College of Opticians of Ontario

College of Opticians of Ontario The COO is one of 26 self-governing health Colleges established by law

The College provides the Professional Practice Support Program.  Our practice support team guides registrants, patients ...
11/21/2025

The College provides the Professional Practice Support Program.

Our practice support team guides registrants, patients and the public to the information they need on the practice of opticianry in Ontario.

Registrants can contact a Practice Advisor for individualized guidance on standards, regulations, privacy, scope of practice, and other professional or workplace matters.

If you have a practice question or would like professional guidance, contact the Practice Advisor at practiceadvice@collegeofopticians.ca or 416-368-3616 ext. 205.

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L’Ordre offre le Programme de soutien à la pratique professionnelle, qui est là pour vous aider.
Notre équipe de soutien à la pratique guide les membres, les patients et le public vers les renseignements dont ils ont besoin sur la pratique de la profession d’opticien en Ontario.

Les membres peuvent communiquer avec un conseiller ou une conseillère en pratique pour obtenir des conseils personnalisés sur les normes, les règlements, la confidentialité, la portée de la pratique et d’autres questions professionnelles ou liées au milieu de travail.

Si vous avez une question sur la pratique ou si vous souhaitez obtenir des conseils professionnels, communiquez avec le conseiller en pratique au practiceadvice@collegeofopticians.ca or 416-368-3616 ext. 205.

The College’s Jurisprudence Tool is a resource to support you in your opticianry practice. It provides you with the know...
11/20/2025

The College’s Jurisprudence Tool is a resource to support you in your opticianry practice. It provides you with the knowledge you need on the laws, standards, and guidelines that affect opticianry in Ontario.

It covers key topics such as professional boundaries and sexual abuse prevention, record keeping and confidentiality, effective communication, the Regulated Health Professions Act (RHPA), and diversity, equity and inclusion in patient care.

Each completed chapter counts toward your Professional Growth hours and can be uploaded to your portfolio through the Registrant Portal.

Learn more and access the tool: https://buff.ly/6sUUJOf

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L’outil de jurisprudence de l’Ordre est une ressource qui vise à vous soutenir dans votre pratique de la profession d’opticien. Il vous fournit les connaissances dont vous avez besoin sur les lois, les normes et les lignes directrices qui touchent la profession d’opticien en Ontario.

Il couvre des sujets clés comme les limites professionnelles et la prévention des abus sexuels, la tenue de dossiers et la confidentialité, la communication efficace, la Loi de 1991 sur les professions de la santé réglementées, ainsi que la diversité, l’équité et l’inclusion dans les soins aux patients.

Chaque chapitre terminé compte dans vos heures de développement professionnel, et peut être téléchargé dans votre portefeuille par l’intermédiaire du portail des membres.

Pour en savoir plus et accéder à l’outil : https://buff.ly/kgABktN

Reminder: The last day to submit nominations for the District 5 (Toronto) by-election is November 19, 2025, at 4:00 p.m....
11/17/2025

Reminder: The last day to submit nominations for the District 5 (Toronto) by-election is November 19, 2025, at 4:00 p.m.

If you are a Registered Optician who lives or works in District 5, there is still time to apply.

Review the eligibility requirements and submit your completed nomination package before the deadline: https://buff.ly/GUHJrZz

Have questions? Reach out to us at elections@collegeofopticians.ca

11/13/2025

Recent changes to the College’s General Regulation introduced a spousal exception for Registered Opticians.

While treatment of a spouse is no longer automatically considered sexual abuse, professional boundaries still apply. Opticians must continue to meet the Standards of Practice, Practice Guidelines, and Code of Ethics in every patient interaction.

The College continues to recommend against opticians treating their spouses to help maintain clear professional boundaries.

Learn more about the spousal exception amendment: https://buff.ly/AQpaYKs

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Des modifications récentes apportées au règlement général de l’Ordre ont introduit une exception pour les conjoints à l’intention des opticiens agréés.

Bien que le traitement d’un conjoint ne soit plus automatiquement considéré comme un abus sexuel, les limites professionnelles s’appliquent toujours. Les opticiens doivent continuer de respecter les normes de pratique, les lignes directrices sur la pratique et le code de déontologie dans chaque interaction avec les patients.

Apprenez-en davantage sur la modification concernant l’exception pour les conjoints : https://buff.ly/Iqdu6cd

The College will be closed tomorrow, Tuesday, November 11 in observance of Remembrance Day. Regular office hours will re...
11/10/2025

The College will be closed tomorrow, Tuesday, November 11 in observance of Remembrance Day. Regular office hours will resume on Wednesday, November 12.

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L’Ordre sera fermé demain, le mardi 11 novembre, à l’occasion du jour du Souvenir. Les heures de bureau habituelles reprendront le mercredi 12 novembre.

Registered Opticians: Nominations are open for a by-election in District 5 (Toronto) to fill a vacancy on the College’s ...
11/07/2025

Registered Opticians: Nominations are open for a by-election in District 5 (Toronto) to fill a vacancy on the College’s Board of Directors. The successful candidate will serve for the remainder of the current term, ending December 31, 2026.

