Standards in competence

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Standards in competence

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Standards in competence

The term ‘core competencies’ is used to describe the knowledge and skills an optometrist or dispensing optician must possess, in order to register with us and practise in the UK.

There are core competencies in four areas of practice:

optometry
dispensing optics
contact lenses (for dispensing opticians)
therapeutic prescribing (for optometrists).

To gain a qualification in optometry, dispensing optics, contact lenses or therapeutic prescribing, trainees have to demonstrate that they are proficient in the associated core competencies.

You can download each set of core competencies.