History

DOBNL Prior to 1982, there was no governing legislation for persons working in optical dispensing. Active practitioners during that time learned through their peers employed by optical retail outlets, or apprenticed while working with dispensing Optometrists.

In 1976, some of these practitioners formed a professional association: Newfoundland Guild of Dispensing Opticians [NGDO] with intent to lobby NL government to have Optician profession designated as a regulated health care profession. The association successfully lobbied the Department of Health to enact legislation regulating the activities of Dispensing Opticians.

On May 15, 1982 Dispensing Opticians ACT came into effect. 5 Opticians and 2 public members were appointed to be directors of the Board. All persons who were active in the profession as of May 15th, 1982 were obliged to be registered and licensed to practice… any person wanting to enter the profession were obliged to take optician related training either through distance delivery or through established institutions who offered Optician training. The Canadian Guild Dispensing Opticians (CGDO) (established 1954) offered Distance Delivery courses through the provincial associations, including the Newfoundland Guild of Dispensing Opticians (NGDO). Established institutions such as Seneca College, Georgian College continued offering Optical training programs. The DOBNL offered licensing exams to these graduates.

During the latter part of 1980s, the Canadian Guild of Dispensing Opticians had become financially unviable and ceased to exist. As their membership renewals stagnated, provincial associations were gaining members. Courses were continued to be sourced through the education office of the CGDO by provincial associations. Proactive Opticians involved in their provincial associations across Canada were wanting to form a replacement for the Canadian Guild. Early 1990’s the Opticians Association of Canada [OAC] was formed… with each province having a seat/vote. It was through the OAC, that a distance delivery Optical Program was sourced through Northern Alberta Institute of Technology [NAIT]. Most provinces including NL, offered the direct delivery of programs, ordered text books, received and sent assignments, arranged testing sites and maintained student records related to the OAC/NAIT program.

The Dispensing Opticians Board has the responsibility of providing licensing examinations as do other provincial boards. These exams were developed, supervised, corrected and maintained by these Directors. During the mid 1990’s, community colleges offered an array of upgrading education programs for those displaced by fishery moratorium. West Viking College, Stephenville offered a 2 year Opticians program. With 2 programs being offered, influx of new Opticians was well timed [The ‘Guild’ offered and administered the distance delivery and eventually the on-line Optical training programs; promoted the profession, ordered and delivered course material, collected assignments, arranged locations for midterm/final exams, held workshops, and provided students with education tax receipt/education fees.]

In the mid 1990’s, provincial regulatory colleges/boards were invited to participate in discussions facing the future of the profession with representatives from provincial associations. Also, during this time, the federal government wanted to eliminate discrimination of credentials for same work when moving to another province; increasing the ease of workers transferring to other areas of the country, Agreement of Internal Trade [AIT] was mandated. Provincial regulatory bodies were directed to get reciprocity agreements between themselves to enable ease of transfer of licenses/certificates required to obtain employment elsewhere in Canada.

Nine provinces collectively developed and were signatories to a Mutual Recognition Agreement [MRA]. These regulatory boards eventually formed what is now known as National Alliance of Canadian Optician Regulators: NACOR. Following that, a national licensing examination was developed ensuring applicants the same ‘entry level’ exams in participating provinces. Provinces sent experts in their field to be part of the National Exam Committee who developed a ‘library’ of test questions to be used in these NACOR exams. Most provinces used the NACOR exams as licensing exams. Jumping decades later, these NACOR exams are offered to graduates of accredited Canadian programs, and to variety of applicants to the profession. Foreign trained, non-institutional training, non-accredited training, even optometry trained persons have an opportunity to become registered and licensed in a Canadian province of their choosing.

Prior to 2005, Directors to the Board were appointed by the Minister of Health; after which Legislation was changed to have the Opticians vote for 5 peer Opticians to serve on the Board as Directors. These Directors have a 3-year term, and can serve consecutively for 9 years. Each year there is a nomination and election for Director(s) to the Board during the Annual General Meeting. The Minister of Health also appoints 2 public members to serve on the Board. Also, the Board appoints 5 peer Opticians and with 2 public members who were appointed by Minister of Health for Disciplinary Panel. The Board provides an annual report to Minister of Health.

Many Opticians have been elected to serve as Directors and members since 2005; their service is much appreciated.