The College of Optometrists

25 July 2007

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The General Optical Council (GOC) today sent letters to student registrants who have failed to apply for retention of their registration for the year beginning 1 September. The student retention deadline was 15 July. A total of 3,434 students have renewed their registration, but 733 applications are still outstanding (18 per cent). The total includes 344 student optometrists and 389 student dispensing opticians.

Universities and colleges have been sent lists of students who have failed to renew. The College of Optometrists and ABDO are also being notified of pre-registration students with applications outstanding. Those who fail to renew by 31 August will not be eligible to continue with their studies or clinical training from 1 September.

The GOC’s letter includes a warning that any unregistered student who carries out restricted acts may face prosecution, and that the GOC may not recognise the qualifications of students who have not been registered throughout their course, when they apply for full registration.

Pre-registration students are being asked to renew their student registration, even if they intend to apply for full registration before 31 August. In these cases, the GOC will deduct the student retention fee from their full registration fee.

GOC registrar Peter Coe explained: "Students need to make sure there is no gap when they are training or working, where they are not registered with the GOC. Registration is a legal requirement, and it is essential to ensure proper protection for patients involved in students’ clinical training. Just as importantly, registering, and maintaining registration, with the GOC is part of the code of conduct, and core to professionalism. Students need to demonstrate a professional approach and attitude, in addition to technical skills and knowledge."

First years starting optometry or dispensing optics courses this year will need to register before starting their course. The GOC will be visiting all the universities and colleges providing GOC approved courses at the start of term to talk to students and collect remaining applications.