Becoming an Optician

Opticians in Ontario are health professionals trained to supply, prepare and dispense optical appliances, interpret prescriptions prepared by physicians and optometrists, and fit, adjust and adapt optical appliances.

In Ontario, opticians are regulated by the College of Opticians of Ontario. Only Registered Opticians are entitled to perform the Controlled Act of Dispensing.

Registered Opticians in Ontario can dispense both eyeglasses and contact lenses.

To become a registered optician in Ontario applicants must be registered as intern opticians and successfully complete the Optical Sciences 1 - Eyeglasses and Optical Sciences 2 Advanced Practice Contact Lens Examinations. 

There are a few exceptions to this, if you are Internationally Educated or a Graduate of an unaccredited opticianry school you may be eligible for the College’s Prior Learning Assessment and Recognition (PLAR) program.