The following professions fall under The Exceptions Order in The Rehabilitation of Offenders Act 1974 (Exceptions order) 1975. Schedule 1, Articles 2(3), 3 and 4.
Excepted professions, offices, employments, work and occupations:
• Opthalmic Optician
• Dispensing Optician
As defined by: The Opticians Act 1989
Opthalmic and Dispensing Opticians
Ophthalmic Optician
As defined by: The Opticians Act 1989
"approved qualification" means a qualification approved by the Council under section 12 of the Act as suitable to be granted to ophthalmic opticians;
"approved training institution" means an institution approved by the Council under section 12 of the Act (as suitable for the training of ophthalmic opticians);
"the Council" means the General Optical Council; and
"ophthalmic optician" and "registered ophthalmic optician" have the meanings given them in section 36 of the Act.
Dispensing Optician
The majority of new entrants to the ophthalmic dispensing register have trained in the United Kingdom.
UK courses of study achieve the core curriculum and core competencies recommended by the GOC. In order to qualify for registration a person must:
Successfully complete a three-year course of study at a GOC approved training institution.
There are three modes of study to choose from:
i a two-year full-time course at a training institution approved by the GOC followed by one year working in practice under supervision (salaried); or
ii a three-year day release with a training institution approved by the GOC, combined with suitable employment;
or
iii a three year correspondence course offered by a training institution approved by the GOC combined with suitable employment.
A pass in the Professional Qualifying Examinations (both Part 1 and Finals). The Association of British Dispensing Opticians administers these examinations.
