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The acceptance criteria document is a case management tool we use to decide if a complaint against a registrant amounts to an allegation of impaired fitness to practise that should be investigated under section 13D of the Opticians Act 1989. This is the law under which the GOC is permitted to investigate a registrant’s fitness to practise

How our EDI work is supporting fairer outcomes, inclusive access to eyecare and effective, trusted regulation.

The GOC has announced its fees for the 2026/7 registration period, which were approved by Council at its 17 December meeting.

The GOC has published two new pieces of guidance on maintaining appropriate sexual boundaries and care for patients in vulnerable circumstances.

Updates from the General Optical Council's final meeting of 2025.

The GOC has decided to suspend Khooshaal Dawoolet, an optometrist based in Barking, from its register for three months. 

The General Optical Council is looking to appoint two new Council Associates – one dispensing optician/contact lens optician and one optometrist.

We have published our annual report for the year ending March 2025, which sets out our achievements of meeting our strategic objectives.

The GOC has decided to suspend Siddique Chowdhury, an optometrist based in Manchester, from its register for two months.

The GOC has decided to erase Jack Harding, a student dispensing optician based in Stafford, from its register.

The GOC has decided to remove its registration of Fast Pop Specs.

The GOC has decided to suspend Ravi Bhojwani, an optometrist based in Nottingham, from its register for nine months.

The GOC has published an evaluation of non-UK optometry qualifications against its new education and training requirements (ETR) as part of a revised process for managing applications from overseas professionals to join its register.  

The GOC has published an evaluation of non-UK optometry qualifications against its new education and training requirements (ETR) as part of a revised process for managing applications from overseas professionals to join its register.  

We have published our UK Optical Education 2025 Report for GOC approved qualifications, which provides an analysis of education and training of optical students and trainees and a commentary on sector developments.