If you completed your optician training outside of Canada and want to continue your career here, there’s good news. Canada offers a structured process to have your skills recognized and obtain your license to practice as a licensed optician.
Here are the key steps to help you begin the process and move toward a recognized professional career in your new country.
1. Understand the role of the optician in Canada
Before starting, it’s important to understand what opticians do in Canada. They are regulated health professionals authorized to interpret prescriptions, adjust frames, take precise measurements, advise on lens or contact lens options, fit and dispense contact lenses and provide ongoing patient support.
Each province and territory has its own regulatory body, but all follow national standards. The profession combines technical accuracy, customer service, and applied scientific knowledge.
2. Assess your skills through the PLAR process
If you received your training abroad, you can apply to have your qualifications recognized through the PLAR process (Prior Learning Assessment and Recognition).
This process evaluates your education, work experience, and prior learning to determine whether they meet Canadian standards. It is managed by the National Alliance of Canadian Optician Regulators (NACOR).
You will be asked to submit documents such as:
- your transcripts and diplomas translated into English or French
- proof of work experience
- a detailed list of courses completed
A NACOR advisor will review your file and inform you of any additional steps required, such as completing specific courses or undergoing a written or practical assessment.
3. Write the national certification exams
Depending on the outcome of your PLAR assessment, you may be eligible to write the national optician exams. The exams include theory and application as well as demonstration of practical skills.
These exams are standardized across Canada and are a key requirement for obtaining your license.
4. Get your license in your province
Once you’ve passed the exams, you must register with the optician regulatory body in your province or territory (such as the Ordre des opticiens d’ordonnances du Québec or the College of Opticians of Ontario).
You will need to submit:
- your NACOR exam results
- proof of residence or address in Canada
- any additional documents required by your province
Once approved, you will be authorized to work as a licensed optician in Canada.
5. Get support and assess your skills
You don’t have to go through the process alone. The Become An Optician website offers a variety of resources to guide you every step of the way. You’ll find detailed explanations about the role of opticians in Canada, the different access paths depending on your background, the PLAR process, and provincial licensing requirements.
You can also assess your skills online using an interactive tool. This tool gives you a first look at how your current training compares to Canadian requirements. It will help you better understand where you stand and plan your next steps with confidence.