College of Opticians of Ontario
The College of Opticians of Ontario (COO) is the governing body for opticians in Ontario.
The Office of the Fairness Commissioner (OFC) oversees the registration practices of the college to ensure that they are transparent, objective, impartial and fair for anyone who wants to practise as an optician in this province.
In 2009, the COO submitted its first-ever Fair Registrations Practices (FRP) Report, covering 2008, to the OFC. Since then, it has also submitted an FRP Report covering 2009 and its first audit of registration practices.
During 2009 - 2010, the OFC monitored developments related to the registration practices of the COO:
Information to Applicants: The time needed to process applications has shortened to three weeks from six-to-eight weeks. The COO intends to communicate the shorter timeline to its Ontario-based applicants and its applicants who are covered by Mutual Recognition Agreements. (A Mutual Recognition Agreement is an agreement between organizations in different jurisdictions. Each organization validates/accepts the licence/certificate granted by the other.)
Applications to Practise Processed by the COO in 2009
| Jan. 1 to Dec. 31 |
Jurisdiction Where Applicants Received Their Training |
Total |
| Ontario |
Other Canadian Provinces |
USA |
Other International |
Unknown |
| New applications received | 253 | 84 | 0 | 8 | 0 | 345 |
| Applicants who became members | 201 | 75 | 0 | 5 | 0 | 281 |
Applications to Practise Processed by the COO in 2008
| Jan. 1 to Dec. 31 |
Jurisdiction Where Applicants Received Their Training |
Total |
| Ontario |
Other Canadian Provinces |
USA |
Other International |
Unknown |
| New applications received | 93 | 52 | 0 | 3 | 0 | 148 |
| Applicants who became members | 86 | 41 | 0 | 3 | 0 | 130 |
The COO uses the following outside organization/s to assess the qualifications of its applicants:
The College of Opticians of Ontario falls under the jurisdiction of the Ministry of Health and Long-Term Care.
The OFC does not assess credentials, handle complaints or intervene in particular cases. Our mandate is one of systemic change.
Please contact the COO for further information about your ability to practise as an optician in Ontario.
