Candidates must bring:

1. One (1) piece of government issued photo identification (i.e. driver's license, passport, etc.)
2. Pen or pencil
3. Eraser (if applicable)
4. Calculator (programmable calculators are not permitted)

All items must be in a clear bag.

Candidates may bring food and drink to the examination. Food and drink will not be permitted within sections of the exams, but candidates are encouraged to take breaks as needed and will be given access to food and drink during those times in designated areas.

Candidates may bring their own equipment to the examination. The candidate is responsible for the accuracy of calibration of their own equipment and must present the equipment to the exam moderator at the point of registration at the exam(s) to be authorized by NACOR. Automated equipment is not permitted at the examinations. NACOR assumes no responsibility for a candidate’s equipment.

If the candidate does not bring their own equipment, they will be required to use the equipment provided by NACOR. The examiner for each section will randomly assign each candidate to the equipment available for that section. Candidates will not be permitted to choose the equipment.

All books, papers, memoranda, audiovisual aids, personal tablets, computers, electronic translators or other memory aids or devices (including cell phones and smart watches) are not permitted in the examination environment.

The examination environment is scent free. Candidates are to refrain from wearing perfume and cologne to the examination.

The National Examinations for Canadian Opticians are professional examinations and candidates must refrain from dressing casually at exams. A candidate who fails to dress professionally may be ineligible to sit the exam. Jeans or leisure wear are not considered professional attire. Scrubs are permitted.

Candidates will not be allowed to enter an examination or to sit the examination after the Moderator has started the session. A candidate who is late to an examination will forfeit all examination fees. For more information about withdrawing from an examination due to illness or extraordinary circumstances, refer to Withdrawing from an Exam.

Candidates are expected to be aware of the legal, ethical, and professional implications of their participation in the examinations. It is assumed that candidates are participating in the examinations in a good faith attempt to pass, and for the sole purpose of fulfilling requirements for registration with a Canadian optician regulator. Candidates must always maintain professional behaviour and must not engage in any activity that would be considered illegal, such as assault, harassment, or theft. In this regard, candidates are expected to:

• Be respectful towards other candidates, NACOR, and exam administrators/examiners at all times.
• Refrain from making malicious or disparaging comments about the examinations or NACOR.
• Cooperate and comply with instructions from NACOR and exam administrators and examiners.
• Refrain from threatening or engaging in physical harm or violence towards themselves or exam administrators, examiners, or other candidates before, during, or after the examination.
• Refrain from harassing exam administrators, examiners, or other candidates before, during, or after the examination. Harassment includes any comment or conduct that is known, or ought to be known, to be unwelcome including sexual conduct or comments, bullying, personal abuse, or psychological abuse.
• Refrain from cheating, in any form, on the examinations. Cheating on the examinations includes any breach or attempted breach of examination integrity and security that could affect a candidate’s own results, the results of another candidate, or the results of a potential future candidate.
• Refrain from speaking to other candidates. In particular, to refrain from discussing with other candidates, both during and after the exams, any specific questions from their exams, or any of the practical procedures they performed during their exams.
• Report any breaches of exam integrity and/or security to NACOR.

Failure by a candidate to uphold these rules of conduct may result in imposition of conditions or immediate disqualification and expulsion from the examination.

NACOR has complete discretion over maintaining the stability of the examination environment and decisions regarding breaches of appropriate candidate conduct. NACOR, upon ascertaining that a candidate displays unsafe or inappropriate behavior, or who NACOR suspects are guilty of examination dishonesty, has the authority to require that candidate leave the environment. Further, NACOR, upon ascertaining the presence of a candidate represents a disruption to the other candidates, has the authority to require that candidate leave the environment.

Candidates must bring any questions or concerns to the attention of an examiner or NACOR representative as soon as any issues arise. Any questions or concerns brought to the attention of NACOR after the examination has concluded cannot be addressed. We will do our best to assist candidates whenever possible.