The Opticians of Manitoba (OOM) believe that Opticians have a professional responsibility to demonstrate that they are engaged in lifelong learning and maintaining their competence.

To ensure current knowledge, all members, including inactive members, must earn a minimum number of Maintenance of Competency (MOC) credits in a 3-year cycle. To earn credits, you must participate in MOC activities such as:

• Perform vision screening at an Elementary School
• Supervise eyeglass fittings
• Complete a First Aid course
• Attend the OOM Annual General Meeting (AGM)
• Attend a lecture
• Complete an online course

The OOM is mandated by the Province of Manitoba Opticians Act to: 

• develop, establish and maintain standards of academic or technical achievement and qualification required for registration as a member and monitor compliance with and enforce those standards;
• develop, establish and maintain a maintenance of competency program to maintain the competence of its members, promote high standards of knowledge and skill and to enhance the practice of Opticianry through a program that may provide for, but is not limited to:
  • reviewing the professional competence of members,
  • requiring members to participate in programs intended to ensure competence,
  • conducting practice audits.
  • promote the ability of members to respond to changes in practice environments, advances in technology and other emerging issues.

In keeping with OOM bylaws and the Province of Manitoba Opticians’ Act: 

• all members are required to acquire a minimum number of credits of MOC education on an annual basis and in every three year cycle, in order to maintain their License to Practice,
• members can begin to accumulate MOC credits as soon as they become Licensed in Manitoba and it is the responsibility of each member to ensure they are in compliance with MOC requirements,
• inactive members must continue to maintain all MOC requirements,

This policy applies to all Licensed Opticians and Contact Lens Licensed Opticians in Manitoba.

Please review the current Maintenance of Competency Policy and Handbook: