We are the regulator for the optical professions in the UK

We protect the public by setting standards for education, training, performance and conduct amongst opticians in the UK

Find out more about the GOC

Search the register

You can use the opticians registers to search for an individual practitioner or a registered business.

Advanced search
GOC Reception

The General Optical Council is consulting on a new model of business regulation that would extend regulation to all businesses providing specified restricted functions.

Published at 10:23 on 23/10/2024

Latest updates

The GOC has decided to suspend Adeel Iqbal, a student dispensing optician based in Oldham, England, from its register for nine months.

Published on 18/11/2024

Dr Anne Wright CBE has been reappointed by the Privy Council as Chair of Council for a further four-year term. 

Published on 12/11/2024

The GOC has decided to erase Richard Carr, an optometrist based in North Shields, from its register.

Published on 05/11/2024

The University of Highlands and Islands BSc (Hons) Optometry qualification has been fully approved under the Accreditation and Quality Assurance Handbook: Routes to Registration in Optometry (2015). 

Published on 30/10/2024