Using the Refresher Program to Meet Recent Practice Experience

If you are an optician in the Inactive class and would like to return to active practice, you will need to have recent practice experience as per the Reinstatement and Changing from Inactive to Active Practice policy. If you do not have recent practice experience, completing the Refresher Program will assist in helping you return to active practice.

How long you have been in the Inactive class will determine which level of the Refresher Program you need to complete.

• If you have been out of practice for under 3 years, you will complete Level 1.
• If you have been out of practice for 3 – 6 years, you will complete Level 2.
• If you have been out of practice for 6 to under 10 years, you will complete Level 3.
• If you have been out of practice for 10 years or more, you will be required to undergo a Competency Gap Analysis (CGA) prior to returning to practice.  

Components of the Refresher Program include:

• Review of Standards and Practice Guidelines: To ensure familiarity with current professional expectations, and to account for any changes since the registrant last practiced.
• Jurisprudence: A review of some day-to-day practice requirements. These modules, which include written materials and assessment, were developed by the College of Opticians of Ontario (COO) and are available on the COO website at no cost. 
• Core Competency Modules: A refresher on practice skills that form the core competencies of opticianry practice. These modules were developed by the National Alliance of Canadian Optician Regulators (NACOR) to align with the National Competencies for Canadian Opticians. The modules include written materials and assessment.

Please note that a score of 80% is required on the NACOR modules for it to be considered a passing mark. If a second or any subsequent attempt is required on a NACOR module, the full fee ($100 + HST) will be charged by NACOR. This fee is set by NACOR and is subject to change.

If you need to complete Refresher Level 1, 2, or 3, follow these steps:

1. Email registration@collegeofopticians.ca indicating that you would like to complete the Refresher Program and and how long you have been out of practice to help you move from Inactive to active practice. Where applicable, the Registration team will connect you with NACOR for instructions on how to complete the NACOR modules. Payment will be made directly to NACOR.
2. Complete the NACOR modules. Once you have successfully completed the modules, NACOR will send you a confirmation of completion. Please keep this completion for your records.
3. Review the Standards of Practice & Practice Guidelines on the COO website.
4. Review the Code of Ethics on the COO website.
5. Once you have reviewed these two documents, please complete this attestation and keep it for your records.
6. Review and complete Jurisprudence: Record Keeping. You can do this via your registrant portal. Please click here for instructions as to how to access the module. You will receive a certificate of completion. Please keep this for your records.
7. Once you have completed the level of Refresher Program that applies to you, please submit the Class Change Application Form, and upload your records of completion (attestation for the two documents, completion of Jurisprudence module, and completion of NACOR modules) in the application.

If you need to complete the Competency Gap Analysis, follow these steps:

1. Email registration@collegeofopticians.ca indicating that you would like to complete the Competency Gap Analysis (CGA) and how long you have been out of practice to help you move from Inactive to active practice. The Registration team will connect you with NACOR for instructions on how to complete the CGA. Payment will be made directly to NACOR.
2. If no bridging modules are needed, please keep a copy of the CGA decision for your records.
3. If bridging module(s) are required, please complete the specificed modules in your CGA decision. A score of 80% is required on the module(s) to pass. Once you have completed the required bridging module(s), you will receive a confirmation of completion. Please keep the CGA decision and confirmation of completion of bridging module(s) for your records.
4. Once you have completed the CGA, please submit the Class Change Application Form, and upload your records of completion (CGA decision and if applicable, completion of bridging modules) in the application.