Optometrists are trained to test sight and examine eyes for signs of ocular disease or abnormality and to prescribe spectacles and contact lenses. They also fit spectacles or contact lenses and give advice on visual problems. Optometrists may also share with appropriate medical practitioners the care of patients who have chronic ophthalmic conditions.

 

The UK route to registration as an optometrist

The majority of new entrants to the optometry register have trained in the United Kingdom. To qualify as an optometrist via this route you must:

• Complete a course of undergraduate study in optometry at one of the universities approved by the General Optical Council;
• Pass part 1 of the professional qualifying examination – if you gain an appropriate class of degree approved by the GOC and attain competency in certain defined technical skills, you will be exempt from this examination.
• Complete a pre-registration period of training under supervision, which will include work based assessment.
• Pass a final assessment based on the GOC Stage 2 core competencies for optometry.

Once qualified, you may practise as an optometrist, but only when you have registered with the GOC. Once on the register you must renew your registration annually in order to maintain your license to practise.

The European Directives Route for registration
as an optometrist or dispensing optician

The First (89/48/EEC) and Second (92/51/EEC) European General Directives on the Mutual Recognition of Professional and Vocational Qualifications allow:

Under the Directives, the GOC is what is termed the UK "designated authority" for optics. The role of a designated authority is to consider applications under the Directives. The Council must decide whether there are any significant differences between the applicant's training and education in optics and that which is required of a UK qualified optician (either a dispensing optician or optometrist).

Once eligibility for registration as a dispensing optician or optometrist is achieved via this route, you may practise, but only when you have registered with the GOC. Once on the register you must renew your registration annually in order to maintain your license to practise.

Registration in the United Kingdom of holders of qualifications granted overseas outside the European Economic Area (EEA)

As of 30 June 2005 the regulations for the Non-EU/EEA scheme have changed. It is no longer compulsory to attend a course. You will still need to satisfy the same requirements as before to be eligible to register for the Examination.

Eligibility
To be eligible to register in the United Kingdom under this scheme applicants must first satisfy the following requirements:

(a) Have undertaken three years full-time optometric training, post baccalaureate or age 18, and achieved the qualification in the country of training.
(b) Be legally able to practise optometry in a country outside of the UK.
(c) Have completed a minimum period of one year’s unsupervised practice - post qualification outside of the UK.
(d) Obtained a score of at least 7 in the International English Language Testing System (IELTS). Additionally, no individual sections scores are to be less than 6, except for ‘Speaking’ where the minimum is 7. Test centre contact details can be found at the end of this document.

Registration
Subject to meeting the above eligibility criteria, intending registrants are required to pass the Examination for Non-EU/EEA Qualified Optometrists.

Once qualified via this route, a person may practise as an optometrist, but only when s/he has registered with the GOC. Once on the register, s/he must renew registration annually in order to maintain his/her license to practise.

Please note that since the 30 June 2005 any person attending an approved GOC course or sitting an approved examination, including the Non-EU/EEA examination run by the College of Optometrists, must be registered with the GOC as a student before sitting the exam.

Application procedure
Application must be made through the General Optical Council, not the College of Optometrists, using the application form, Non-EU/EEA. A non-returnable administration fee is payable at the time of submitting the application, no other fees are to be paid at this stage. The application will not be processed until the administration fee is received.