College of Optometrists

 

The General Optical Council has established a Scheme for the UK registration of holders of optometric qualifications granted outside the EEA.

 

To be eligible in the United Kingdom under this Scheme, applicants must first provide evidence of the following :

(a) that they undertaken three years full-time optometric training, post baccalaureate or age 18, and achieved the qualification in the country of training.

(b) that they are legally able to practise optometry in the country in which the qualification was granted.

(c) that they have completed a minimum period of one year's unsupervised practice.  The evidence for this must be submitted in the form of a logbook.  The purpose of the logbook is to demonstrate your competence and experience as a practising optometrist in order to enter for the Non EEA examination. You are required to submit a collection of your own patient records. These will reflect your high standards of practice and allow you to demonstrate your competence in a range of areas of practice.
(d) that they have obtained a score of at least 7 in the international English Language Testing System (IELTS).  It needs to be the Academic test.  Additionally, no individual section scores are to be less than 6, except for 'Speaking' where the minimum is 7.

(e) Provide a completed 'Certificate of Identity'

 

Subject to meeting the above eligibility criteria, intending registrants are required to pass the Examination for Non-EU/EEA Qualified Optometrists administered by the College of Optometrists

 

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