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Share feedback on proposed 2024-2028 registration fees

The College’s Board of Directors will meet in June to decide the registration fees for the 2024-2028 renewal years. A new fee table has been proposed, and the Board is seeking  feedback before making a final decision.

What is the Board proposing?

The Board is considering approving a registration fee increase of 2.5% each year from 2024 to 2028.

Why 2.5% ?

In coming up with this proposal, the Board reviewed detailed financial models of the College's projected revenue and expenses for the next five years. The Board also explored models from 0% to 3% and concluded that a 2.5% increase was the minimum necessary to:

• Keep the College in a positive financial position for the next 5 years.
• Avoid running a deficit budget.
• Make sure the College will be able to respond to future challenges like it did when the COVID-19 pandemic prevented or limited many opticians from working.
• Make sure the college can maintain a customer service standard that is efficient and responsive.
• Make sure the College can implement the strategic initiative identified by the Board, such as taking steps to address unauthorized/ illegal dispensing.

How does this compare to the fees paid by other regulated health professionals?

Regulated health professionals in Ontario pay fees that range from $350 to $3000 per year. Optician fees are considered to be in middle range among other Ontario regulated health professions (see Summary of Fees at Ontario Health Regulatory Colleges).

The College works hard to keep expenses down. For example, by operating on a relatively lean staff to registrant ratio, with approximately one staff member for every 233 registrants. By comparison, some colleges have one staff person for as few as every 80 registrants.

How to provide your comments

We encourage you to visit the links below to read more about what the board is considering and why.

• Explanatory Document
• Proposed Fees Table
• Information reviewed by the COO Board
• Summary of Fees at Ontario Health Regulatory Colleges

If you haven't already, please consider giving us your feedback.