Register as a fully qualified individual

Overview

If you have completed the relevant education and training in the UK and wish to be an optometrist or dispensing optician, you must complete an application to be registered with us.

It is illegal to practise if you are not registered.

Important Notice – joining the register during 2026/27 registration renewal

We are approaching the end of the current registration year which runs from 1 April – 31 March. Fully qualified registrants are now able to renew their registration for 2026/27.

If you wish to apply to join the fully qualified register, you have two options:

Option 1: Register now and then complete renewal (in total this will cost £573.75).

If you need to register before 1 April, we will send you a PayPal invoice upon receipt of your application for:

Quarter 4 2025-26 fee = £103.75
Registration transfer fee = £45
Total = £148.75

Once registered you will need to login to MyGOC and complete annual renewal as a fully qualified registrant. You will need to pay the annual renewal fee:

Annual renewal fee 2026/27 = £425

This must be completed by 31 March 2026 or you will be removed from the register.

Option 2: Register after 1 April (in total this will cost £470).

This option is only applicable if you intend to start practise as an optometrist or dispensing optician after 1 April.

Upon receipt of your application after 1 April, we will send you a PayPal invoice for:

Quarter 1 2026-27 fee = £425
Registration transfer fee = £45
Total = £470

What action do I need to take?

If you need to proceed with Option 1, please click “Begin your application” once you have read through the rest of the guidance on this page and are ready to apply.

If you wish to proceed with Option 2, no action is required until 1 April. You will need to submit your application after this date.

How to apply

Before you begin your application read the important information, provided below, in full. It will save you time and help you complete your application
Complete the application form to join the register as a fully qualified individual, including correctly certified identification form.
Pay the appropriate application fee, which for 2025-26 is £415 for fully qualified individuals. If you are transferring from the student register, then you will pay £415 plus a transfer fee of £45. See our 2025-26 Registration Fee Rules for more information.

Information you will need to complete an application to join the fully qualified register

To complete this application form you will need:

Contact information, including your home address and/or practice address(es)
Details of the educational institute where you completed your qualifications and details of the qualifications you achieved
Details of any declarations you may need to make about your fitness to practise. Find out more about when and how to make a declaration.
If you are applying for a low income fee - details of your gross annual personal income from all sources
A completed registration identification form and correctly certified identification.

Please do not begin this application without having this information available as you will not be able to complete it. You are not able to save progress on this form.

How long it will take to process your application

We will process your application within ten working days of receipt of the application, certified ID, application fee and the pass list from the awarding body.

You can start the application process in advance of receiving your results. We will then log your application and take the payment. The final registration will not be processed until we receive the pass list from the awarding body. In the event of you not passing your exams, any fees that have been collected will be refunded to you.

Please note that due to high demand between August and October, processing times may be extended.

Once an application is confirmed

You will receive an email confirming your registration and your GOC number. You will then be able to access your MyGOC account, where you can update your details, download a receipt and renew your annual registration.

What happens if you don’t register?

You will be breaking the law and may be prosecuted if you refer to yourself as a dispensing optician or optometrist and/or carry out any restricted activities
You may not be covered by any professional indemnity insurance.

Applying from outside of the UK?

If you are applying from outside the UK then please visit our register from overseas section.

Applying to join the student register?

If you are a student and wish to join either the register of student optometrists or register of student dispensing opticians then please visit our register as a student section.