The profession is regulated by a statutory body, The General Optical Council. The GOC regulates dispensing opticians and optometrists. The GOC's main aims are to protect the public and promote high standards of professional conduct and education amongst opticians.
To qualify to register as an optometrist individuals need to undergo a broadly based and intensive training course accredited by the GOC. This consists of the following steps:
- Entrants to degree courses in Optometry will usually need a minimum of five GCSE passes grades A* - C or an acceptable equivalent which must include English Literature or English Language, Mathematics and a science based subject.
- You will also usually require three A-Levels, generally in science-based subjects such as biology, chemistry or physics or in Maths. Typical conditional offers are around ABB or five subjects for Scottish Highers and six subjects for Irish Highers, all at A or B levels. For further advice please contact the University & Colleges Admissions Service (UCAS). Mature students should contact the relevant University Admissions Tutor for further advice on eligibility for entry to the undergraduate course.
- You must complete a course of undergraduate study in optometry at one of the Universities approved by the GOC
- Pass part 1 of the Professional Qualifying Examination – if you gain an appropriate class of degree approved by the GOC, you will be exempt from this examination.
- Complete a Pre-Registration Period of training , including work based assessment and supervision by a registered optometrists.
- Pass a Final Assessment examination based on the GOC Stage 2 core competencies for optometry. This includes practical examinations and a clinical decision making section based on pre-written case scenarios.
For further information visit the GOC website