Acing in-practice pre-registration assessment: Preparing for the transition to CLiP
29 October 2026
Autumn 2026
2026 marks the tipping point in the transition from the Scheme for Registration to the new world of Clinical Learning in Practice (CLiP), with around 500 students and trainees joining practices through each route. Lizzy Ostler, College Director of Education, offers advice to learners and supervisors as they prepare for their early remote visits and first in-practice assessments.
Just over five years ago, the General Optical Council (GOC) published its Education and Training Requirements (ETR) (GOC, 2021), replacing the Handbook for Optometry. Under ETR, the Scheme for Registration (SFR) (COptom, 2026a) was replaced by patient-facing pre-registration experience integrated into new master’s degrees in optometry..
Many new courses enrolled their first students in 2023, and those students began their CLiP journey in summer 2026 (COptom, 2026b), alongside the final large cohort of BSc graduates completing their registration pathway through the SFR.
What has changed, what remains the same, and how can this next generation of optometrists successfully navigate assessment and demonstrate readiness for full registration?
Not already a member of the College?
Start enjoying the benefits of College membership today. Take a look at what the College can offer you and view our membership categories and rates.
Related further reading
The College of Optometrists has responded to the GOC consultation on the proposed updated statement on testing of sight and proposed supervision and delegation standards.
During a busy September, the College travelled around the UK to meet excited first-year optometry students as part of its 2026 student roadshows.
The College of Optometrists has been awarded a Silver TIDE award as part of Onvero’s Talent Inclusion and Diversity Evaluation benchmarking programme.