Optometry

To practice as an optometrist in Canada, you’ll need:

• A four or five-year university program in optometry or a Doctor of Optometry (OD) degree accredited by the Accreditation Council on Optometric Education. Each program website will overview program-specific admissions requirements;

• An optional additional year of residency training upon completion of your OD degree;

• To complete a national examination through the Optometry Examining Board of Canada;

• To register with the province or territory-specific optometric regulatory and licensing body.

It is possible to pursue an OD degree abroad and return to Canada to practice. To achieve a license to practice in Canada, you will need to:

• Obtain a World Education Services (WES) International Credential Advantage Package (ICAP) credential evaluation report of your OD degree.

• Have your academic credentials assessed by the Federation of Optometric Regulatory Authorities of Canada (FORAC) for equivalency to University of Waterloo, School of Optometry and Vision Science.

• Complete an English language test if your OD degree was not conducted in English.

• Complete the Internationally Graduated Optometrists Evaluating Examination (IGOEE).

• Complete the Canadian Assessment in Competence in Optometry (OEBC) exam or be recommended to apply to the Advanced Standing Optometry Preparatory Program (ASOPP) at the University of Waterloo.

• Contact the optometric regulatory authority in your destination province or territory to register.

To apply to an OD program, you may apply through:

• Ontario Universities Application Centre (OUAC)

• École d'optométrie de l'Université de Montréal

• OptomCAS for U.S. programs.

• Book an appointment with the Centre for Career Development or attend a workshop or event to explore your options further.

• Engage in clubs and events with other students who share your interests through the Waterloo Undergraduate Student Association (WUSA)

• Visit the School of Optometry and Vision Science webpage to learn more about Waterloo’s optometry program.

• Review additional resources through Provincial professional optometric associations, the Canadian Association of Optometrists and the World Council of Optometry.

1. Learn more about: Medicine and Pharmacy programs

Canadian Association of Optometrists. (n.d.). Becoming a Doctor of Optometry. Canadian Association of Optometrists. https://opto.ca/becoming-a-doctor-of-optometry

Federation of Optometric Regulatory Authorities of Canada. (n.d.). Applying in English. https://www.forac-faroc.ca/international-applicants/applying-in-english/