The Use of Reserved Titles

The right to use certain names and titles is serious business, especially in the health profession. Many Alberta professional regulations have a whole section devoted to clarifying what a professional can call themselves. This is called a reserved title.

The Health Professions Act and Opticians Regulation reserves the titles so that only registered persons with the AOA have the right to use these titles. 

• Optician
• Ophthalmic Dispenser
• Optical Dispenser"
• R.O.
• Contact Lens Practitioner
• Contact Lens Fitter
• Contact Lens Dispenser
• R.C.L.P.

Your Title as an Optician is Reserved and Protected

• Registered Optician. RO
• Registered Contact Lens Practitioner, RCLP

Correctly using reserved titles also allows clients to know they are dealing with a registered professional who has undergone the required training and is held to a high standard of practice. It is essential to Alberta Opticians to protect their titles and designations you've worked hard for this designation and continue to learn on an ongoing basis.

The AOA protects the use of the titles under the Act. Only active registrants of the AOA can use the title “Optician” and other associated terms. No other person can claim to be an “Optician” or suggest that s/he is recognized by the AOA.

When a business wishes to use the title “Optician” in their advertising, marketing or company name, they are only entitled to do so if there are persons working within the business who are rightly registered Opticians with AOA. Businesses cannot use the reserved titles for Opticianry if they do not have registered Opticians on staff.

Protect Your Title As An Optician

One of the most important things to an optician is your  title. Correctly using the reserved title as an Optician allows clients to know they are dealing with a professional who has undergone the required training, is registered with the AOA and is held to a high standard of practice.

Hence Opticians should be very concerned when people who are not Opticians call themselves so because it can reflect poorly on the profession. Take pride in your title as an optician and help maintain the profession.