General Optical Council

Registration

Can I have a copy of my registration certificate?

When you first register with us, we will send you a registration certificate free of charge. To order a duplicate please send a cheque for £5 together with a note of your name, address and registration number to: Registration Department, General Optical Council, 41 Harley Street, London W1G 8DJ. Or alternatively, email a member of our registration team.

As a registrant, how can I demonstrate to my patients that I am GOC registered?

You can check your current registration status at any time on our online registers. These are updated daily. If you are a registrant and someone has a query about your registration status, you should refer them to the online registers and provide them with your GOC number as a reference. You can use the following documents as a reference to your GOC number:

Downloadable logo
Registration card
Registration certificate

None of the above are proof of registration, but can be used as a reference to your GOC number.

You can now download your own unique GOC-registered logo to promote your registered status to patients and the public. You can access your logo by logging into the registrants area of our website . Your logo is personalised with your GOC number and you can use it on letterheads, business cards and your website.

We send a registration card to all practitioners when they first register with the GOC, and then on a yearly basis after the retention period. If you have lost your registration card you can order a new one by contacting the registration department. The cost of a new registration card is £10.

We will only send you a registration certificate when you first register. If you have lost your certificate or would like an up-to-date one, please send a written request to the registration department with a cheque for £5.00. Cheques should be made payable to General Optical Council.

 

How do I tell you about a change of address?

To change your contact details online, you will need your GOC username. This will be your GOC number. (Use capitals and include the hyphen). You will also need your password, which by default is set to your date of birth in the format dd/mm/yy. Include the forward slashes)

Alternatively you may notify us of your new address in writing by post, fax or email, to our registration team. Please note: we cannot accept notification by phone, as a hard copy needs to be placed on file for reference.

How can I tell you about a change of name?

If you have changed your name after a marriage or civil partnership, send a copy of your marriage or civil partnership certificate to our registration team. We will then update your records accordingly.
If you have changed your name by Deed Poll, send a copy of the Deed Poll to our registration team, by either post or fax.
If you would like a registration certificate in your new name, return your old certificate with your original documents and we will send you an updated certificate free of charge.

What is my GOC number?

You can check your GOC registration number by searching the online registers. If you have recently applied for registration or restoration, your new GOC number should become visable within 24 hours from the time that we process your application. We aim to process all forms within 3 working days, provided that they are filled out correctly and that you have provided all the necessary information. 

 
For more information contact our registration team on 020 7580 3898 (option 1.)

How can I get a copy of the opticians register?

All our registers are available to search online. The registers are not available in printed format.

What insurance is required for registration?

To register as an optometrist or dispensing optician, you must be adequately covered by an appropriate, UK-valid professional indemnity insurance policy.
Some of the professional bodies offer insurance. The Association of Optometrists (AOP) offers insurance as a benefit to members. Members of the Association of British Dispensing Opticians (ABDO) can take out ABDO insurance at a special rate. If you hold insurance as part of a professional body membership, you must notify us immediately if this membership lapses.
If you are an employee of a company, you may be covered by their insurance policy.
If you are covered by a corporate policy you must not carry out any professional work outside this employment without ensuring alternative cover arrangements are in place.
Professional indemnity insurance can also be obtained from an independent insurance broker.