GOC streamlines international routes to registration

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 evaluation was carried out by an independent panel to support a revised approach to managing applications for GOC registration from optical professionals and graduates who qualified outside the UK. Two alternative routes to registration have been developed for applicants, which include: 

• successfully completing a short GOC approved qualification, designed for graduates/professionals with non-UK optometry and dispensing optics qualification(s), which meets the ETR (either in the UK or overseas); or 

• direct entry to the register. 

As we receive significantly fewer applications from dispensing opticians who qualify outside the UK, the evaluation only compared optometry qualifications.  

The qualification systems in Canada and the USA were assessed as matching or exceeding the ETR, enabling direct entry to the GOC register. Applications received from individuals with a relevant qualification(s) from these countries will be considered for direct entry to the GOC register with immediate effect. 

In many other cases, applicants will need to complete a short GOC approved qualification lasting no longer than one year designed for graduates/professionals with non-UK optometry qualification(s) prior to joining the GOC register, except for Australia, New Zealand and Ireland, where sufficient clinical experience may be evidenced for direct entry to the register on top of their acquired qualification(s).  

Countries that fall significantly short of the ETR or not included within the evaluation exercise will not be applicable for either of the above routes. 

Steve Brooker, Director of Regulatory Strategy at the GOC said: 

“The panel’s analysis confirms that UK qualifications are world-leading in preparing optometrists to work with a wide scope of practice, supporting the ambition in all four nations to deliver more eye care services in communities. 

Optometrists who qualified outside the UK represent a small but important part of the workforce helping to ensure patients can easily access safe and effective eye care. Our new streamlined, proportionate approach to managing applications will for the first time enable optometry professionals with non-UK qualifications of equivalent standard to proceed directly to registration without the need for further training.  

For many others, a GOC approved qualification lasting no longer than a year will be required to bridge the gap to our education standards. We expect these changes will significantly reduce the time required for overseas optometrists to register with us. 

We welcome applications from organisations that are interested in running an approved qualification designed for optical professionals who have qualified outside the UK in either optometry or dispensing optics.” 

View the non-UK Optometry Qualifications Evaluation Guidance here. 

Organisations interested in delivering approved qualifications should contact the GOC’s education team in the first instance at [email protected]