The College of Optometrists

03 May 2006

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At the meeting of the European Council of Optometry and Optics (ECOO) in Milan this week, the General Optical Council (GOC) will announce that the European Diploma in Optometry has been granted conditional approval as a partial route to UK registration.

Candidates who have passed the ECOO Diploma examinations will be eligible for registration with the GOC, provided that the Council is satisfied they have demonstrated a satisfactory scope of clinical practice, and they are proficient in the English language.

GOC deputy registrar and director of education Dian Taylor said: "The Council has carried out an audit of the Diploma examinations. We congratulate ECOO on taking these important steps towards creating a Europe-wide optometry qualification, and we look forward to working with them to continue to develop the assessment."

ECOO president Bob Chappell said: "The European Diploma is designed to promote mobility and a high common standard of practice throughout Europe.  Diploma candidates will normally either have a recognised qualification enabling them to practise as an optometrist or optician in an EU country, or be in their final year of training for entry to the profession.

"ECOO is pleased to cooperate with the GOC on this project and looks forward to full recognition of the Diploma in due course. This partial recognition of the Diploma by the GOC is a historic step towards a harmonised profession in Europe. We hope that other regulatory bodies will follow the GOC's example."