Registration in the United Kingdom of holders of optometry qualifications granted overseas outside the European Economic Area (EEA).
The General Optical Council has established a Scheme for the UK registration of holders of optometric qualifications granted outside the EEA.
Eligibility
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.
(d) that they have obtained a score of at least 7 in the international English Language Testing System (IELTS). 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'
Registration
Subject to meeting the above eligibility criteria, intending registrants are required to undertake the following:
(a) Attend and complete an approved course of instruction at a training institution approved by the GOC.
(b) 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.
Application Procedure
Application must be made through the General Optical Council, not the course organisers, using the application form, Non-EU/EEA. A non-returnable administration fee is payable at the time of submitting the application, no other fees are to be paid at this stage. The application will not be processed until the administration fee is received.
Application must be made through the General Optical Council, not the course organisers, using the application form, Non-EU/EEA. A non-returnable administration fee is payable at the time of submitting the application, no other fees are to be paid at this stage. The application will not be processed until the administration fee is received.
Once eligibility has been established the applicant will enter a waiting list. When course places become available, candidates will be notified. These places will only be allocated in strict order of the waiting list. The successful applicants' names and details will be forwarded to the course provider who will send further details of the course. Please speak to Paul Mills for further information 020 7766 4362 or e-mail: paul.mills@college-optometrists.org