As a Registered Optician in Nova Scotia, each year you are required to renew your Certificate of Registration on or before March 31st. 

Renew Your License using the Registrant Portal

The renewal section of the registrant portal opens on March 1st. of every year. An email is sent to remind registrants it is time to renew by signing into the portal. If necessary you can reset your password with the reset password feature.

When you begin the renewal process please ensure you have the items listed below ready :

Proof of Insurance - You are required to provide proof of your Professional Liability Insurance in the amount of at least $1,000,000. to the College as part of your renewal. To ensure your renewal can be approved right away, please have a copy of your insurance certificate available for upload.

Proof of Employment - Proof of employment must be completed as part of the renewal application. Please ensure all employment information is complete and accurate.

Continuing Education Credits - Digital confirmation of completed credits can be uploaded to your profile at any time.

• Dispensing Opticians require eight (8) credits to renew.
• Dispensing Opticians and Contact Lens Fitters require ten (10.0) credits to renew.
• Credits taken in March may be counted toward the renewal for the following year. We no longer receive continuing education credit information from instructors or other organizations, confirmation of your CEC credits can be uploaded when renewing online.
• Detailed Professional Development Guidelines

Online Application

If you are not renewing online

The above requirements can be submitted via email or using Canada Post along with a completed Application for Renewal and a cheque or money made payable to NSCDO for the appropriate fee. You can also make payment by credit card by providing your information and authorizing NSCDO to charge your credit card with a credit card authorization form. With this authorization a payment request can be emailed to you with a secure link to complete credit card payment.

Requirements can be sent to:

Nova Scotia College of Dispensing Opticians
Suite 342, Halifax Professional Centre
5991 Spring Garden Road
Halifax, NS   B3H 1Y6

Alternatively, requirements can be dropped off at the above address.

Renewal Deadline

The College is mandated to send suspension notices to all registrants who have not renewed by March 31st. To avoid late fees, to confirm there are no outstanding requirements, and to ensure you are eligible to practice for the upcoming year, please renew prior to March 31st. 

Renewal Outcomes

Not Renewing

If you have decided to not renew your Certificate of Registration, please notify the College of your decision. You will receive an acknowledgement email from the College. Your status on the public register will be changed.

Outstanding Requirements

If you complete your renewal but do not submit all required documents, or the documents require review by the Registration department, you will receive an email notifying you that your renewal is on hold pending the submission and/or review of the outstanding requirements.

Renewal Approved

If you meet all the requirements for approval, you will receive an email confirmation within 72 hours of the College receiving your renewal.  Your renewal sticker(s) will be mailed to you following the approval.

Confirmation of Payment Receipt and Official Tax Receipt

Upon making payment, your tax receipt will be available for download at the Member Portal within 72 hours of receipt of payment. To access your receipt, please login to the Member Portal, select the Documents tab, and the year in which you made your payment.