GOC regulations & standards

R1.1.1 Professional practice – regulation

Registrants must make the care of patients their first and overriding concern and practise in accordance with the law and the General Optical Council (GOC) Standards of Practice relevant to their scope of practice and role.¹ ²

Registrants must meet the GOC Continuing Professional Development (CPD) requirements applicable to their registration status and maintain their knowledge and skills to ensure they practise safely, effectively and within their competence.¹

Registrants should regularly monitor, reflect on and improve the quality of their practice through appropriate quality-assurance activities, including audit, appraisal, review and peer feedback, and take action where improvement is identified.¹

References – R1.1.1

1. General Optical Council (2025). Standards of Practice for Optometrists and Dispensing Opticians.

2. Opticians Act 1989, Part V.

R1.2.1 Professional practice – communicating with patients

Registrants must communicate with patients in a way they can understand and remain alert to verbal and non-verbal cues that may indicate a lack of understanding, discomfort or consent.¹

Registrants must identify themselves to patients, provide their name, explain who is responsible for the patient’s care, and ensure patients have an opportunity to ask questions or change their mind before proceeding.¹

Registrants must listen to patients and take account of their views, preferences and concerns, responding honestly and appropriately to questions, and respecting patients’ dignity, privacy and right to confidentiality.¹ ²

Registrants should provide patients with the information necessary to correctly use, care for and manage any optical appliances, medicines or other treatments supplied or recommended as part of their care.¹

Registrants should offer appropriate advice on the impact of lifestyle and life choices on eye health and wellbeing, supporting patients to care for themselves where relevant, and ensure that advice is clearly documented in the patient record.²

Registrants should identify patients with communication or language needs, including those relating to learning disability, sensory loss or other impairment, and make reasonable adjustments where practical to ensure information is provided in a format the patient can understand.³

Registrants should provide patient information and correspondence in accessible formats, such as large print, email, text or alternative formats, in line with the NHS Accessible Information Standard.⁴

Registrants must only use the protected title Dispensing Optician if registered with the General Optical Council, and may only use the post-nominal FBDO if they are a current member of the Association of British Dispensing Opticians.

Registrants must provide patients with clear, accurate and transparent pricing information before the patient agrees to payment. This must include a clear breakdown of costs for professional services, optical appliances and any supplied products, including spectacle lenses, frames, coatings and tints.⁶ 7

References – R1.2.1
1. General Optical Council (2025). Standards of Practice for Optometrists and Dispensing Opticians – Section 2 (Communication).

2. General Optical Council (2025). Standards of Practice for Optometrists and Dispensing Opticians – Section 1 (Professional conduct).
3. Opticians Act 1989, Part IV, Section 28.
4. NHS England. Accessible Information Standard.
5. FODO. NHS Accessible Information Standard guidance.
6. Consumer Protection from Unfair Trading Regulations 2008 (SI 1277).
7. Price Marking Order 2004 (SI 102).

R1.4.1 Professional practice – safeguarding and patient safety

Registrants must be aware of and comply with relevant legal and professional obligations relating to the safeguarding of children, young people and vulnerable adults [1][2][3][4].

Registrants must be alert to signs of abuse, neglect, exploitation or denial of rights and take appropriate and timely action where safeguarding concerns are identified, including following local safeguarding procedures and making referrals where necessary [1][2][4].

Registrants should complete safeguarding training appropriate to their role and level of responsibility and undertake regular refresher training to maintain competence. Completion of safeguarding training to Level 2, with refresher training equivalent to a minimum of 3–4 hours at least every three years, is recommended for optometrists, contact lens opticians and dispensing opticians [5].

Registrants must raise concerns about patient or public safety, including concerns about a colleague’s fitness to practise where this may be affected by health, character or behaviour. Raising concerns (sometimes referred to as speaking up or whistleblowing) is a professional duty and is protected by law [1][6].

Registrants must keep clear, accurate and contemporaneous records of safeguarding concerns raised and any actions taken, in accordance with professional, legal and information-governance requirements [1][7].

Registrants must respect patient confidentiality at all times and ensure that any disclosure of confidential information is lawful, proportionate and justified, including where disclosure is necessary in the public interest or to protect patients or others from harm [1][7][8].

Registrants should document and review adverse incidents, including clinical errors, equipment failures, accidents or injuries on the premises, data breaches, unsafe staffing or working conditions, and communication failures that pose a risk to patient safety, in order to support learning and service improvement [1][9].

Registrants should also record near-miss or no-harm incidents to promote reflection, shared learning and continuous improvement in patient safety [9].

R1.4.2 Raising concerns and disclosing confidential information

Registrants should be familiar with the General Optical Council’s guidance on raising concerns and understand when and how confidential information may be disclosed in the public interest or to protect patients or others from harm, ensuring that disclosures are necessary, proportionate and appropriately documented [1][6][7][8].

