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Discussion paper on our approach to setting registrant fees

The General Optical Council regulates eye care services in the UK. We currently register around 35,000 optometrists, dispensing opticians, student optometrists, student dispensing opticians and optical businesses. The groups on our register are called registrants.

We have four core functions:

  • setting standards for optical education and training, performance, and conduct;
  • approving qualifications leading to registration;
  • maintaining a register of individuals who are fit to practise or train as optometrists or dispensing opticians, and bodies corporate who are fit to carry on business as optometrists or dispensing opticians; and
  • investigating and acting where registrants’ fitness to practise, train or carry on business may be impaired.

For more information, please visit our website: https://www.optical.org/

9 weeks left

Phases

Phases overview

Consultation analysis

21 July 2026 23:00 - 31 October 2026 00:00

During this phase of the project, we will analyse the responses to the consultation and produce a report summarising the responses. Exact dates are to be confirmed.