Pre-registrant optometrists must be supervised according to GOC requirements and standards when undertaking clinical activities. The GOC’s Education and Training Requirements introduce some changes to expectations in this area, including the removal of the two-year post registration experience requirements. The College is working to ensure that all who supervise are clear on their role, and supported to meet GOC requirements and develop their students and trainees safely and effectively.
In short all College supervisors must
be current registrants with the relevant regulator (GOC, GMC, HCPC, NMC)
be full or associate members of the College (depending on profession)
Note: During the transition period, supervisors who qualified or would qualify under the prior regulations remain in approval. After 1 July 2026, all supervisors will need to meet the revised requirements.
There are two levels of role (see below) as a College supervisor. Each is named differently according to the qualification route, but has the same expectations and requirements.
Principal/Joint Supervisor (Scheme) or Practice Lead (CLiP)
Only optometrists can be Principal Supervisors and Practice Leads. In this role, you take responsibility for the overall educational development of the pre-registration optometrist and support them ensuring that their clinical activity on the route to registration is safe and effective. In order to undertake this role you will need to demonstrate experience of supervising the full range of competencies (Scheme) or outcomes (CLiP), or have an identified mentor who is already approved at this level (see below for details).
In addition to activities undertaken by other members of the supervisory team you will;
liaise with the practice owner to ensure that the required facilities, equipment and other resources are made available
meet regularly to review progress and support action planning
act to enable the learner to integrate effectively into the practice team
support the learner in arranging the required breadth of clinical experiences and preparing for (and learning from) assessment
ensure that other supervisory team members are aware of learner needs and current levels of experience
ensure that the learner understands the need for them to adhere to GOC standards, including those relating to supervision.
It is expected that newly qualified optometrists will first gain experience as task or additional supervisors before taking on a supervisory leadership role, only moving up once they have established a track record of successful supervision at this level. Alternatively, less experienced optometrists can identify an experienced mentor, who is qualified to lead the supervisory team, whole will support them in undertaking the more senior role. This will be managed by allocating the pair as joint supervisors on the Scheme (see below).
SchemePrincipal/Joint Supervisor or CLiP Practice Lead
Previous experience
Qualification route
Full College membership (optometrists)
Workplace training one & two (2 CPD)
CLiP training (1 CPD)
Experience or mentor*
Scheme Principal or Joint Supervisor
Scheme
✔
CLiP
✔
✔
Additional Supervisor, or new to supervision
Scheme
✔
✔
✔
CLiP
✔
✔
✔
✔
*2 years post-registration experience (Scheme only until 7/26) OR a Principal Supervisor/Practice Lead Mentor OR evidence of previous successful supervision
Additional Supervisor (Scheme) or Task (CLiP)
This role can be undertaken by any registrant from an ophthalmic profession, who has undertaken the required training and is a member (or associate member*) of the College, for tasks within their own Scope of Practice.
You will;
oversee and sign off clinical activities undertaken
provide feedback and guidance on clinical skills and behaviours to support learner development
be present in the practice and able to intervene
ensure you are aware of the learners levels of experience, in order to judge the amount of support and oversight any particular task requires
liaise with the Principal Supervisor/Practice Lead about learner needs and capabilities.
*New requirement under ETR, only in force on Scheme from 1 July 2026.
This online course is for those aspiring to become a Principal Supervisor for workplace learners - trainees for the Scheme for Registration and students for CLiP. One CPD point.
This course addresses the duties of supervising by guiding and influencing people. It includes the common challenges you may face as a supervisor. One CPD point.