The AOA approve programs accredited by the National Accreditation Committee of Opticians (NACO). Accreditation of opticianry programs is reviewed annually and completly reassessed every 6 years.

The Optician and Contact Lens Practitioner programs of the following education providers are recognized by the AOA, under terms and conditions established by the Board and with the terms ending on the dates indicated, as meeting the standards of academic or technical achievement required for registration, for the purposes of sections 35(1)(a) and 36(1)(b):

• Georgian College (expires May 30, 2015)
• Douglas College (expires December 31, 2015)
• Seneca College (expires December 31, 2015)
• Northern Alberta Institute of Technology (expires December 31, 2015)

There are seven steps in the registration process. The Regulations of the AOA and the Agreement on Internal Trade (AIT) allow for some applicants to be exempted for certain steps in the process.

If you are a gradute from an accredited program click here for more information.