optician



OCCUPATION INFORMATION YOU NEED TO KNOW:

Who is the licensing body responsible for Opticians in Alberta?

In Alberta, you must be registered with the Alberta Opticians Association to practice as an Optician. Only registered members may call themselves Opticians. 

What are the registration requirements for internationally educated Opticians?

  1. In Alberta, as the first pathway into the profession, opticians must have a combination of internship (practicum) experience and technical courses.  
  2. The second pathway is to apply to the Alberta Opticians Association and submit all the required documents for an evaluated equivalency. The application forms must be notarized and, documents that are not in English must be translated. Translation services can be found on The Association of Translators and Interpreters of Alberta website.  
  3. A Prior Learning Assessment process is available to assess training and experience not deemed equivalent, as the third pathway into the profession. If necessary, bridging alternatives will be recommended.

Temporary Permit

International candidates may apply for a Provisional Optician Permit. This permit allows the International candidate to practice under supervision until qualifications are assessed.

Examination Information

Prior Learning Assessment may require applicants to sit the National Practical Licensing Examination. The National exam is offered by the National Association of Canadian Opticianry Regulators (NACOR). This examination may be attempted in any province in Canada except Quebec. Information can be accessed under the examination tab at: http://www.naco.ca/.

What are the educational requirements for Opticians in Alberta?

(Note: Licensing bodies compare international education and experience to Canadian standards)

In Alberta, as the first pathway into the profession, opticians must have a combination of internship (practicum) experience and technical courses. The Northern Alberta Institute of Technology (NAIT) in Edmonton offers a two year independent study Optical Sciences - Eyeglasses Dispensing program.

For more information on occupational duties and wages, visit the Alberta Learning Information Service at www.alis.gov.ab.ca and search for Optician under occupational information.

What information resources are available for Opticians in Alberta?

EDinfo
website: www.alis.gov.ab.ca/edinfo

Alberta Opticians Association (AOA)
website: www.albertaopticians.org

National Association of Canadian Opticianry Regulators (NACOR)
website www.nacor.ca

Opticians Association of Canada (OAC)
website: www.opticians.ca

Northern Alberta Institute of Technology (NAIT)
website www.nait.ca

                                                                                                                            Last Updated: August 2009