General Optical Council

As the statutory regulator for the optical professions, it is our duty to be informed about matters relating to a registrant’s character, behaviour or judgement.
 
Registrants must declare all criminal convictions, cautions and disciplinary proceedings on their registration, retention and/ or restoration form. This includes minor misdemeanours, but not road traffic offences dealt with by way of a fixed penalty notice.

All declarations are reviewed, in strict confidence, by our Registrar. They are dealt with on a case-by-case basis in line with our Protocol.

If a registrant fails to declare any matter that subsequently comes to light, it could become a material consideration in a Fitness to Practise hearing.

What to declare

• Spent sentences, cautions, and any matters currently under investigation.
• Any conviction, caution or investigation in relation to a criminal offence apart from matters which have been previously declared (unless our Registrar has specifically asked the registrant to declare them again).
• Road traffic offences (speeding, parking fines) except where the matter has been dealt with by way of a ‘fixed penalty notice’ – such matters do not constitute a criminal conviction.
• NB This type of offence must be recorded but will not in itself jeopardise registration with us.
• Investigations or determinations by any of the other UK health regulatory bodies, as well as by a primary care organisation.