Please Note: Applications received by the College for a Certificate of Authorization (COA) will not be reviewed from Friday, December 20, 2024, to January 1, 2025, inclusive. Any emails or documents relating to a COA application received by the College during the above period, will be reviewed after January 2, 2025.
Registrants of the College of Optometrists of Ontario who choose to form a health professional corporation must first incorporate with the Ministry of Government Services under the Ontario Business Corporations Act before submitting an application to the College for a Certificate of Authorization. An optometry professional corporation must have a Certificate of Authorization issued by the College before the corporation may practice the profession of optometry. Before applying for articles of incorporation, registrants are advised to review the College’s application package for a Certificate of Authorization, Regulated Health Professions Act (RHPA) including the Health Professions Procedural Code (sections 85.8-85.14), and College by-laws (College By-Laws).
Applicants are urged to ensure that they are in compliance with regulations governing the corporation name and the restrictions within your articles as this is strictly enforced.
Corporations Incorporated Outside Ontario
Optometry professional corporations incorporated outside of Ontario, including corporations federally incorporated under the Canadian Business Corporation Act, cannot obtain a Certificate of Authorization without incorporating under the Ontario Business Corporation Act and complying with the requirements for a Certificate of Authorization under the Regulated Health Professions Act. These requirements include obtaining Articles of Continuance from the Ministry of Government Services.
Annual Renewals
A Certificate of Authorization must be renewed annually on or before the anniversary of the certificate’s date of issue. The College shall send a report to an optometry professional corporation requesting any information required by the Registrar in advance of the renewal date. The College assumes no responsibility for initiating application for renewal. The College will provide the optometry professional corporation with at least 30 days to respond.
If a corporation fails to comply with one or more of the requirements for renewal, the College will issue a notice proposing to revoke the corporation’s Certificate of Authorization. Revocation will occur 60 days from the date of the notice, if grounds for revocation still exist. Upon revocation, the corporation will cease to be an optometry professional corporation.
NOTE: The Registrar may revoke a Certificate of Authorization if the corporation fails to notify the College of any changes made to the corporation within 14 days following the change. Some changes to your corporation may affect the validity of your Certificate of Authorization.
The College is unable to provide any legal or accounting advice with regard to incorporation. The College recommends consulting a lawyer or accountant.
If you have any questions about the process of obtaining a Certificate of Authorization for an optometry professional corporation after you have read the application package, contact Sonya Kadarally or the College by phone 416-479-9295.
Certificate of Authorization Fees
| Item | Fee (includes 13% HST) |
| Initial Application Fee | $497.20 |
| Certificate Fee | $29.38 |
| Duplicate Certificate*only when ordered at the same time as the initial certificate | $12.43 |
| Annual Renewal Fee | $248.60 |
| Late Penalty Fee | $118.65 |
| Revised Application Fee*includes the Certificate | $248.60 |
Application Forms
Application for a Certificate of Authorization
Application for a Certificate of Authorization Revision
Application for a Certificate of Authorization Renewal
Forms
Change of Address
Change of Shareholders
Undertaking for Professional Corporations
