Registration and Renewal
Annual Renewal
All COA registrants must complete their renewal online through their
My COA Portal to be able to practice for the following year. Log in to your profile using the username and password provided to you by the COA and complete the step-by-step renewal process.
If you have any questions or require support with your online renewal, please contact us at 780-429-2694 or info@albertaopticians.ca.
Renewal Period
Registration opens October 1 and closes on December 31 of each year. Registrants who renew between December 1 – December 31 may be subject to a late penalty. Registrants who renew after December 31st are subject to reinstatement fees.
Registrants that do not renew their license will be cancelled. For information on reinstatement click here.
Once you have applied, met the registration requirements and paid your fees, your license to practice will be in valid until the next renewal year. Online renewal reminders are sent monthly starting in September of each year and are posted on the COA’s communication channels, including the website, social media, and newsletter.
Renewal Requirements
Registrants must be in good standing and have completed all renewal requirements.
These include:
- Continuing competence requirements
- Professional Liability Insurance
- Declarations of good character
- Registrants who have not yet completed the assigned jurisprudence modules and/or mandatory protecting patients against sexual abuse and misconduct module will be notified at the time of renewal and will be required to complete these outstanding requirements before proceeding.
Non-Practicing Status
Registrants who are not practicing or are taking an extended leave from work may apply for non-practicing status. Registrants who apply for this status cannot practice as an optician, or use the title Registered Optician in any capacity, including performing duties restricted to licensed opticians under legislation.
Registrants planning to change to non-practicing status during the renewal period must advise the COA of their transition via email or phone. The COA does not offer refunds for payment of practicing fees.
Non-practicing registrants must still complete mandatory Continuing Competence Program requirements.
To update your registration to non-practicing, login to the COA portal here.