As of Right Exemption

Under the As of Right exemption, opticians who hold a license to dispense eyeglasses and contact lens in another Canadian province may start working in Ontario while they are completing their registration with the College of Opticians of Ontario (COO). This exemption allows eligible opticians to practise under this exemption for up to 6 months. Please note that applicants may only use the As of Right exemption once; it is not eligible for extension or renewal.

Who Qualifies to Practice under the As of Right exemption?

Opticians registered in another Canadian province are eligible to practice under the As of Right exemption as long as they meet the following requirements:

• They are licensed to dispense both eyeglasses and contact lens in their home province. Opticians who are only licensed to dispense eyeglasses in their home province are not eligible for the As of Right exemption, and should consult the College's Labour Mobility Policy for more information on registering in Ontario.
• They have submitted a Registered Optician application to the COO.
• They have submitted a completed attestation to the COO.
• This is the first time they are applying to practice in opticianry in Ontario under the As of Right legislation.
• They have not been denied registration by a Canadian regulatory body within two years of applying for registration in Ontario.
• They are not the subject of any current professional misconduct, incompetence, or incapacity proceeding related to the profession of opticianry.
• They hold professional liability insurance that extends coverage to Ontario and meets the requirements as outlined in article 25 of the by-laws.
• They provide professional services to residents of Ontario only while they are physically present in Ontario.

How to Apply

1. Submit a Registered Optician application.
2. Submit a completed As of Right attestation to registration@collegeofopticians.ca 

Frequently Asked Questions

What is needed for an optician to be able to practise under the As of Right exemption?

An out-of-province optician may practise under the As of Right exemption if they meet the following conditions:

• They are licensed in their home province to dispense both eyeglasses and contact lenses.
• They have submitted a Registered Optician application to the COO.
• They have submitted an attestation to the COO confirming that they meet the following requirements:
  • They have not been denied registration by a Canadian regulatory body in the previous two years.
  • No finding of professional misconduct, incompetence or incapacity has been made against them as a result of a proceeding related to the profession of opticianry.
  • They are not subject to any current professional misconduct, incompetence or incapacity proceedings related to the profession of opticianry.
  • They hold professional liability insurance that extends to Ontario and that meets the requirements of article 25 of the COO's by-laws.
• They only provide services to Ontario residents while they are physically present in Ontario.
• They have not previously practised in Ontario under the As of Right exemption.

Please note that during the exemption period, the COO is unable to verify the optician's eligibility to practise in Ontario.

How long are As of Right exempted opticians eligible to practise under the exemption?

In most cases, opticians who are registered and in good standing to dispense eyeglasses and contact lenses in another Canadian province can become registered in Ontario within a few days. The As of Right exemption allows eligible opticians to practise while their registration application is being processed, for up to six months. Once they become registered, they become accountable for all of the regulations and standards that govern the opticianry profession in Ontario.

The exemption period ends if any of the following circumstances occur:

• The optician's application for registration is rejected by the College.
• No certificate of registration has been issued by the College after 6 months.
• The optician no longer meets one or more of the requirements to practise under the exemption.

Can I find the optician on the College of Opticians of Ontario's public register?

No, opticians practising under the exemption cannot be found on the College's public register until the College has approved their Registered Optician application. 

Employers or others who have questions about an optician practising under the As of Right exemption, please contact registration@collegeofopticians.ca. 

Who investigates or addresses complaints during the exemption period?

During the exemption period, complaints or concerns about an optician should be directed to the optician's employer and/or the regulatory authority in the optician's home jurisdiction.

Individuals are also encouraged to contact the College to report their concerns. However, please note that the College has no authority to investigate complaints or concerns about opticians practising under the exemption.