Apply for a low income renewal fee

Are you eligible for a low income renewal fee?

If you are a registered optometrist or dispensing optician and you expect your gross personal income, for the year 1 April - 31 March, is going to be less than £16,000, you are eligible for the low-income fee.

The full year low income retention fee is £285. You will be charged based on how many quarters of the year you are registered for.

The low income rate is not available to businesses (bodies corporate) or students and we are not able to retrospectively apply the low income fee rate to applicants who subsequently earn below the £16,000 threshold during the 2024-25 renewal year.

If you have any questions about the low income fee and your eligibility please contact us at registration@optical.org or on 020 7580 3898 (option 1).

Please do not complete the online renewal process before we have informed you of the outcome of your application for the low-income fee. If you do, you will be charged the full renewal fee.

What is gross personal income? 

Gross personal income includes all income from all sources worldwide. It does not only relate to income from optometry or dispensing optics related activities. It includes, for example, pensions, investments, maternity pay, sick pay, and any kind of benefit.

Will I be audited?

If you choose to pay the low-income fee you must, upon request, provide us with copies of your payslips, bank statements or any other document related to your gross personal income.

If your income is assessed as greater than £16,000 or you do not supply evidence, you must immediately pay the difference (£120). We may request this information at any time.

Our Standards of Practice include requirements around honesty, trustworthiness and professionalism. Making a false declaration or failing to inform us of changes in your financial circumstances may call into question your fitness to practise.

How do I apply?

Submit a completed application in addition to your renewal application.