New Member Registration

In order to practice optometry in Alberta, it is mandatory to be a Regulated Member of the Alberta College of Optometrists (ACO). The following list summarizes the registration and licensure requirements for the various categories of applicants. If you are not sure of your application category, please contact the ACO office at admin@collegeofoptometrists.ab.ca.

Step 1- Preliminary Registration Form

Complete the Preliminary Registration Form for your appropriate category listed below, submit all required documentation to the ACO office, submit the registration fee and complete the statutory declaration.  All required information must be received at the ACO office before proceeding to Step 2.

Graduates of accredited Schools of Optometry in North America are allowed to apply directly to Optometry Examining Board of Canada (OEBC) to challenge the OEBC exam. Please visit the OEBC website www.oebc.ca for application and cost information. If you are a candidate in this category, please complete the application checklist, preliminary registration form and statutory declaration.

Graduates of non-accredited Schools of Optometry (outside of North America) are required to successfully complete a credentialing process at FORAC and successfully complete the Advanced Standing Optometry Preparatory Program (ASOPP) at the University of Waterloo before being allowed to challenge the OEBC exam. Please visit the FORAC website at www.FORAC-FAROC.ca and the ASOPP website for application and course information. If you are a candidate in this category, please complete the application checklist, preliminary registration form and statutory declaration.

All regulatory authorities in Canada are regulated by the Agreement on Internal Trade (AIT). This agreement allows the easy transfer of practitioners in good standing from one province to another. If you are a candidate in this category, please complete the application checklist, preliminary registration form and statutory declaration.

No mutual recognition or labor mobility agreement exists between any of the jurisdictions in the United States and Canada. If you are a candidate in this category, please complete the attached application checklist, preliminary registration form and statutory declaration.

No mutual recognition or labor mobility agreement exists between any of the jurisdictions elsewhere in the world and Canada. If you are a candidate in this category, please complete the application checklist, preliminary registration form and statutory declaration.

If you are a candidate in this category, please complete the application checklist, preliminary registration form and statutory declaration.

Step 2 – ACO Practice Permit Application

Complete and submit the Application for Practice Permit and the required ACO Practice Permit fee. Once all information is received at the ACO office and all fees are paid, an official notification will be sent to Alberta Health Care Practitioner Registry and the Alberta College of Pharmacists informing them of your status. You may not practice until all steps have been completed and appropriate notifications sent.

(Note: You must complete the above noted Preliminary Registration Form, Statutory Declaration Form and all required documentation before submitting an application for a Practice Permit)