Regulation - LGIC
College of Optometrists of Ontario - Registration Requirements
Regulation Number(s):
O. Reg. 837/93
Instrument Type:
Regulation - LGIC
Bill or Act:
Optometry Act, 1991
Summary of Decision:
This issue requires further consideration.
Analysis of Regulatory Impact:
No new administrative cost for business.
Further Information:
Proposal Number:
17-HLTC001
Posting Date:
February 21, 2017
Summary of Proposal:
College Introduction
In Ontario, the regulation of health professions is based on a self-governance model. There are 26 health regulatory colleges governing 28 health professions under the Regulated Health Professions Act, 1991 (RHPA) and their respective health profession Acts. Health regulatory colleges operate at arm's length from the provincial government and independently administer their own internal processes.
Under the RHPA and the Optometry Act, 1991, the College of Optometrists of Ontario is responsible for governing the self-regulating profession of optometry in Ontario. Under these Acts, the College of Optometrists of Ontario has the authority to make regulations on a variety of subject matters, including registration and the college's by-laws, subject to the prior review by the Minister of Health and Long-Term Care and the approval of the Lieutenant Governor in Council.
Summary of Proposal
Optometrists who wish to practise in Ontario are required to register with the College of Optometrists of Ontario. To register, optometrists must meet the requirements set by the College. The Registration Regulation sets out the requirements for the issuance of a Certificate of Registration to ensure that optometrists deliver safe, ethical and high quality eye care to members of the public.
The original, proposed Registration Regulation amendments were circulated for 60 days, from September 21, 2016 to December 6, 2016, for stakeholder feedback. Following a review of these comments, the College revised its regulatory proposal:
• Provision to add a "good character" registration requirement (the ability to demonstrate honesty and integrity in all actions, to practise in an ethical and safe manner, and to comply with all legislation, regulations, College by-laws, and policies governing the profession) to ensure enforceability. The language of this section will reflect that in the College's good character policy;
• Provision to add a "non-practising status" to the Registration Regulation, which would set out the process for non-practising members to return to active practice and ensure enforceability;
• Changes to the language of the Academic Certificate of Registration that minimizes the impact that complete revocation would have had on the University of Waterloo School of Optometry and Vision Science.
• Amendments to the College by-laws that would reduce the annual fee for non-practising members to half of that charged to active members. This would be more consistent with other health regulatory colleges' approved fees for non-practising members;
• Provision to only allow initial registration as active to ensure that all new registrants are in active practice upon registration and as close as possible to the time that their competencies have been assessed; and,
• Addition of consequential by-law amendments that are necessary to accurately reflect the active or inactive status of certificates of registration and amendments that relate to the register and fee schedule.
The revised, proposed regulation amendments and College by-laws were re-circulated to members and stakeholders for feedback on January 31, 2017.
To view and respond to the revised, proposed amendments, please use the following link to the College's website: http://www.collegeoptom.on.ca/recirculation-proposed-amendments-to-registration-regulation-and-college-by-laws/
In Ontario, the regulation of health professions is based on a self-governance model. There are 26 health regulatory colleges governing 28 health professions under the Regulated Health Professions Act, 1991 (RHPA) and their respective health profession Acts. Health regulatory colleges operate at arm's length from the provincial government and independently administer their own internal processes.
Under the RHPA and the Optometry Act, 1991, the College of Optometrists of Ontario is responsible for governing the self-regulating profession of optometry in Ontario. Under these Acts, the College of Optometrists of Ontario has the authority to make regulations on a variety of subject matters, including registration and the college's by-laws, subject to the prior review by the Minister of Health and Long-Term Care and the approval of the Lieutenant Governor in Council.
Summary of Proposal
Optometrists who wish to practise in Ontario are required to register with the College of Optometrists of Ontario. To register, optometrists must meet the requirements set by the College. The Registration Regulation sets out the requirements for the issuance of a Certificate of Registration to ensure that optometrists deliver safe, ethical and high quality eye care to members of the public.
The original, proposed Registration Regulation amendments were circulated for 60 days, from September 21, 2016 to December 6, 2016, for stakeholder feedback. Following a review of these comments, the College revised its regulatory proposal:
• Provision to add a "good character" registration requirement (the ability to demonstrate honesty and integrity in all actions, to practise in an ethical and safe manner, and to comply with all legislation, regulations, College by-laws, and policies governing the profession) to ensure enforceability. The language of this section will reflect that in the College's good character policy;
• Provision to add a "non-practising status" to the Registration Regulation, which would set out the process for non-practising members to return to active practice and ensure enforceability;
• Changes to the language of the Academic Certificate of Registration that minimizes the impact that complete revocation would have had on the University of Waterloo School of Optometry and Vision Science.
• Amendments to the College by-laws that would reduce the annual fee for non-practising members to half of that charged to active members. This would be more consistent with other health regulatory colleges' approved fees for non-practising members;
• Provision to only allow initial registration as active to ensure that all new registrants are in active practice upon registration and as close as possible to the time that their competencies have been assessed; and,
• Addition of consequential by-law amendments that are necessary to accurately reflect the active or inactive status of certificates of registration and amendments that relate to the register and fee schedule.
The revised, proposed regulation amendments and College by-laws were re-circulated to members and stakeholders for feedback on January 31, 2017.
To view and respond to the revised, proposed amendments, please use the following link to the College's website: http://www.collegeoptom.on.ca/recirculation-proposed-amendments-to-registration-regulation-and-college-by-laws/
Contact Address:
Contact: Dr. Paula Garshowitz, Registrar
Mailing Address: College of Optometrists of Ontario, Consultation Feedback, 65 St. Clair Ave. E., Suite 900, Toronto ON M4T 2Y3
Telephone: (416) 962-4071 extension 34
Fax: 416-962-4073
Website: www.collegeoptom.on.ca
Email: feedback@collegeoptom.on.ca
Mailing Address: College of Optometrists of Ontario, Consultation Feedback, 65 St. Clair Ave. E., Suite 900, Toronto ON M4T 2Y3
Telephone: (416) 962-4071 extension 34
Fax: 416-962-4073
Website: www.collegeoptom.on.ca
Email: feedback@collegeoptom.on.ca
Effective Date:
August 31, 2017
Decision:
Rejected