When I graduate from Optometry, can I go straight into practice?
You must first pass the profession’s registration and jurisprudence exams for the geographic area of interest, then you may go directly into practice.
Registration exams
To complete your professional qualifications, after graduation, candidates must pass a registration exam. In Canada, this exam is administered by the Optometry Examining Board of Canada (OEBC), and some provinces accept the National Board of Examiners in Optometry (NBEO) exam. The following links provide information on the overall success rates of our students, and there is more detail at the OEBC website.
Jurisprudence exams
Each province has a different jurisprudence exam. Access to each provinces web site can be found at the Canadian Association of Optometrists links page.
Finding a place to practice
You may prefer:
- Solo, partnership, or group practice
- Part-time or full-time
- Specialisation; contact lens, paediatrics, low vision, etc.
- A mixed OD and non-OD setting like a hospital or large clinic
Various professional optometry associations have their own job lists that are available with membership.
Residencies
Residencies are programs of at least one year undertaken by recent graduates. The resident doctor practices eye care beyond entry level practice, typically in a specialized area of optometry. The program consists of self-directed learning, seminar participation, instructional experiences, and scholarship.
Further information about residencies is available from the Association of Schools and Colleges of Optometry (ASCO) Residencies FAQ and American Optometric Student Association (AOSA) Optometric Residency Programs.
Post-graduate studies
Alternatively, some Optometry students continue on with post-graduate studies and work toward an MSc or PhD. Details of the School's post-graduate program in Vision Science can be found at Prospective Graduate Students.
The School offers an accelerated Doctor of Optometry – Master of Science program allowing you to work towards both degrees in an accelerated fashion. Details can be found on the Optometry page of the Undergraduate Calendar.