International Optometric Bridging Program

www.optometry.uwaterloo.ca/iobp
Information collected from the above site for the benefit of Indian students of
B.Sc Optometry, if u need further information plz contact / email : +91 9440373070
Abdul Hameed <hameedmd@yahoo.com>

Process for the Optometric Credential Assessment

For Registration in Canada
There are four parts to the Optometric Credential Assessment:

1. Academic Qualification Assessment

2. Language fluency
3. Prior Learning Assessment
4. Bridging One or Bridging Two (or additional education)

1. Academic Qualification Assessment

The Academic Qualification Assessment evaluates your educational background to
determine if you have a similar education to that of a Canadian-educated optometrist. The
current educational requirements in Canada are completion of a minimum of 4 terms of
undergraduate science courses and 9 terms of optometric education. You will be asked to
submit documents pertaining to your undergraduate as well as your professional optometric
education. Once all of the documents are received, the assessment is usually completed in
6 weeks. This may take longer if we need to contact you for additional information. Once all
your documents have been received and assessed, you will be sent a letter with the results
of the assessment.
If your documents are favourably evaluated you may then continue on to Part 2:
Completion of a language fluency test.

2. Language Fluency
A standardized test of your language fluency must be completed if your first language
was not English. Currently the accepted tests are:
• Canadian Language Benchmark Placement Test (must have a minimum overall average
of 7.5 with no individual scores lower than 7.0) www.language.ca
• IELTS Academic, (minimum overall average of 7.5 with no individual scores lower than
7.0)

http://www.ielts.org/default.aspx.
• CanTest (minimum overall average of 4.5 with no individual scores lower than 4.0)
http://www.olbi.uottawa.ca/en/cantest.php

You must achieve the minimum scores in order to move forward to the Prior Learning
Assessment. (Please note the results of fluency tests are only valid for two years).
3. Prior Learning Assessment
The Prior Learning Assessment consists of two parts:
• A written test (multiple choice questions) of your current knowledge of the practice of
optometry. The written test is called the Indicator of Current Learning in Optometry (ICLO)
and is administered by Canadian Examiners in Optometry (CEO-ECO). This test is
structured based on the competencies expected of optometrists entering practice in
Canada. You are responsible for paying the fee for this test directly to CEO-ECO. Further
information about the ICLO may be found at www.ceo-eco.org. Results from the ICLO are
provided directly to the director of the International Optometric Bridging Program as well as
to you.
• A half day assessment of your optometric clinical skills. Your skills will be assessed in the
areas of: refraction, accommodation, binocular vision, ocular health, contact lenses and
ophthalmic appliances.

4. Bridging Programs
The results of the credential assessment and PLA will determine as to whether you qualify
for one of the two bridging programs listed below OR if the educational gap cannot be
addressed within the bridging programs.
• Bridging One – an eight week bridging program for those candidates deemed to have
minimal educational gaps
• Bridging Two – a one year comprehensive bridging program for those candidates deemed
to need a more comprehensive bridging program
• OR if knowledge and clinical skills are not sufficient no admission into either program.

Candidates in Bridging One or Bridging Two must successfully complete the program in order to
move forward.

1-Academic Qualification Assessment

The Academic Qualification Assessment evaluates your educational background to determine if you
have a similar education to that of a Canadian-educated optometrist. The current educational
requirements in Canada are completion of a minimum of 4 terms of undergraduate science courses
and 9 terms of optometric education. You will be asked to submit documents pertaining to your
undergraduate as well as your professional optometric education. Once all of the documents are
received, the assessment is usually completed in 6 weeks. This may take longer if we need to
contact you for additional information. Once all your documents have been received and assessed,
you will be sent a letter with the results of the assessment.

Part 1: Academic Qualification Assessment $300.00*

* Payable in Canadian funds by money order, international bank draft or a certified cheque
drawn on a Canadian bank made out to the University of Waterloo, School of Optometry.
This fee must be paid before your application will be processed. (A $100.00 non-refundable
deposit is included in the fee.)

What documents must be submitted for the Academic Qualification Assessment?

1. Application form: completed, dated and signed by you and your witness.
2. Birth certificate: you must submit a notarized copy of your birth certificate. The birth
certificate must include your date of birth and the names given to you at birth. If you have
changed your name, you must submit a notarized copy of your legal change of name
document.
3. Marriage certificate: a notarized copy of a marriage certificate, if your name was
changed by marriage.
4. Photograph: one passport sized photograph taken within the last six months, signed
and dated by you.
5. Passport information: a copy of your passport information sheet including your picture
and personal information.
6. Educational documents: a. Original or notarized diploma(s)/certificate(s) from high
school/secondary school
b. Original or notarized diploma or degree certificate(s) from any post-secondary or
university-level educational programs
c. Official transcripts/mark sheets including final grades.
These documents must be sent to the IOBP at the University of Waterloo School of
Optometry directly from the issuing institution. Documents not sent directly from the
issuing institution will not be accepted.
7. Other documents
a. Course descriptions/course syllabi/course catalogue or calendar (note: if the course
catalog for a year/program is different from the applicants education, it is important that a
letter is enclosed that includes a description of any differences from the available course
catalogue)
b. The number of classroom hours of study and laboratory/clinical hours of study, the hours
of supervised clinical practice and the areas of supervised clinical practice
c. Notarized copy or original of your optometric license or registration
d. If you are not currently practicing in your country of education, a letter from the regulatory
body stating that you are eligible to be licensed in the country of your education

