General Optical Council

The General Optical Council (GOC) is the regulator for the optical professions in the UK. The Council currently registers around 23,500 optometrists, dispensing opticians, student opticians and optical businesses.

The GOC has four core functions:

• Setting standards for optical education and training, performance and conduct.
• Approving qualifications leading to registration.
• Maintaining a register of individuals who are qualified and fit to practise, train or carry on business as optometrists and dispensing opticians.
• Investigating and acting where registrants’ fitness to practise, train or carry on business is impaired.

The GOC’s mission is to protect the public by promoting high standards of education and conduct amongst opticians. Their work is built on a foundation of six core values. These values are based on the Better Regulation Commission’s criteria for good regulation.

Contact details

Telephone: 020 7580 3898

Email: goc@optical.org

Website: www.optical.org

Postal Address