About Us

The College of Opticians of Ontario exists to protect the public as mandated by the Regulated Health Professions Act, 1991.

Opticianry in Ontario is a self-governing profession. This regulatory model enables government to have some control over the services provided by a profession without having to maintain the specific expertise required to regulate a profession directly. 

The College of Opticians of Ontario is the registering and regulating body for opticianry in Ontario. The College regulates the practice of opticianry and the use of the title Optician and its variants and abbreviations. Only current members of the College can use the title Registered Optician (RO). Registrants of the College sometimes use the variants Licensed Optician (LO) or Dispensing Optician.

Opticians provide optical dispensing services, including the provision, fitting and adjustment of subnormal vision devices, contact lenses and eyeglasses, in accordance with the College’s Standards of Practice. 

The College was formed in 1991 by regulatory statute, when the Board of Ophthalmic Dispensers became formalized as the College of Opticians of Ontario following the Opticianry Act 1991.

The role of the College of Opticians of Ontario is set out in the Regulated Health Professions Act, 1991. The Act states:

"It is the duty of the Minister to ensure that the health professions are regulated and co-ordinated in the public interest, that appropriate standards of practise are developed and maintained and that individuals have access to services provided by the health professions of their choice and that they are treated with sensitivity and respect in their dealings with health professionals, the Colleges and the Board." - Regulated Health Professions Act, 1991, S.O. 1991, c. 18, s. 3

The duties of the College include:

• Issuing certificates of registration to students, interns and opticians
• Receiving and resolving complaints
• Promote continuing competence through the quality assurance program
• Establish and monitor professional standards of practise
• Provide practice advice

Mission, Vision, Values

Mission:

We protect the public by regulating Ontario opticians to ensure they maintain a high Standard of Practise and professionalism.

Vision:

To ensure the highest standard of vision care for all Ontarians.

Values: Creating a safe culture and relationships built on trust.

Transparency: Access to information that is not confidential. 

Accountability: Accepting responsibility for decisions and actions. 

Integrity: Acting with conscience, putting aside self-interests and making clear decisions that are aligned with our mandate. 

Equity: Promoting equitable access and opportunity in all decisions, free of bias and discrimination, in all policies and services.


Respect: Demonstrating thought and compassion in all interactions with patients, registrants, colleagues and stakeholders.


Diversity: Celebrating the diversity of ideas and people.