8. Current résumé – to include work history of the past 5 years

9. Completed copy of the application checklist

Where do I send my documents?

• International Optometric Bridging Program

School of Optometry, University of Waterloo

200 University Avenue West
Waterloo, Ontario N2L 3G1
Canada
Susan Cooper, O.D. FAAO
Director, International Optometric Bridging Program
Who do I contact if I have any questions about the program or application process?
• Deb Nahlik

Administrative Coordinator, International Optometric Bridging Program

519-888-4567 Ext. 37882 (please call this number for inquiries or to book an appointment)
iobp@optometry.uwaterloo.ca

2-Language Fluency

A standardized test of your language fluency must be completed if your first language
was not English.

Currently the accepted tests are:

• Canadian Language Benchmark Placement Test (must have a minimum overall average
of 7.5 with no individual scores lower than 7.0) www.language.ca

• IELTS Academic, (minimum overall average of 7.5 with no individual scores lowers than
7.0)

http://www.ielts.org/default.aspx.

• CanTest (minimum overall average of 4.5 with no individual scores lower than 4.0)
http://www.olbi.uottawa.ca/en/cantest.php

You must achieve the minimum scores in order to move forward to the Prior Learning Assessment.
(Please note the results of fluency tests are only valid for two years).

Part 2: Language Fluency (CLBPT, IELTS, CanTest)

www.language.ca $50.00-$65.00*

http://www.ielts.org/default.aspx $245.00-$275.00*

http://www.olbi.uottawa.ca/en/cantest.php
Part 3: Prior Learning Assessment – PLA

The Prior Learning Assessment consists of two parts:

• A written test (multiple choice questions) of your current knowledge of the practice of
optometry. The written test is called the Indicator of Current Learning in Optometry (ICLO)
and is administered by Canadian Examiners in Optometry (CEO-ECO). This test is
structured based on the competencies expected of optometrists entering practice in
Canada. You are responsible for paying the fee for this test directly to CEO-ECO. Further
information about the ICLO may be found at www.ceo-eco.org. Results from the ICLO are
provided directly to the director of the International Optometric Bridging Program as well as
to you.

• A half day assessment of your optometric clinical skills. Your skills will be assessed in the
areas of: refraction, accommodation, binocular vision, ocular health, contact lenses and
ophthalmic appliances.

Prior Learning Assessment

Written exam payable to $850.00*
Canadian Examiners in Optometry, www.ceo-eco.org

Clinical Exam payable to

University of Waterloo, School of Optometry $500.00*
(upon confirmation of eligibility)

If assessed favourably applications MAY be accepted up to 2 weeks in advance based on

space availability. Please note a $100 late fee will apply.

The PLA will be offered twice a year at the School of Optometry at the University of
Waterloo,CANADA

The graduates from the U of W undergraduate Doctor of Optometry program have a

100% employment rate with a usual minimum starting salary of over $75,000 dollars. Due to
this fact, most students accepted into this program should be able to secure funding from
traditional lending sources.

Study material should be available through any medical or university library. Many of the
books may also be purchased in person or online through the University of Waterloo book
store http://www.bookstore.uwaterloo.ca/home.html

How can I study for the Prior Learning Assessment?

• A list of references can be found on the CEO website,
http://www.ceo-eco.org/pla_preparing.asp
Where can I get study material?
• Study material should be available through any medical or university library. Many of the
books may also be purchased in person or online through the University of Waterloo book
store
http://www.bookstore.uwaterloo.ca/home.html

How do I send my documents?

• Applications and documents may be sent by mail, courier service or delivered in person.
Faxed applications are not accepted. If you wish to know that your application and
documents were received, please send them by Registered Mail, Canada Express Post or a
courier service that gives you confirmation. You will receive a confirmation email from the
administrative coordinator once ALL documents have arrived.

Where do I send my documents?

