Exam Registration

EXAM REGISTRATION POLICIES 

OEBC’s exam administration policies and procedures are established to allow for appropriate security, bilingual administration, and optimum efficiency of administration. All information about the exam including registration is available on this website. If you have reviewed this information and still have a question, please contact OEBC at exams@oebc.ca. 

All exam dates and deadlines are available at Dates, Deadlines & Location.  

Registering for the exam 

Registration for the OEBC Written exam and OSCE is completed through OEBC’s online portal. 

Registration for the Spring 2020 administration is scheduled to open on January 3 2020 12 pm ET. 

Click here for information and to submit your eligibility and registration requests  

Accommodations

Candidates who may require accommodation should refer to the Exam Accommodations policy for information about how to request an accommodation at the exam. 

Identification

To register for the exam, candidates MUST have the following (expired identification will not be accepted):

1. A passport-style colour photo, as follows:
   1. Photo size should be approximately 2 to 2.5 inches by 3 – 3.25 inches
   2. Taken within the past 6 months and a current likeness of you
   3. White or light-coloured background
   4. Facing the camera, straight-on
   5. Clear and in focus
   6. Neutral expression, no smiling
   7. No tinted glasses
2. A copy of your valid (unexpired) Canadian or foreign passport. You must submit a copy of the page(s) showing your name, photograph, signature, date of birth and passport expiry date.
3. A copy of one of the following, which must be valid (unexpired):
   1. Canadian or US citizenship certificate
   2. Canadian or US resident card
   3. Canadian or US Driver's license
   4. Birth Certificate PLUS one other piece of government issued identification with a photo (e.g. Canadian health card, military card)
4. Valid Visa or Mastercard credit card or debit card 

REMEMBER: Apply early and ensure that all information is accurate. 

Candidate Contact Information 

Contact information must be complete and accurate. This information is used for all OEBC - candidate correspondence. OEBC is not responsible for any miscommunication or inability to complete any aspect of the registration process including Eligibility Request verification as a result of a candidate not providing current and accurate information.

Change of Name

Change of name must be submitted in writing to OEBC at exams@oebc.ca no later than 30 days before the exam with complete details and necessary official documents supporting such changes. 

For change of family name due to marriage, OEBC requires:

• A notarized photocopy of your marriage certificate and a notarized photocopy of your current passport or government issued ID.

For change of name due to adding or removing part of your name, OEBC requires:

• A notarized photocopy of your change of name certificate and either a notarized photocopy of your current passport, government issued ID or birth certificate.

For change of family name, returning to your maiden name, OEBC requires:

• A notarized photocopy of your birth certificate and a notarized photocopy of your current passport.

Change of Address

Change of address must be submitted in writing to OEBC at exams@oebc.ca no later than 30 days prior to the estimated results reporting date.

Eligibility Rules

Eligibility is based on the Exam Eligibility and Retake Policy. Refer to this policy for detailed information about eligibility to attempt the exam. Reminders:

• Candidates who are graduating from an optometry degree program who forego the advance written option have an opportunity to take the (entire) exam in May of their graduating year.
• The only time a candidate may take the written exam and OSCE at two different administrations is when the written exam has been completed in advance.
• For 4^th-year and graduating students, exam eligibility is based on program completion information supplied by schools (i.e. ACOE-accredited optometry programs). OEBC-approval of a candidate’s eligibility request is based on this information.

Eligibility and Registration for each Exam

Individuals may register for only one exam administration (fall or spring) at a time. Registrations for one administration are not “held” or carried over to a subsequent administration.

Eligibility and registration requests must be submitted with each application. For example, candidates who register for the “early written” option in fall of their 4^th year must submit a new eligibility request and registration for the spring administration. Candidate eligibility is verified and approved before each exam administration. 

How your registration is processed 

Registrations from all eligible individuals are handled on a first received, first processed basis. 

There is NO extension of eligibility or registration deadline dates. The eligibility request deadline and the examination registration deadline will not be extended for any reason. OEBC is not responsible for processing delays which may occur due to missing, incomplete or inaccurate information and which may result in the candidate missing a deadline; OEBC is not responsible for late submissions, for technical difficulties or for any issues involving third party payors; such matters will not be a reason for appeal. 

A schedule indicating specific dates and times for the exam will be emailed to the candidate approximately six - eight weeks prior to the exam administration. 

OEBC will respond only to written inquiries and will not attempt to interpret exam policies and procedures for any candidate and his/her specific circumstances. OEBC staff strive to respond to inquiries in a timely manner but please keep in mind that during the exam application period, OEBC staff are processing applications and will take longer to respond to inquiries.