General Optical Council

Completing overseas CET

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A number of overseas optical bodies offer a CET (or CPD equivalent) scheme that is similar to the compulsory CET scheme for optometrists and dispensing opticians in the UK. 

Each scheme will differ, and CET/CPD offered in one country may not fulfil the requirements of UK CET. We therefore operate a prospective approvals system for current and potential registrants who are completing CET abroad. This ensures optical practitioners are receiving the skills and training that they need to maintain GOC registration. 

Please note: overseas CET cannot be approved retrospectively. 

Practitioners completing CET abroad fall into three categories. Select the category which best suits you:

UK-based GOC registrants undertaking overseas CET
Overseas-based GOC registrants undertaking overseas CET
Overseas-based practitioners wishing to join or restore to the GOC registers

How to gain prospective approval for overseas CET
For instructions on how to gain prospective approval for overseas CET, visit www.cetoptics.com under My CET/CET outside the UK.

Monitoring your account overseas
You can monitor your CET achievements by accessing your CET account at www.cetoptics.com. If you do not already have an existing account, you must set one up. Your CET account evidences the fact that you have achieved the minimum amount of CET needed to be registered with the GOC. 


UK-based GOC registrants undertaking overseas CET
Occasionally UK registrants wish to complete CET that is based overseas. If you want that CET to count toward your overall CET score, you must gain approval of the event or conference before you attend. If you do not get the CET approved, it will not count toward your total. Find out how to gain prospective approval for overseas CET at www.cetoptics.com (under My CET/CET outside the UK). 
 

Overseas-based GOC registrants undertaking overseas CET
Although CET can often be difficult to find if you are overseas, it is your responsibility gain the minimum CET requirement for each cycle you remain registered. A number of education providers offer GOC-approved CET through distance learning packages which can be accessed anywhere in the world. For more information on these providers contact Vantage Technologies who run the CET on our behalf.
 
Attending overseas conferences or events can also count toward your CET, providing you get the event in question approved before you attend.
 
 
Overseas-based practitioners wishing to join or restore to the GOC registers
If you wish to practise in the UK as an optometrist or dispensing optician you are legally obliged to be registered with the GOC. If you have previously been registered with the GOC and want to restore to the registers, you must gain a minimum of 12 general CET points (and six specialty points if you want to practice in any of the specialty areas), in the 12 months prior to restoring to the GOC register.  If you chose to gain these points before taking up work in the UK, see the section above on details of how to obtain CET points whilst residing overseas.
 
If you have gained your qualifications outside the UK and want to practise in the UK, see the section for overseas applicants.