Non-Practicing opticians should not be employed in the Province of Alberta in Opticianry or practicing under the supervision of a eye care professional. In addition, the Registration Committee emphasizes that non-practicing Opticians passing themselves off as working under the supervision of a eye care professional put themselves in a conflicted position and in contravention of the Opticians Act.
Opticians that apply for Non-Practicing status usually consists of Opticians that are on maternity leave, leaving the province, or temporarily leaving the industry and wish to maintain a license and remain on the AOA roster.
Am I Still An Optician?
A registrant recently raised an interesting question – what happens when I stay as a non-practicing optician for more than 3 years? Do I have to redo my education program? This is being considered by Council at this time. The Registration Committee may set a 3 year time limit. You will be notified in the Newsletter if changeds are accepted. It is possible that if after 3 years you might need to complete an exam or even a current course and to become an Optician again. The best advice is to not put yourself in this position.
In further clarification, please note that non-practicing opticians should not be using their non-practicing status to work under the supervision of someone else's license.
Of course as always, if you do not know the answer to something, please just phone the AOA office at (780) 429-2694 .