dispensing under supervision of an Ophthalmologist / Optometrist, clinical work / medical mission work, work as a technical advisor, etc.)
3. Proof of participation in continuing education activities (continuing education credits obtained in Ontario or other Canadian provinces / other jurisdictions, attendance at accredited or non-accredited opticianry related seminars, presentations, workshops, etc.)
4. Additional Information (special circumstances)

If the applicant provides satisfactory evidence of meeting criteria numbers 2 and 3, the Registration Committee has the option of reinstating the certificate of registration as a registered Optician and directing the newly reinstated Optician to complete a "1st Year Enhanced Quality Assurance Process". This involves the Optician obtaining a total of ten (10) continuing education credits within the first year after reinstatement. Once the enhanced Quality Assurance process is complete, the reinstated Optician will continue to follow their original three-year Quality Assurance cycle, based on the date they were first registered with the College of Opticians.

This reinstatement requirement ensures that newly reinstated Opticians are fully engaged in the profession, including participation in the continuing education activities, as soon as their certificate of registration has been reinstated.

An applicant who has not met criteria numbers 2 and 3 may be required to sit an assessment test. This is not an exam, but a tool for the Registration Committee to determine whether the applicant’s body of knowledge and practical skills in Opticianry are still at a high enough level to ensure knowledgeable and safe dispensing. In addition, the applicant may be required to provide all outstanding continuing education credits from the Quality Assurance cycle(s) the applicant has missed, before their application for the reinstatement of their certificate of registration as an Optician is approved.

Once the above information has been received the applicant will then be advised of any further reinstatement requirements from the Registration Committee.

Final Approval

Only upon the final approval of the application for reinstatement by the Registrar/ Registration Committee will the applicant have the legal right to dispense prescription eye glasses, contact lenses and sub-normal vision devices.