Introduction to the General Optical Council

About the General Optical Council

We are the regulator for the optical professions in the UK. We currently register around 33,000 optometrists, dispensing opticians, student optometrists and dispensing opticians, and optical businesses.

We have four core functions:

• Setting standards for the performance and conduct of our registrants.
• 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.
• Investigating and acting where registrants’ fitness to practise, train or carry on business may be impaired.

What are the registers?

We hold registers for optometrists, dispensing opticians, student optometrists and dispensing opticians, specialty practitioners and bodies corporate conducting business in optometry or dispensing optics in the UK.

All individuals and businesses registered with us are known as our registrants.

You can search our registers for a registered individual (optometrist, dispensing optician or student) or businesses.