November 2003 It is a condition on every certificate of registration that the optometrist obtains and maintains professional liability (malpractice) insurance. This condition is seen as protecting both members and…more
Resource Category: Policies & Guidelines - Administration
Prevention of Sexual Abuse in Optometric Practice
Update: Oct. 19, 2020: Due to Ontario Regulation 566/20, which passed in Oct. 2020, the following policy is currently under review. Revised: May 24, 2018 Introduction The College of Optometrists…more
Pre-Registration – NBEO Sponsorship Policy
Effective April 17, 2020 and updated March 7, 2025 Please note that the NBEO Sponsorship Policy is no longer applicable unless you are an internationally trained candidate who was approved…more
Practice Locations Reporting Requirements
Effective June 24, 2019 The College By-Laws require members to provide written notice of any change to information previously provided to the College within 14 days of the change. This…more
Non-Practising Fee Administration Policy
Administration of Non-Practising Fee Newly registered members Schedule A: How pro-rated portion of a member’s annual fee is calculated Example 1: If request to change from “non-practising” to “practising” is…more
Missed Appointments
February 2004 Q: Can I charge a patient who does not show up for an appointment? A: Yes, you may charge a patient for a missed appointment but only if the patient…more
Mandatory Reporting: Health Card Fraud
Bulletin, Feb. 2002 Under the Health Insurance Act (HIA), an optometrist is obliged to file a report when “in the course of his or her professional or official duties, has knowledge” that…more
Labour Mobility
Under the Ontario Labour Mobility Act, those applying for registration Ontario who are already registered in another Canadian jurisdiction will be asked to provide a notarized copy of their Doctor of…more
Independent Contractor: Risk & Control
June 2015 NB: This document does not apply to associate agreements with other optometrists or physicians where both owner(s) and associate(s) practice together (although these associate optometrists may be considered…more
Independent Contractor: Regulatory Standards Interpreted
Regulatory Standards (O. Reg. 119/94 Part II Conflict of Interest under the Optometry Act) Interpreted Effective April 15, 2014 NB: This document does not apply to associate agreements with other optometrists…more