In Canada there are two ways to become an optician, you must either graduate from an Accredited Canadian Educational program or you must have completed the Prior Learning Assessment and Recognition (PLAR) process. The purpose of PLAR is to determine if your skills and knowledge are equivalent to an entry-level Canadian optician. If it is determined that your skills and knowledge are equivalent to an entry level optician, you would be considered equivalent to a graduate of an accredited program.

Canadian program graduates and successful PLAR applicants are eligible to sit the National Competency Examination(s) for Canadian Opticians. Everyone must pass the national examination(s) before they can become registered as an optician in Canada. This process is used by all provinces except Quebec.

For more information about becoming an optician in Canada, visit Become an Optician.