Registration

FAQs

General

Q: Approximately how long will the whole registration process take?

A : Applications for registration are open for a maximum of two years from the date they are received by the College. Most applicants are able to complete the application process and become registered with the College in less than one year.

Q: How long is my application for registration valid?

A : Applications for registration are valid for a maximum of two years (24 months) from the date the application is received by the College. The two-year application period automatically ends when you have successfully completed the requirements for registration. The two-year timeline is provided only to give applicants adequate time to complete the registration requirements, not to allow successful applicants to delay the date they register. It is important to note that, regardless of the two-year application period, the Ontario Optometric Jurisprudence Examination must be successfuly completed within 12 months of applying for registration.

Q: Who can I ask to notarize my documents? Is a signature enough on the back of my photograph?

A : A notarized copy of a document or photograph is one that has been reviewed by a Notary Public who has stamped the copy or photograph with his/her seal and then signed and dated it. A notarized copy is a legal copy of your original document.

Q: When should I submit my letter of good standing?

A : A letter of good standing may be submitted at any time during the application process. However, it must be dated within six months of the applicant becoming registered. If you take more than six months to become registered after submitting a letter of good standing, an updated letter of good standing will be required to complete your application.

Q: Is it possible to have my 'good standing' status checked online by the College?

A : No. A letter of good standing must be sent to the College directly from the issuing body (the regulator) and must be dated no more than six months before your Certificate of Registration is issued and activated.

Q: When should I apply for my OHIP billing number?

A : You may apply for your billing number after your Certificate of Registration is issued and activated.

Q: What happens if the requirements for registration change after I've submitted my application?

A :

If the Registration Committee implements a new policy that affects applicants for registration, an individual who has already submitted an application for registration will be informed of the change and would generally be permitted to complete their application under the policies that were in effect at the time their application was submitted, or under the new policies, whichever is least onerous. However, if there is a change to the Registration Regulation that affects applicants for registration, it will apply to all applicants regardless when they submitted their application form.

Ontario Optometric Jurisprudence Exam

Q: How do I register for the Ontario Optometric Jurisprudence exam?

A : Submit a completed Application for a Certificate of Registration, all required documents and a cheque for the application fee made payable to the College of Optometrists of Ontario. You will be registered for the immediate next administration of the Jurisprudence Exam unless you contact the College and let us know that you would like to sit at a later administration.

Q: Where and how often is the Ontario Optometric Jurisprudence exam administered?

A : Starting in 2010, the exam will be administered six times annually. Two administrations, one in the spring and one in the fall, are accompanied by a one-day seminar. The other four administrations are offered without the seminar. Information regarding the date and location for each administration of the Ontario Optometric Jurisprudence exam are on the calendar located on the home page of the College website at www.collegeoptom.on.ca.

Q: Do I have to attend the Ontario Optometric Jurisprudence seminar?

A : Attendance at the seminar is recommended but not required.

Q: How long does it take to get the Ontario Optometric Jurisprudence exam results?

A : Jurisprudence results are reported within 4-6 weeks of each exam administration. Results are reported on a pass/fail basis.

Q: What happens if I fail the Ontario Optometric Jurisprudence exam?

A : If you fail the exam, you must arrange to take it again at another administration and pay the applicable fee. It is a requirement of registration that an applicant successfully complete the Jurisprudence examination within one year (12 months) of applying for registration. If you do not pass the exam within this timeframe you may submit a new application for registration and pay the applicable fee.

Q: Can I take the Ontario Optometric Jurisprudence exam before I graduate from my optometry program?

A : The College will accept an application before you graduate from an approved program provided you include a letter from the institution confirming your expected graduation date. Once you have graduated, you must provide the College with a notarized copy of your degree certificate.

Q: I passed Ontario Optometric Jurisprudence exam three years ago but did not get registered with the College, do I have to take it again?

A : Yes. An applicant must successfully complete the Ontario Optometric Jurisprudence exam within one year (12 months) of applying for registration.

Q: The CSAO schedule published by the Canadian Examiners in Optometry shows that they are offering a jurisprudence exam. Am I required to take that exam?

A : No. The jurisprudence exam shown on the CSAO schedule is not the Ontario Optometric Jurisprudence Exam. You should only take the jurisprudence exam administered by the College of Optometrists of Ontario.

CPIC Report (Criminal Record Check)

Q: What is a CPIC report (criminal record check)?

A : The CPIC report is a Canadian Police Information Centre (CPIC) Criminal Record Synopsis, a criminal record check. It is obtained by using your name to run a criminal record report against the Canadian Police Information Centre computerized database.

Q: Why do I have to get a CPIC report (criminal record check)?

A : One of the requirements of registration as an optometrist in Ontario is that you must not have been found guilty in relation to a criminal offence in any jurisdiction, or an offence under the Criminal Code (Canada), the Controlled Drugs and Substances Act (Canada) and the Food and Drugs Act (Canada). To provide evidence that you have met this requirement, you must provide a Canadian Police Information Centre Criminal Record Synopsis (CPIC report) as part of your application for registration. This report assists the College and the Registration Committee in identifying individuals who have a criminal record in Canada that could affect their suitability to be members of the College.

Q: Where do I go to get the CPIC report (criminal record check) done? How much will it cost and how long will it take?

A : Contact your local police department or the Royal Canadian Mounted Police regarding the process and fees involved in obtaining a CPIC report.

Q: Do I need to submit my fingerprints for the CPIC report (criminal record check)?

A : No, you are not required to submit your fingerprints. The College requires the report based only on your name and address information.

Q: Can I get a CPIC report (criminal record check) if my name has changed?

A : Yes. The CPIC report must be requested under your current name as well as any former or maiden names.

Q: How recent should the CPIC report (criminal record check) be?

A : The results of the CPIC report must be dated no earlier than 6 months before the date you become registered. For example, if you complete all of the requirements for registration on September 1, 2009, the results of your CPIC report must be dated on or after March 1, 2009. If you provide a CPIC report and then take longer than 6 months to complete the other requirements for registration, you will be required to submit an updated CPIC report to complete your application for registration.

Q: How do I submit the results of the CPIC report (crminal record check)?

A : The results of the CPIC report must be submitted to the College directly from the police or in the sealed envelope provided to you by the police.