GOC lifetime registration consultation reminder

The General Optical Council (GOC) is reminding registrants and stakeholders that the closing date for its consultation on the introduction of lifetime registration numbers is 30 September.

Launched on 19 August, the consultation proposes to introduce lifetime registration numbers for the following registrant groups:

• New registrants joining the register as students
• New registrants joining the qualified register as optometrists or dispensing opticians, having successfully applied via the non-UK registration process
• New registrants joining the register as corporate bodies
• Registrants joining the qualified register having previously been student registrants
• Individual who restore to the register, e.g. after a career break or after being removed from the register for failure to meet the GOC’s CET requirements
• Business registrants who restore to the register

“A lifetime registration number will allow us to deliver simpler and quicker digital services and enable registrants to do more tasks online and on their mobile,” said GOC interim director of registration, Nadia Patel.

“We hope you will share your views to help us understand any impacts this proposed policy may have. Your feedback is invaluable and will aid us in developing and finalising the policy.

For more information and to have your say, visit the GOC Consultation Hub. The consultation will close on 30 September 2020.