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Opticians dispense eyeglasses, contact lenses, low vision aids and prosthetics from written prescriptions or by duplicating existing optical products. They also may provide automated sight tests to consumers under contract with prescribing physicians or optometrists.
Alberta College and Association of Opticians
201, 2528 Ellwood Dr SW
Edmonton, Alberta
Canada T6X 0A9
Phone number: 780-429-2694
Toll-free phone number: 1-800-263-6026
Fax number: 780-426-5576
Toll-free fax number: 1-800-584-6896
Website: acao.ca
Under Alberta's Health Professions Act and Opticians Profession Regulation, registration with the Alberta College and Association of Opticians (ACAO) is mandatory if you meet the identified competency requirements and provide professional services directly to the public, teach the practice of the profession to members or students of the profession, or supervise registered members who provide services to the public. Registered members who are authorized by the College provide restricted activities specified in the Regulation. Only registered members of the College may call themselves or practice as an optician.
Registration requires successful completion of: (1) a diploma program in eyeglass dispensing approved by the Alberta College and Association of Opticians, and (2) approved examinations. Applicants who have been out of practice for a period of time also may have to demonstrate that they are currently competent to practice. For official, detailed information about registration requirements, visit the ACAO website or contact the ACAO. The ACAO has a prior learning assessment process for assessing credentials and training obtained outside Canada.
Opticians who are registered by and in good standing with a regulatory organization elsewhere in Canada may be eligible for registration in Alberta if registered opticians in the two jurisdictions have similar responsibilities and competencies. For more information, see "What if I am already certified in another province or territory?" and the Alberta regulatory authority (below).
To learn about certification for internationally educated opticians, see Optician Registration Process.