References R1.4
[1] General Optical Council. Standards of Practice for Optical Professionals
– Duties relating to patient safety, safeguarding, raising concerns, record keeping, confidentiality.
[2] Children Act 1989
– Statutory framework for protection and welfare of children.
[3] Children Act 2004
– Duty on organisations and professionals to safeguard and promote the welfare of children.
[4] Care Act 2014
– Safeguarding duties relating to adults at risk.
[5] NHS England. Safeguarding Children and Adults: Roles and Competencies for Healthcare Staff
– Recommends Level 2 training for most clinical primary care professionals with 3-year refresh.
[6] Public Interest Disclosure Act 1998
– Legal protections for workers who raise concerns/whistleblow.
[7] UK General Data Protection Regulation & Data Protection Act 2018
– Lawful processing and disclosure of confidential personal information.
[8] Common law duty of confidentiality (public interest disclosure principles).
[9] NHS Patient Safety Strategy / incident reporting and learning systems guidance
– Recording adverse events and near misses to support learning and improvement.

CPD

ABDO safeguarding CPD link.

R.1.5.1 Professional practice – registration and professional titles

Registrants must be registered with the General Optical Council (GOC) in order to practise as a dispensing optician and must maintain their registration in accordance with GOC requirements at all times [1][2].

Registrants must only use the protected title Dispensing Optician if they are appropriately registered with the GOC. Use of a protected title, or holding oneself out as registered, without appropriate registration is unlawful [2].

Registrants may only use the post-nominal FBDO if they are a current member of the Association of British Dispensing Opticians (ABDO) and entitled to use this designation under ABDO membership rules [3].

R1.5.2 Registration, enrolment and scope of practice

Registration with the GOC is essential in order to practise at full scope as a dispensing optician [1][2].

The GOC maintains statutory registers for registered dispensing opticians and for individuals undertaking approved education and training towards registration. These include student or trainee enrolment routes recognised by the GOC [2].

Only individuals who are appropriately registered or enrolled with the GOC may practise or train within the scope permitted by their registration or enrolment status. Individuals must not work beyond the limits of their competence, training, or legal authority [1][2].

Registrants must comply with all GOC requirements relating to continuing professional development (CPD), indemnity arrangements and fitness to practise as conditions of remaining on the register [1].

R1.5.3 Raising concerns about registration or practice

Registrants should be familiar with the General Optical Council’s guidance on raising concerns about an optical professional, including concerns relating to registration status, fitness to practise, unsafe practice, or misuse of protected titles, and should report concerns where patient or public safety may be at risk [1][4].

References – R1.5
[1] General Optical Council. Standards of Practice for Optical Professionals
– Requirements to maintain registration, practise within competence, CPD, indemnity, raising concerns.
[2] Opticians Act 1989
– Establishes the GOC registers; restricts use of protected titles (e.g., Dispensing Optician); makes misuse or false representation unlawful; sets statutory basis for registration and enrolment.
[3] Association of British Dispensing Opticians. Membership regulations and use of post-nominals (FBDO)
– Entitlement to use ABDO designations subject to current membership.
[4] General Optical Council. Guidance on raising concerns / fitness to practise processes
– How and when to report concerns about registrants or misuse of titles.

R.1.6.1 Professional practice – maintaining skills and competence

Registrants must recognise and work within the limits of their knowledge, skills and competence, seeking advice or guidance, or referring patients appropriately where necessary to ensure safe and effective care [1].

Registrants who wish to practise in specialised or extended areas must ensure they have the appropriate knowledge, skills and competence to do so, including obtaining relevant education, training, supervised experience or specialist qualifications where available [1][2].

Registrants must maintain and develop their professional competence throughout their careers in order to practise safely, effectively and in the best interests of patients and the public [1][2].

Registrants must engage with continuing professional development (CPD) in line with GOC requirements and reflect on their learning to support ongoing improvement in practice, demonstrating how their CPD maintains and enhances safe patient care [1][3].

Registrants must take appropriate steps to address any gaps in competence that may arise due to changes in scope of practice, new technologies, time away from practice, or evolving clinical standards [1][3].

References – R1.6.1

[1] General Optical Council. Standards of Practice for Optical Professionals
– Duties to work within competence, maintain knowledge and skills, keep professional knowledge up to date, refer appropriately, and practise safely.
[2] Opticians Act 1989
– Statutory framework for registration and fitness to practise; impairment of competence may engage fitness to practise processes.
[3] General Optical Council. Continuing Professional Development (CPD) Scheme Requirements / CPD guidance for registrants
– Mandatory CPD participation, reflective practice, minimum points/hours, and requirements to maintain competence across the scope of practice.

