General Optical Council

Non-UK applicants

Site hierarchy

We also register practitioners with optical qualifications gained overseas, who wish to practise in the UK. Applicants’ qualifications and practical experience are assessed by our overseas qualifications sub-committee, who decide whether the individual is eligible to practise in the UK.

There are two separate schemes for registration: one for professionals with qualifications from within the European Union (EU) or European Economic Area ( EEA ); and one for those with qualifications from outside the European Economic Area ( EEA ).

Applicants from within the EU/ EEA can apply for mutual recognition of their optical qualifications. Applicants from outside the European Economic Area ( EEA ) have to complete an initial assessment examination.

If you do not have sufficient knowledge/experience to practise in the UK, we may ask you to undergo further training for up to one year. This is called an ‘adaptation period’. If completed successfully, you may then be eligible to join the registers and practise in the UK.

How to register

What do I have to do?
If you gained your qualifications outside the UK but within the European Union (EU) (including Norway, Lichtenstein and Iceland):

  • Contact Paul Gavin for an EU application form.
  • Return your completed form to: Education team, General Optical Council, 41 Harley Street, London W1G 8DJ.
  • A sub-committee of our Education Committee will then decide whether your education and training is equivalent to that of a UK trained dispensing optician or optometrist. If so, your name is added to the full register.

 If you gained your optometry qualification outside the European Economic Area ( EEA ):

If you are a qualified dispensing optician and gained your qualification outside the EEA :