Interested in this opportunity to contribute to public protection? Submit your nomination by November 19, 2025, at 4:00 p.m.

Review the nomination package and eligibility requirements: https://buff.ly/GUHJrZz

For questions, contact elections@collegeofopticians.ca.

Staying current helps opticians provide safe, competent, and ethical care to the public.   Registered Opticians are requ...
11/06/2025

Staying current helps opticians provide safe, competent, and ethical care to the public.

Registered Opticians are required to keep their knowledge, skills, and practice experience up to date by completing 500 practice hours over a rolling three-year period.

This requirement supports ongoing professional development and helps maintain high standards of care.

Learn more about this requirement and staying current in your practice: https://buff.ly/ZgUTh4u

Are you attending the upcoming Ontario Opticians Association’s Focus On Optics Conference and Tradeshow?   Visit the Col...
11/05/2025

Are you attending the upcoming Ontario Opticians Association’s Focus On Optics Conference and Tradeshow?

Visit the College’s booth to connect with our team, ask questions, and learn more about how we support safe, high-quality opticianry care in Ontario.

Find full event details on the OOA’s website: https://buff.ly/Kh4RL0c

Before starting your annual renewal, make sure your documents are ready. Save this post for easy reference!  Review the ...
11/03/2025

Before starting your annual renewal, make sure your documents are ready. Save this post for easy reference!

Review the key documents you’ll need prepared as you complete your annual renewal by the January 15th deadline: https://buff.ly/i7N3bev

10/31/2025

It’s renewal time.

The Registrant Portal is now open. Both your annual renewal and Professional Portfolio submission are due January 15, 2026.

Start your renewal by logging into the College’s Registrant Portal: https://buff.ly/tJ0kTZc

Need guidance? Review the College’s renewal resources: https://buff.ly/i7N3bev

Questions? Our team is here to help. Connect with us at registration@collegeofopticians

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C’est le temps du renouvellement.

Le portail des membres est maintenant ouvert. Votre renouvellement annuel et la soumission de votre portefeuille professionnel doivent être effectués d’ici le 15 janvier 2026.

Commencez votre renouvellement en vous connectant au portail des membres : https://buff.ly/tJ0kTZc

Besoin d’aide? Consultez les ressources de renouvellement de l’Ordre : https://buff.ly/i7N3bev

Avez-vous des questions? Nous sommes là pour vous aider. Contactez-nous au registration@collegeofopticians.ca.

Can a layperson hand out contact lenses or glasses without an optician on site?  A layperson may only hand out contact l...
10/30/2025

Can a layperson hand out contact lenses or glasses without an optician on site?

A layperson may only hand out contact lenses if a Registered Optician has first exercised professional judgement and determined that a follow-up appointment is not required. The optician must also verify and mark the specific lenses to be dispensed.

This process helps ensure that patient safety remains the top priority. All dispensing must align with the College’s Standards of Practice.

Review the College’s Standards of Practice to learn more about your professional obligation: https://buff.ly/emPNyJe

If you need additional guidance, you can contact the College for practice advice at practiceadvice@collegeofopticians.ca

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Une personne non qualifiée peut-elle distribuer des lentilles de contact ou des lunettes sans la présence d’un opticien?

Une personne non qualifiée ne peut distribuer des lentilles de contact que si un opticien agréé a d’abord exercé son jugement professionnel et déterminé qu’un rendez-vous de suivi n’est pas nécessaire. L’opticien doit également vérifier et identifier les lentilles précises à remettre.

Ce processus permet de s’assurer que la sécurité des patients reste une priorité absolue. Toute distribution doit être conforme aux normes de pratique de l’Ordre.

Passez en r***e les normes de pratique de l’Ordre pour en savoir plus sur vos obligations professionnelles : https://buff.ly/emPNyJe

Si vous avez besoin de conseils supplémentaires, vous pouvez communiquer avec l’Ordre pour obtenir des conseils pratiques à practiceadvice@collegeofopticians.ca

Behind the frames of your opticianry care should be a professional you can trust.   The College of Opticians of Ontario ...
10/29/2025

Behind the frames of your opticianry care should be a professional you can trust.

The College of Opticians of Ontario protects the public by licensing opticians, setting standards of practice, and holding the province’s opticians accountable to provide safe and ethical care.

When in doubt, confirm your optician is qualified and licensed by searching the College’s Public Register: https://buff.ly/7bL88O5

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Derrière vos soins d’opticien se trouve un professionnel en qui vous pouvez avoir confiance.

L’Ordre des opticiens de l’Ontario protège le public en délivrant des permis d’exercice aux opticiens, en établissant des normes de pratique et en obligeant les opticiens de la province à fournir des soins sécuritaires et éthiques.

En cas de doute, vérifiez que votre opticien est qualifié et agréé en consultant le registre public de l’Ordre : https://buff.ly/7bL88O5

Address

90 Adelaide Street W Suite 300
Toronto, ON
M5H2C9

Opening Hours

Monday 8:30am - 4:30pm
Tuesday 8:30am - 4:30pm
Wednesday 8:30am - 4:30pm
Thursday 8:30am - 4:30pm
Friday 8:30am - 4:30pm

Telephone

+14163683616

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