International Optometric Bridging Program

IOBP

IOBP Logo

Are you an International Optometric Graduate looking to practice in Canada? Ontario Flag

The University of Waterloo in collaboration with the College of Optometrists of Ontario is pleased to offer the International Optometric Bridging Program (IOBP).

Designed to provide optometrists educated outside Canada and the United States with a structured orientation to Canadian standards of optometric practice, the program will provide all qualified applicants with opportunities to gain the critical language, academic and clinical skills necessary for registration in all provinces of Canada.

Once academic credentials have been assessed as acceptable, applicants will move forward to a language assessment and a prior learning assessment to ascertain their current knowledge in optometry.

From this, the applicants will enter either Bridging One; a six week orientation program, or Bridging Two; a year long structured academic program. This program is designed to prepare the applicants to move forward to the Canadian Standard Assessment in Optometry; the examinations necessary for registration to practice optometry in Canada.

Specific details are contained in the applicant information package.

On the rest of this page:

Minimum Requirements for the Bridging Programs

For candidates applying to the IOBP in 2008 to 2011

Candidates must:

  1. be currently licensed or registered to practice optometry outside Canada
  2. have successfully completed either:
    1. 2 years of university undergraduate courses prior to entering an optometry school and a 4 year optometry degree*,
      or
    2. a 4 year optometry degree* followed by 2 years of optometric work experience outside Canada

For candidates applying to the IOBP in 2012 and beyond

Candidates must:

  1. be currently licensed or registered to practice optometry outside Canada
  2. have successfully completed either:
    1. 3 years of university undergraduate courses prior to entering an optometry school and a 4 year optometry degree*,
      or
    2. a 4 year optometry degree* followed by 3 years of optometric work experience outside Canada

*For the purpose of this application, the following is accepted as equivalent to a 4 year optometry degree:

Program Dates

The next Prior Learning Assessment:

The next Bridging One Program:

The next Bridging Two Program:

Application Information Package

An Application Information Package is available detailing both the assessment process and the Bridging Programs. We ask only that you provide a name and e-mail address in order to download the form. The package is available in PDF form.

I.O.P.B. Application Request

We are very pleased to be of assistance to you throughout this process. For further information please don't hesitate to contact us by email at iobp@optometry.uwaterloo.ca.

IOBP Contact Information:

Director: Dr. Susan Cooper O.D.
Administrative Coordinator: Deb Nahlik

E-mail: iobp@optometry.uwaterloo.ca
Telephone: +1 519 888 4567, extension 37882
Hours: 08:00 - 16:00 UTC-5 (8:00 A.M. - 4:00 P.M. EST)
Fax: +1 519 725 0784
International Optometric Bridging Program
School of Optometry
University of Waterloo
Waterloo Ontario  N2L 3G1
CANADA

Program News

Canada Wide
The IOBP services and programs are now recognized in every province of Canada.

UW resources

Some Related Resources

Immigrant Employment Loan Program