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Continuing Competence Program

COA website_Canadian-Regulatory-Guide

Program Guidelines

The COA Continuing Competence Program (CCP) is a mandatory program designed to ensure registered opticians maintain the necessary skills and knowledge to provide safe and effective eye care. The CCP requires registered opticians to assess their current competencies and create individualized plans to address any learning gaps. 

  • Assess Your Knowledge

    Multiple-choice questions based on the national competencies for opticians

  • Set Your Learning Goals

    Learning plans designed to address areas for improvement

  • Complete Your Activities

    A variety of recognized activities to help meet your learning goals

  • Mark Your Goals 'Complete!'

    Three-year cycle to asses, plan, and learn

2023-26 CCP Cycle 

You can access the CCP by logging into the COA portal. To begin the cycle, follow the steps below. https://coa.alinityapp.com/client/

Step 1: Take the Online Assessments

These multiple-choice questions about the national competencies for opticians will help you pinpoint areas in your skills and knowledge that could use improvement. The assessments are not graded tests, they are tools to help you focus your learning.

Step 2: Build Six Learning Plans

Your learning plans should address areas the assessments flag as needing improvement. Choose from a list of courses already assigned to the competencies or create a custom plan that includes relevant volunteerism, self-directed study, group projects, and more. The online tools will help you with guided questions and drop-down menus to customize your learning plans.

Learning plans are pro-rated for new registrants:

  • If you became licensed  as a Registered Optician before July 1, 2024, you are required to complete six learning plans. 
  • If you became licensed as a Registered Optician between July 1, 2024 and June 30, 2025, you are required to complete four learning plans. 
  • If you became licensed  as a Registered Optician between July 1, 2025 and June 30, 2026, you are required to complete 2 learning plans. 

Step 3: Work on Your Learning Activities

After you build your learning plans, start completing the educational activities you have identified to meet your learning goals. Set yourself deadlines to help you stay on track. Alternatively, you can also complete activities that align with your targeted areas of competency (at your own discretion), and then tie them in with your personal learning goals.

Step 4: Mark Your Learning Plans as Complete

When you complete the educational activities and guided self-reflection for a learning plan, you can mark it as complete. You must mark all of your learning plans as complete before the end of your 3-year program cycle.

Resources

CCP Information Guide
CCP Frequently Asked Questions
CCP Sample Learning Plan #1
CCP Sample Learning Plan #2
CCP Sample Learning Plan #3

Please contact us at 780-429-2694 or info@albertaopticians.ca if you require assistance, need to request accommodations, or have questions about the previous (2020-23) CCP cycle.