For the 2024/25 registration period, there will be an increase in the main registration fee for optometrists, dispensing opticians, and body corporates of 6.6%, to £405, in line with inflation.
For the 2024/25 registration period, there will be an increase in the main registration fee for optometrists, dispensing opticians, and body corporates of 6.6%, to £405, in line with inflation.
Fees for students will remain the same at £30, and the discount for low-income fees will remain at £120, meaning that the low-income fee will increase to £285.
Last year, registrant fees were increased below-inflation to £380. Between 2020 and 2023, registration fees remained frozen at £360. The changes to fees were agreed by Council at its latest meeting on 13 December.
This increase in fees will ensure the GOC can continue to fulfil its statutory remit and protect the public by upholding high standards in the optical professions, while sensibly managing risks in a climate of continued financial and economic volatility. The GOC’s journey over the previous few years has ensured we achieved all 18 PSA standards of good regulation in 2023. The priority now is to consolidate that work so that registrants can be confident they are supported by a sustainable, effective regulator, underpinned by prudent use of registrant fees. Next year the GOC will agree a new financial strategy for 2025-2030, which will include our approach to fees.
Declaration guidance for all student, fully qualified and body corporate applicants and registrants applying to join the register or to restore or retain their registration.
Identification form to be submitted with correctly certified identification as part of the application to apply to renew to the fully qualified registers.
The GOC has launched a consultation on changes to its international requirements for registration, which affects overseas registrants who gained their qualifications outside of the UK or Switzerland.
