Looking to hire an RO or RCLP?
If you are looking to hire a Registered Optician and/or Registered Contact Lens Practitioner please visit our Advertising section to submit a classified ad to our website.
Employer Information
As an employer you should be aware that Registered Opticians and Registered Contact Lens Practitioners are governed by the Alberta Governments Health Professions Act. Opticians are authorized by the Opticians Regulations to undertake optical dispensing. The limits and responsibilities of Registered Opticians and Registered Contact Lens Practitioners are described in the Act and Regulations. Further, Opticians are obligated to practice within guidelines described in the Standards of Practice; they have also undertaken to be bound by the Opticians Code of Ethics. Copies of each of these documents are available at the bottom of this page.
Mandatory Registration
Mandatory Registration in the HPA says that those are trained and educated as an optician and are acting as an optician must be registered. It is an offense to knowingly employ one who should registered, but is not
Employers should be aware that any individual holding themselves out as an Optician must be registered with the College of Opticians of Alberta in order to dispense eye glasses, fit contact lenses or low-vision aids as set out in the Act. Registered Opticians are required at all times to display their official Practice Permit with a seal supplied by the COA indicating their status as currently registered with the COA.
Charges and Fines to Employer
When the COA receives information that individuals who are not Registered Opticians are performing the act of dispensing eyeglasses, contact lenses or low-vision aids contrary to the Act, the College of Opticians of Alberta can and will take action with the Alberta Courts against unauthorized practice.
Below are areas of the website that may be of interest to employers of Opticians in Alberta.