Optometrists from the United States and Canada

If you qualified as an optometrist in the United States or Canada, you may be eligible for direct entry to the General Optical Council (GOC) register, provided you meet our requirements.  

Who can apply?

Optometry professionals with qualifications accredited by the Accreditation Council on Optometric Education (ACOE) can apply directly to join the GOC register, subject to checks by our Registration Team. This is because our analysis has found that the qualification systems in the United States and Canada meet or exceed our education and training requirements. 

The full list of approved institutions can be found below:

United States

  • Ferris State University Michigan College of Optometry 

  • Illinois College of Optometry 

  • Indiana University, School of Optometry 

  • Inter American University of Puerto Rico, School of Optometry  

  • MCPHS University School of Optometry 

  • Midwestern University Arizona College of Optometry 

  • Midwestern University Chicago College of Optometry 

  • New England College of Optometry 

  • Northeastern State University Oklahoma College of Optometry 

  • Nova Southeastern University College of Optometry 

  • Pacific University, College of Optometry 

  • Rocky Mountain University of Health Professions 

  • Pennsylvania College of Optometry at Salus at Drexel University 

  • Southern California College of Optometry at Marshall B. Ketchum University 

  • Southern College of Optometry 

  • State University of New York College of Optometry 

  • The Ohio State University, College of Optometry 

  • University of Alabama at Birmingham, School of Optometry 

  • University of California, Berkeley, Herbert Wertheim School of Optometry and Vision Science

  • University of Houston, College of Optometry  

  • University of Missouri-St. Louis, College of Optometry 

  • University of Pikeville Kentucky College of Optometry 

  • University of the Incarnate Word Rosenberg School of Optometry 

  • Western University of Health Sciences College of Optometry 

 

Canada

  • University of Montreal, École d Optométrie 

  • University of Waterloo, School of Optometry and Vision Science 

 

You must also meet the following eligibility criteria:

  • have proof of successful completion of an appropriate qualification 

  • have obtained a minimum score of 7 in the academic International English Language Testing System (IELTS) (individual scores for each section of the test must not be lower than 6, except for the ‘Speaking’ section where a minimum score of 7 is required) 

  • have verified your professional qualifications through our partner’s platform, Qualification Check (QC)   

  • have proof of license (which must not have expired) with a state regulatory board of optometry in the United States or the provincial or territorial governing body in Canada 

  • have a certificate of good standing with a state regulatory board of optometry in the United States or the provincial or territorial governing body in Canada. 

How to apply 

You must first complete our self-assessment form. Once you have completed this form, if eligible, we will send you an email including details of all documentation required and an application form for you to complete. Please allow up to three working days for a response.  

Prior to submitting your application form 

Prior to submitting your completed application form to the GOC, your qualification needs to be verified using Qualification Check (QC). QC use a Global Verification service to check your academic or professional qualifications directly with your education institute. There will be a cost for this service and the prices are available on the QC website. Please see our step-by-step guide to complete the QC check. The QC check must be completed prior to submitting your international application form to us or the application will be closed.  

Please ensure that you have familiarised yourself with our guidance on working in the UK.  

Submitting your application form 

The completed application form and supportive documents should be emailed to [email protected]. Please do not submit hard copies by post. 

How much will it cost? 

Our Registration Team will need to complete a number of checks before your application can be completed. For this, the following fee shall be payable: 

  • £130 scrutiny fee of the application form and supporting documents. 

The payment of this fee is non-refundable (including in the event that your application is closed or you are unable to proceed). Once you are invited to register as an optometrist, additional fees will be required in line with our Registration Fee Rules.