Time
The time required for registration as an optometrist varies significantly depending on the circumstances and qualifications of the applicant. North American trained applicants may require as little as 3 months to complete the process of successfully passing the OEBC national optometry exam and being registered by MAO. International applicants will require a longer period - one to five years may be a realistic time range.
Approximate timelines involved in the specific components of the assessment and registration process include:
- approximately 2 months for credential assessment through FORAC;
- up to two years for successful completion of the IGOE Exam (fixed date exam; re-write may be required, two re-writes permitted);
- if required, up to three years for admission to the WOVS ASOPP-Advanced Standing program;
- if required, 2 years to complete the WOVS ASOPP-Advanced Standing program (fixed start dates);
- up to 6 months to apply and complete the OEBC national optometry exam (fixed date exam; re-writes may be required);
- 1-2 months for a registration decision from MAO after completed application has been submitted.
Financial Information
Total cost of the registration process also varies significantly depending on the circumstances and qualifications of the applicant.
Approximate costs are as follows:
- minimum of $5,520 for North American trained (ACOE) applicants (plus out-of-province travel to write OEBC exam); OR
- minimum of $13,130 for International applicants eligible to proceed directly from the IGOE Exam to the OEBC national optometry exam (plus out-of-province travel to write the IGOE Exam and OEBC Exam); OR
- minimum of $87,640 for International applicants accepted into the WOVS ASOPP-Advanced Standing program (plus the cost of travel, accommodation, etc. to attend the University of Waterloo and for travel to write the IGOE Exam and OEBC Exam).
Annual membership dues to be registered as an optometrist in Manitoba are $3,200 for full-time/$1,600 for part-time (2022).