R1.7.1 Statutory restrictions on dispensing of optical appliances

Statutory regulation restricts the dispensing and sale of optical appliances to certain patient groups. Under the Opticians Act 1989, unregistered persons must not sell or supply spectacles to children under 16 years of age, or to patients who are registered as severely sight impaired or sight impaired (blind or partially sighted) [1].

Sales or supply of spectacles to patients within these groups may only be carried out by, or under the supervision of, a registered practitioner in accordance with the Act [1].

Registrants must ensure that dispensing arrangements comply with the supervision requirements set out in the Act and that appropriate clinical oversight is provided to safeguard patients [1][3].

R1.7.2 Restrictions on dispensing by unregistered persons

Additional statutory restrictions apply to the sale and supply of optical appliances by unregistered persons under the Sale of Optical Appliances Order 1984 [2].

These restrictions include requirements relating to the validity of prescriptions, including that spectacle prescriptions must generally be less than two years old at the point of supply, unless an exemption applies or the supply falls within a permitted category [2].

Registrants should ensure that prescriptions are valid, current and clinically appropriate before dispensing or supervising the supply of optical appliances [1][2].

R1.7.3 Access to statutory and regulatory guidance

Registrants should ensure they are familiar with the relevant statutory provisions and associated guidance issued by the General Optical Council relating to the sale and dispensing of optical appliances and the responsibilities of registered and unregistered persons [3].

Registrants should seek advice where there is uncertainty regarding supervision arrangements, prescription validity or legal responsibilities under the legislation [3].

References – R1.7

[1] Opticians Act 1989
– Statutory restrictions on the sale and supply of spectacles to children and registered blind/partially sighted persons; supervision requirements; protected functions of registered practitioners.
[2] Sale of Optical Appliances Order 1984
– Conditions for sale/supply of optical appliances by unregistered persons, including prescription validity requirements and exemptions.
[3] General Optical Council. Standards of Practice for Optical Professionals and associated guidance on supervision, legal compliance and dispensing responsibilities.

R1.8.1 Professional regulation and accountability

The professional activities of registered dispensing opticians are subject to statutory regulation and oversight through multiple mechanisms, including approved education and training, compliance with professional standards and guidance, statutory fitness to practise procedures, and the application of criminal and civil law [1][2].

Registrants are personally accountable for their professional conduct, competence and fitness to practise and must ensure that their behaviour, clinical practice and decision-making meet required professional and legal standards at all times [1].

Registrants must cooperate with regulatory, legal or professional processes where required, including providing information, engaging with investigations and complying with outcomes or conditions imposed by the regulator [1][2].

Failure to meet professional or legal obligations may result in regulatory action, including investigation under fitness to practise procedures, as well as potential civil or criminal liability [1][2].

R1.8.2 Supervision and responsibility for restricted functions

Where restricted or regulated functions are carried out under supervision, clear policies and procedures must be in place to identify, on a daily basis, the registered professional responsible for providing supervision [1][2].

These policies must ensure that the supervising registrant is able, in practice, to exercise effective oversight, provide appropriate direction and intervention where necessary, and accept professional responsibility for the activity being undertaken [1].

Supervision arrangements must be proportionate to the complexity and risk of the task and must not be nominal or remote where this would compromise patient safety [1].

References – R1.8

[1] General Optical Council. Standards of Practice for Optical Professionals
– Accountability, professional behaviour, cooperation with the regulator, supervision responsibilities, patient safety and quality of care.
[2] Opticians Act 1989
– Establishes statutory regulation of optical professionals, protected titles, registers, fitness to practise powers, and legal responsibilities relating to practice and supervision.

R1.9.1 Misuse of protected titles

Under Section 28 of the Opticians Act 1989, it is a criminal offence for a person who is not appropriately registered to use a protected optical title, including dispensing optician, registered optician, enrolled optician or optician, or otherwise to hold themselves out as registered [1].

Use of the term optician without a qualifying description may provide a defence only where, in the circumstances of its use, it would be unreasonable for members of the public to believe that the individual was registered [1].

R1.9.2 Testing sight and prescribing

Under Section 24 of the Opticians Act 1989, it is a criminal offence for a registered dispensing optician to test the sight of another person with intent to prescribe an optical appliance [1].

This restriction does not prevent registered dispensing opticians from using appropriate techniques to check the fit, comfort or performance of contact lenses, low vision aids or other optical appliances supplied within their lawful scope of practice. Such activity does not constitute “testing sight” within the meaning of the Act where it is undertaken for fitting, assessment or performance-check purposes rather than prescribing [1][3].

