The regulator for the optical professions in the UK
About Us Registration Education News Fitness To Practise Legislation CET View The Register home

Dispensing Opticians

Optometrists

Introduction

Institutions

Approval

Other Useful Contacts

As a member of a health care profession, a dispensing optician advises on, fits and supplies the most appropriate spectacles after taking into account each patient's lifestyle and vocational needs. Dispensing opticians are also able to fit contact lenses after undergoing further specialist training. Career opportunities exist to develop business skills in marketing and practice management for which degree courses are available.


Currently there are three routes available for registration as a UK dispensing optician:
© 2004 General Optical Council

 

 

The UK route to registration as a dispensing optician.


The majority of new entrants to the ophthalmic dispensing register have trained in the United Kingdom.

UK courses of study achieve the core curriculum and core competencies recommended by the GOC. In order to qualify for registration a person must:

  • Successfully complete a three-year course of study at a GOC approved training institution.
    There are three modes of study to choose from:
    [i] a two-year full-time course at a training institution approved by the GOC followed by one year working in practice under supervision (salaried); or
    [ii] a three-year day release with a training institution approved by the GOC, combined with suitable employment;
    or
    [iii] a three year correspondence course offered by a training institution approved by the GOC combined with suitable employment.
  • A pass in the Professional Qualifying Examinations (both Part 1 and Finals). The Association of British Dispensing Opticians administers these examinations.

Once qualified, a person may practise as a dispensing optician, only when he/she has registered with the GOC. Once on the register he/she must renew his/her registration annually in order to continue 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:

  • nationals of an European Union (EU) or European Economic Area (EEA) country (e.g., Spain);
  • who hold professional qualifications granted in their own country;
  • to apply to another EU/EEA Member State (e.g, UK) to have their qualifications recognised for practice in that Member State.
  • The applicant's post qualification practical experience must also be taken into account.


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 the 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.

 

Dispensing Opticians qualified outside the European Economic Area

A person who is qualified as a dispensing optician outside the European Economic Area and who wishes to register to practise in the UK, should contact the Association of British Dispensing Opticians for information on how he/she may enter the Professional Qualifying Examination.

Success in the Examination will enable registration to practise in the UK.

Once qualified, a person may practise as a dispensing optician, but only when he/she has registered with the GOC. Once on the register, he/she must renew his/her registration annually in order to maintain his/her license to practise.