International Graduates

International Graduates of Non-ACOE Accredited Schools

Please read the following information if you are applying for registration in any Canadian province or territory other than Quebec.

For registration in the province of Quebec, please visit the website of the Ordre des Optométristes du Québec.

Pour de l’information concernant l’inscription dans la province du Québec, veuillez visiter le site internet de l’Ordre des optométristes du Québec.

Credential Assessment Process for All Provinces (except Quebec)

This flow chart outlines the steps in the registration process for international graduates of non-ACOE accredited schools seeking registration to practise in Canada. Please note that Steps 1.a, b., c., d., and e., in the flow chart, can all be completed while the internationally educated graduates are still overseas. More information about each of these steps, and about alternative language tests, is detailed below. Although not all the English proficiency tests are available overseas, the International English Language Testing System (IELTS) English proficiency test can be completed from outside of Canada.

Updated May 5, 2016

FORAC (Federation of Optometric Regulatory Authorities of Canada) NOW ACCEPTING APPLICATIONS DIRECTLY

The Federation of Optometric Regulatory Authorities of Canada (FORAC) (formerly known as CORA) has now established a national process. Click here to visit FORAC’s website.

Starting January 1, 2017, new applicants for registration must be certified to prescribe drugs (or TPA-certified) prior to making their application to the College. This includes those applying for registration in Ontario under labour mobility provisions. Applicants presently in the system would be accepted under the current requirements.

September 19, 2014: Important memo to international applicants from the FORAC office:

Please be advised that new applications from International Graduates of non-ACOE Accredited Schools will now be accepted by FORAC directly.

Applications that have already been received prior to June 30, 2014, but not yet completed by the College, have been transferred to the National Credentialing Office and continue to be processed. FORAC has set up the following email address for new and current applicants: forac.credentialing@gmail.com. The mailing address is:

FORAC Credentialing Service
Sheppard Centre Post Office
4841 Yonge Street – Unit B6
PO Box 43215
Toronto, Ontario
M2N 6N1
Phone number: 416-644-0055
Thank you for your patience during the transition period. We look forward to assisting you with your academic credentialing request.
—National Credentialing Office

Access to Applicant Information and Records Policy

Applicants are entitled to access documents provided to the College as part of their application process. Please refer to the following College policy.

International Optometric Bridging Program

Applicants who have been identified by the Registration Committee of the relevant province to require further education or training, prior to registration, will be permitted to apply to the International Optometric Bridging Program (IOBP).

To help international graduates meet the academic equivalency requirement for registration, the College of Optometrists with the University of Waterloo School of Optometry and Vision Science developed the International Optometric Bridging Program. This includes Bridging One, a ten-week program, or Bridging Two, a 48-week structured academic and practical program. Click here for information regarding the bridging program.

Contact Us

For more information regarding the above process, please contact Ms. Hanan K. Jibry, Assistant Registrar, College of Optometrists of Ontario.