There are two ways to become an optician in Canada. You must have either graduated from an accredited Canadian optical program and passed the National Examination(s), or you must have completed a Prior Learning Assessment and Recognition (PLAR) process and passed the National Examination(s)
PLAR stands for Prior Learning Assessment and Recognition. PLAR includes a document review and an assessment of your current level of knowledge and skills.
Candidates who have formal training outside of Canada or have Canadian work experience will have their training evaluated to see if it is equivalent to the training of a recent graduate from an accredited optical program in Canada.
The purpose of PLAR is to evaluate your current level of knowledge and skills to see if they are equivalent to a recent graduate from a Canadian optical program.
Anyone that has not graduated from an accredited Canadian optical program must complete PLAR to become licensed as an optician.
Visit the NACOR website at https://nacor.ca/how-to-become-an-optician/ for complete information on PLAR, including an application form.