College Newsletter February 2021

Renewal opens | Automated refraction tool kit

Renewal information for 2021

The renewal portal opens on Wednesday, February 17 2021 and we will be sending out a reminder email with all the information you need very shortly. A few things to bear in mind in the meantime:

  • Your Criminal Record Check must be up to date in order to renew. A new check must be completed every five years. If you are unsure if your Criminal Record Check is valid, please email us. 
  • If your Continuing Competency Program was due to be completed by December 31 2020, please ensure you have completed all sections of your plan or have had an official extension granted. More info here. 
  • Renewal can only be done online thorugh the portal which opens on February 17 and we will not be accepting any renewal applications in advance of this date.
  • Please remember to complete your renewal before March 31st, 2021 to avoid late fees.
 

Fee increase notice 2021

COBC is increasing some of the registration fees for 2021-2022. Information about the increase can be found on our FAQ page and the full fee schedule can be found here. The new fees will be in effect as of February 15, 2021.  
 

A notice to our non-practicing registrants

With renewal just around the corner, we are aware that you may be changing your status from non-practicing to practicing as you renew your license. Being registered as practicing is mandatory if you are intending to return to work. 

To make sure you are ready to complete the application and so that you do not miss the renewal deadline, please ensure your criminal record check is up to date. You will not be able to change your status to practicing if you do not have a valid criminal record check. For information on Criminal Record Checks and instructions on how to complete a re-check, click here.

 

CCP reminder

If your Continuing Competency Program deadline was December 31, 2020 this is a reminder that all the steps must be completed or have had an official extension granted before you can renew your license.

If you have any questions or need some guidance on completing your program, please visit our Guides and Tools page or watch our CCP Walkthrough Video. 
 

Automated Refraction Tool Kit

COBC has established high qualifications, professional standards and strict guidelines around independent automated refraction to safeguard public safety. Only certified opticians who are trained to safely and effectively perform automated refraction are legally permitted to assess visual acuity. 

For more information on how to become certifed to perform independent automated refraction, and for answers to some of the frequently asked questions about the practice, please review our Automated Refraction Toolkit.

 

Help shape the future of automated refracting

The Opticians Association of Canada (OAC) is launching a survey aimed at Licensed Opticians in BC who are certified to conduct independent automated refraction. 

The purpose of the survey is to improve the practice of automated refraction and address some of the barriers related to conducting the practice.

Results will help shape future discussions with various stakeholders and government, and will also assist COBC in preparation of potential changes to regulatory practices.

The survey will be followed by a virtual town hall and partiipation can be used towards a learning goal under your Continuing Competency Program. 

Take the survey

 
 

COBC Board election results

In December 2020, the Election was held for the two vacant Board of Director positions, for District 1: Lower Mainland.

Registrants of District 1 voted to re-appoint Kim McEachern to the Board, along with new member Karl Chua, where they will now serve for a 3-year term, between 2021-2023. 

In our January board meeting, Peter Luongo was elected Board Chair for 2021. 

 
 

Black History Month 

In honour of Black History Month, we we would like to share this article from Invision Magazine featuring some of the work being done by our American colleagues to address diveristy and inclusion in the opticial industry. Combatting racism is a matter of public safety and we hope you'll join us in working towards positive change, this and every month. 

The College of Opticians of BC operates on the traditional, ancestral and unceded Coast Salish territories of the Sḵwx̱wú7mesh (Squamish), səl̓ílwətaʔɬ (Tsleil-Waututh) and xʷməθkʷəy̓əm (Musqueam) Nations.

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