Eligibility
Registered and Practicing Optometrists who are Registered/Licensed and have completed a recognized OD program that includes an Office-based Laser and Minor Surgical Procedures program, or course approved by OEBC.
Current approved courses include University of Waterloo School of Optometry and Vision Science or Northeastern State University Oklahoma, College of Optometry.
Eligibility requests submitted are for both the written and OSCE components.
Exam Registration Policies
OEBC’s exam administration policies and procedures are established to allow for appropriate security, bilingual administration, and optimum efficiency of administration. All information about the exam including registration is available on this website. If you have reviewed this information and still have a question, please contact OEBC at exams@oebc.ca.
Attempts, Absences and Withdrawals
Eligible candidates must register to challenge both (written & OSCE) exam components at one administration.
- Attempts — A candidate has four attempts to complete the LMS exam and must pass both components during an administration.
- If a candidate fails the fourth attempt, they will have failed the LMS exam and will be ineligible for any further attempts.
- Absent — If a candidate is absent from an exam, it is counted as an attempt, and the candidate forfeits their fees. If a candidate believes that exceptional circumstances prevented them from withdrawing from the exam, they may advise the CEO of the reasons and request that the attempt be reinstated. The request must be made within 30 days of the date of the exam.
- Withdrawals — A candidate may withdraw from an exam at any time, including before the exam by notifying exams@oebc.ca. A withdrawal is not counted as an attempt. However, the candidate forfeits their fees if withdrawing after the 14 days withdrawal policy.
Results Reporting
Candidates are notified of their results electronically, typically 6-8 weeks after the last component of the exam has been completed. Unsuccessful candidates also receive a Candidate Feedback Report after each failed attempt. In addition, they are encouraged to complete education or other remediation to address performance deficiencies.
Important Notes
The exam’s successful completion is only one requirement of provincial registration/licensure. Provincial regulatory bodies may also have individual time limits or requirements related to “currency” (time since graduation or past practice) for registration/licensure. Candidates are encouraged to verify all registration requirements in the jurisdiction where they intend to register and practice.
OEBC reserves the right to request additional proof as required to verify documentation.
Exam applications are subject to OEBC approval of eligibility. An application may be rejected if any application or eligibility requirement has not been met.
Approvals of eligibility do not replace the submission of an application for the exam, and the deadline for response to the offer of eligibility does not replace any OEBC policies, including application deadlines for the exam, available on our website.
After the Exam Cancellation Deadline, no refunds will be provided. However, a candidate may choose to defer their attempt to a future administration up to 45 days before the exam.
All inquiries with OEBC regarding requests for eligibility must be via email. Telephone inquiries will not be accepted.