Independent prescribing

We answer some of our most frequently asked independent prescribing qualification questions, below.

To use the IP logbook you need to register to use the new assessment area of the College website (some of you will have done this already). After registration, you will be sent an activation link so please follow the instructions in the email. Please also ensure you register using the same email you have accessed the College website with previously or this will result in duplicate accounts which will mean you cannot see past records from your account.

The roles and responsibilities for IP clinical placement mentors can be accessed here.

Your mentor(s) will also need to register for the website to sign off your logbook sessions. They need to follow the same process as above, but will not need a GOC number. It is also important that they only use one email address for website access, and that this matches the one used when you selected them as a mentor.

No. You mentor does not need a GOC number to create and account, please just bypass this in the registration process.

This may be down to there being a duplicate record for your mentor(s). Please email exams@college-optometrists.org with your mentor(s) name and email address so we can find the correct record and provide access to the system.

Once you have met all 24 session requirements your log book should be available for your mentor to sign off. If you are having any problems with this, please email exams@college-optometrists.org.

The College is required to adhere to the GOC handbook for Optometry Specialist Registration in Therapeutic Prescribing (2008) in the administration of the TCFA Independent Prescribing (IP). The Final Assessment in founded in the College’s Clinical Management Guidelines, which are constantly updated with the constant growth of policy and eye healthcare best practice.  Time limits on completion of the three stages of qualification are in place in order to assure candidate competencies are current. 

Once trainees have completed their clinical placement requirements, they must attempt the TCFA IP within two years.  This is from the last session date entered in the logbook approved by the College. The College will acknowledge to the candidate the completion of their handbook either by a direct email or confirmation in their MyCollege area, after which candidates can book to take the TCFA IP.  

Thereafter, the IP candidate will have a further two years and a maximum of four attempts to pass the TCFA IP. IP candidates who have not passed the TCFA IP before the expiry of two years or within four attempts will be required to restart the qualification. 

In such instances, candidates will be required to repeat the GOC prescribed pre-requisites including theory (at a GOC-approved provider university) and clinical placement elements, in order to ensure that both their theoretical knowledge and their skills are refreshed and current.    

Any extensions are administered and awarded on a case-by-case basis and IP trainees should contact the Education Team in advance if an extension is required. Extensions may only be awarded where there is evidence of extenuating circumstance and that the candidate has maintained the currency of their knowledge and skills by undertaking a full diet of relevant specialist CPD. Please email exams@college-optometrists.org for further assistance. 

The Final Assessment will take place on 21 March, booking is now open via the 'Independent Prescribing' tile/button in your My College area. In order to book the exam you must ensure you logbook is complete and you have no outstanding invoices in your My College area (you can view these by logging in and clicking on the grey ‘Invoices’ tile/button). If you think you have been assigned an invoice incorrectly please email exams@college-optometrists.org.

We have been resetting any sessions that have not reached mentors. If your mentor has still not received your session please contact exams@college-optometrists.org.

We are sorry this has happened and are working with the web developer to re-instate the small number of people this has happened to.

Early issues with adding mentors to the system have now been fixed and you should now be able to submit sessions to your mentor and add in any additional mentors. If you are experiencing any new issues with this functionality, please email exams@college-optometrists.org.