• International Optometric Bridging Program

School of Optometry, University of Waterloo

200 University Avenue West
Waterloo, Ontario N2L 3G1
Canada
Susan Cooper, O.D. FAAO
Director, International Optometric Bridging Program
Who do I contact if I have any questions about the program or application process?
• Deb Nahlik

Administrative Coordinator, International Optometric Bridging Program

519-888-4567 Ext. 37882 (please call this number for inquiries or to book an appointment)
iobp@optometry.uwaterloo.ca
RECOMMENDED BOOKS FOR THE PLA OF CSAO

1. Visual Perception (Schwartz)

2. Will’s Eye Manual
3. Berkeley Guide
4. Optometry Examination Review (Casser, Linda) – 1000 Multiple
Choice Q’s
5. Biochemistry of the Eye (Whikehart)
6. Basic Concepts in Pharmacology: A Student’s Survival Guide
(Stringer, Janet)
Please Note: Many of these books are available in Medical Libraries,
you don’t need to go out and buy them all!
International Optometric Bridging Programs

Bridging One - 8 week program $5000.00*

Bridging Two – one year $30,000.00*

Why are Bridging One & Bridging Two so expensive?

• The courses are based on a cost recovery principle. The profession of optometry is
clinically based and this program requires a significant number of clinical instruction hours,
with a 2:1 student/faculty ratio. Clinical instruction is significantly more expensive to provide
than lectures.

What are the dates for the Bridging One Program?

• Dates are subject change. The Bridging One program will be offered up to twice per year.

What is my next step after successfully completing all steps in the Optometric
Credential Assessment?
• Once you have successfully completed the program including the exit exam, we will send
a confirmation letter to the provincial regulatory college of your choice. You may then apply
to write the CSAO exams

Part 4: Bridging Programs

The results of the credential assessment and PLA will determine as to whether you qualify
for one of the two bridging programs listed below OR if the educational gap cannot be
addressed within the bridging programs. Candidates in Bridging One or Bridging Two must
successfully complete the program in order to move forward

There are two bridging programs available to meet the needs of International Optometric
Graduates:

Bridging One and Bridging Two.

Both Bridging One and Bridging Two offer classroom lectures, clinical instruction and
externship rotations. The clinic teaching facility at the University is state of the art, offering
24 fully equipped examination rooms as well as a teaching area with direct video feed
allowing demonstration of clinical techniques to an entire class.

In addition, candidates in Bridging Two will have the opportunity to work in the patient clinic
at UWSO, a healthcare facility that operates as a clinic seeing members of the public who
are seeking optometric services. These services are provided under the supervision of an
optometrist registered in Ontario.
Bridging One – Eight Week Program

The short bridging program will provide 130 hours of lectures and clinical instruction over
the course of the program:

82 hours in the Classroom will include:

o case analysis and case presentation
o ocular therapeutics and disease review
o profession-specific language skills
o communication skills for optometric practice
o cultural expectations in professional practice in Ontario
o exam preparation (test-taking strategies, study skills, etc.)

48 hours of clinical instruction will include:

o instruction and workshops in various clinical techniques
o use of ophthalmic equipment that is standard in Ontario
o clinical instruction will be reinforced by the use of interactive CDs on various optometric
topics and procedures


Externship placement
o candidates in Bridging One will have the opportunity to take
advantage of an externship in professional practice. This consists of a four week rotation of
supervised patient care to expose the individual to Canadian optometric practices, instrumentation
and expectations.

Bridging Two
Bridging Two will be approximately 48 weeks long and will encompass approximately 22
weeks of lectures and clinical instruction and 26 weeks of practical experience as a clinical
extern. Candidates will alternate between classroom instruction and extern experience.
Canadian citizenship or permanent resident status must be established to participate
in this program.

Please refer to www.cic.gc.ca for more information.

The following is a tentative outline of the program:


3 weeks English Language Program:
o integrated language skills that are profession specific
o disease description
o written documentation
o collegial consultation
o academic reading strategies






15-16 weeks Lectures and clinical instruction in the following areas:
o learning strategies and exam-taking skills
o communication skills for optometric practice
o Canadian healthcare system jurisprudence
o ocular therapeutics and pharmacology
o ophthalmic and geometric optics
o ocular pathology/disease
o binocular vision
o problem-based case analysis and case management
o optometric procedures
o anatomy and physiology
o neurophysiology
o systemic disease
o contact lenses
o practice management
o low vision
o pediatrics
o interactive CD’s

4-5 weeks in School of Optometry Clinic:

o five weeks of specialty clinics in the areas of pediatrics, low vision, contact lenses,
binocular vision and geriatrics at the School of Optometry patient clinic.


7-8 week Primary Care Externship Rotation:
o 7 weeks of supervised primary care patient contact with practicing optometrists, providing
candidates with exposure to optometric private practice in Canada.

14 week Ocular Disease and Therapeutic Externship Rotation:
o 14 weeks of supervised patient care focusing on ocular therapeutics and disease o
provide students with the opportunity to observe the diagnosis, treatment and management
of ocular disease and ocular manifestations of systemic disease in an
optometric/ophthalmologic clinical setting

2-3 weeks Review and Examinations

o review and examinations throughout the program