R1.9.3 Fitting of contact lenses

Under Section 25 of the Opticians Act 1989, it is a criminal offence for any person who is not appropriately qualified and registered to fit contact lenses, except in limited and defined circumstances [1].

Permitted exceptions include medical students and optician trainees (optometrists or dispensing opticians) undertaking approved education or pre-registration training. In such cases, contact lens fitting must be carried out solely for the purpose of gaining practical experience and under the supervision of an appropriately registered medical practitioner, optometrist or contact lens optician [1].

Where training requirements or examination limits are not met, contact lens fitting must not continue [1].

R1.9.4 Sale of optical appliances

Under Section 27 of the Opticians Act 1989, it is a criminal offence to sell or supply optical appliances designed to correct a defect of sight unless the sale is lawfully permitted [1].

Sales are permitted only where they are:
– carried out by, or under the supervision of, a registered medical practitioner, optometrist or registered dispensing optician; or
– exempt under the Act or associated secondary legislation, including permitted presbyopic sales and exemptions set out in the Sale of Optical Appliances Order 1984 [1][2].

Exemptions do not apply where the purchaser is under 16 years of age, is registered as sight impaired or severely sight impaired, or where the appliance is a contact lens or low vision aid, unless specific statutory conditions are met [1][2].

R1.9.5 Practising while not registered

Where a dispensing optician’s registration is suspended, removed or has lapsed, including due to non-payment of GOC fees or as the result of a fitness to practise outcome, it is a criminal offence to practise, or to hold oneself out as registered, during the period of suspension or removal from the register [1].

R1.9.6 Other criminal offences

Registrants should be aware that general criminal law applies to their professional and personal conduct. Serious criminal offences, including dishonesty offences such as theft or fraud, may result in criminal prosecution and may also engage fitness to practise proceedings before the General Optical Council [3].

References – R1.9

[1] Opticians Act 1989
– Sections 24, 25, 27 and 28: restrictions on testing sight, fitting contact lenses, sale/supply of optical appliances, and misuse of protected titles; offences relating to unlawful practice and false representation.
[2] Sale of Optical Appliances Order 1984
– Statutory exemptions and conditions for lawful sale/supply of certain optical appliances.
[3] General Optical Council. Standards of Practice for Optical Professionals and Fitness to Practise guidance – Professional accountability, lawful practice, and consequences of criminal convictions.

R1.10.1 Professional practice – fitness to practise proceedings

A registered dispensing optician who becomes subject to General Optical Council (GOC) fitness to practise procedures should seek appropriate professional advice at an early stage. Support, guidance and access to legal protection and professional indemnity cover may be available through membership of the Association of British Dispensing Opticians (ABDO) [1][3].

Registrants must cooperate with the GOC and comply with any reasonable requests for information or engagement during fitness to practise investigations or proceedings [1].

R1.10.2 Investigation of concerns

The General Optical Council considers concerns raised about registrants through its statutory fitness to practise process [1][2].

Allegations are initially considered by the GOC’s Investigation Committee, which determines whether a case should be:
– referred to the Fitness to Practise Committee,
– referred to the Optical Consumer Complaints Service (OCCS), or
– closed with no further action [1][2].

R1.10.3 Fitness to Practise Committee

The Fitness to Practise Committee is independent of the General Optical Council’s governing body. It considers evidence and adjudicates on allegations referred by the Investigation Committee [1][2].

Hearings are normally held in public, except in limited circumstances. Where fitness to practise is found to be impaired, the Committee’s powers include imposing conditions on registration, suspension from the register, or removal (erasure) from the register [1][2].

R1.10.4 Sanctions and financial penalties

In appropriate cases, the Fitness to Practise Committee may also impose a financial penalty, either in addition to or instead of other sanctions, up to the statutory maximum [2].

In reaching its decisions, the Committee may take account of relevant professional standards and guidance, including ABDO advice and guidelines where appropriate [1][3].

R1.10.5 Warnings and performance concerns

Where the Investigation Committee or Fitness to Practise Committee determines that a registrant’s fitness to practise is not impaired, a warning may nevertheless be issued in relation to conduct or performance [1][2].

In such cases, matters may be referred to ABDO for professional advice, support or performance development processes. Overall responsibility for statutory fitness to practise remains with the General Optical Council [1][3].

References – R1.10

[1] General Optical Council. Standards of Practice for Optical Professionals and Fitness to Practise guidance
– Duties to cooperate with the regulator; regulatory processes; sanctions; warnings; professional expectations.
[2] Opticians Act 1989
– Statutory fitness to practise framework, Investigation and Fitness to Practise Committees, powers to impose conditions, suspension, erasure and financial penalties.
[3] Association of British Dispensing Opticians. Membership benefits, professional support and indemnity arrangements
– Access to advice, representation and professional support for members involved in regulatory proceedings.