On January 1, 2022, the Alberta College and Association of Opticians (ACAO) became the College of Opticians of Alberta (COA) with the sole mandate to protect the Alberta public.

Bill 46 introduced by the Government of Alberta in December 2020 requires all dual mandate health colleges and associations to separate. Opticians in Alberta will continue to be licensed and regulated by the COA, but all association-specific activities will be discontinued.

The COA Council established an Association Development Steering Committee to explore the establishment of a new association in Alberta. The new Association of Opticians of Alberta (AOA) launched in 2022 and aims “to promote the interests of Opticians and offer member programs and services, such as professional liability insurance, home and auto insurance, and retirement benefits. Visit https://www.myaoa.ca/ to learn more.

Opticians also have the option to belong to the Opticians Association of Canada, which aims “to promote Licensed Opticians and the profession, to develop and maintain a professional standard of knowledge and proficiency in our occupational field, and to educate and inform vision care consumers about matters related to their eye health.” Visit https://www.opticians.ca/ to learn more.