Optometry

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

• A four or five-year university program in optometry or 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

(Canadian Association of Optometrists, n.d.)

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) Interational 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) (ASOPP) at the University of Waterloo

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

(Federation of Optometric Regulatory Authorities of Canada, n.d.)

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 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, Canadian Association of Optometrists and World Council of Optometry.

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/