Opticianry involves the fitting and supplying of eyeglasses and contact lenses. As with other health professions, candidates in Opticianry must pass specific certification and educational criteria to demonstrate that they are qualified for the profession.
To become a Licensed Optician in Canada, an individual must complete an accredited opticianry program at a recognized educational institution. Opticianry programs are offered full-time, part-time, or online and take between one to three years to complete, depending on the institution.
Once an individual has successfully completed an opticianry program, they are eligible to take the
NACOR National Optical Sciences Examination* which is the testing modality used for licensure in nine out of ten provinces in Canada. Upon passing the Optical Sciences Examination, students may apply for registration to their Provincial Regulatory Agency (often called a College of Opticians).
A license granted by the Provincial Regulatory Agency (College of Opticians) allows an optician to practice within the full scope of their provincial legislation.
Depending on which province the student resides in, they may then decide to continue on and become a licensed Contact Lens Fitter. An individual must successfully complete a Contact Lens program, sit the NACOR National Optical Sciences Examination* for Contact Lenses, and then apply to their Provincial Regulatory Agency (College of Opticians) for a license to dispense contact lenses.
In Ontario and Quebec, Licensed Opticians are considered ‘dual-licensed,’ meaning they must complete training in both eyeglasses and contact lenses.
In Ontario, after completing training in both eyeglasses and contact lenses, an individual must pass both the NACOR National Optical Sciences Eyeglasses and Contact Lenses Examinations to be eligible for licensure.