The new qualification process - ETR
New qualification requirements for optometrists and dispensing opticians will start to be introduced this year. The College is working with partners in the sector to help deliver work-based learning under the new Education and Training Requirements (ETR).
The current Scheme for Registration will continue but will be phased out over time. Going forward, the College will work in partnership with a number of UK Universities to deliver work-based placement experiences as part of their master’s degrees. Our programme for delivering placements on the new degree programmes will be called Clinical Learning in Practice (CLiP).
ETR timeline
| October 2022 | First ETR degrees available for UCAS applicants |
| October 2023 | Students start the first Optometry degrees designed to meet ETR requirements Some degrees starting at this time will still be based on the existing Handbook, leading to the Scheme for Registration |
| April 2024 | Students on the new Optometry degree programmes are able to take the ‘Preparing for CLiP’ course and assessment from this date |
| November 2024 | Students can view available applications for work-based learning placements and start preparing applications |
| February 2025 | Students submit applications and employers can start to interview and make offers |
| February 2026 | First College facilitated placements commence, and first CLiP assessments start |