Renewal of Practising Certificate

Under the Optometrists and Opticians Act, practitioners with Full Registration are required to renew their practising certificates (PC) upon expiry to continue their practice of optometry and/or opticianry.

With effect from 1 October 2017, reminders for PC Renewal will only be sent via email. Hence, please ensure that you have provided a valid email address to the Board

A. Submission of Application for PC Renewal

1. Practitioners are required to renew their PC if they wish to continue practising (full-time or part-time) in the profession. Fees for each category as follows:

2. Practitioners are reminded to submit an application online for PC renewal via the Professional Registration System (PRS) at least 30 days before their current PC expires. A late application fee of $50 would be imposed if the application is received later than 30 days; and $100 if the application is submitted after expiry of PC.

3. Practitioners may pay for the renewal fee by Credit/Debit Card.

4. With effect from 15 January 2017, practitioners are required to log in to PRS via Singpass only.

5. Practitioners who are holding a valid work permit but not eligible for Singpass, please contact the Board's secretariat if you are unable to log in PRS.

6. As part of application requirement, please submit a passport-sized, digital, colour photograph and preferably with no white attire taken within the last 3 months.

7. Please note that under section 13(4) of the Optometrists and Opticians Act, all registered optometrists and opticians, whether practising full-time or part-time, must inform the Board of any change in his name, residential address, practice address or other particulars as may be prescribed, within 28 days of the occurrence of the change. Application of change can be submitted via the PRS prior application for PC Renewal. Please refer to details here on updating of particulars.

8. You are reminded to be prudent and truthful when applying for registration with the Board. Any false statements will lead to your application being rejected or to the annulment of a registration already granted and may also render yourself liable to prosecution under the Optometrists and Optician Act which deals with the application.

B. CPE Qualifying Period

1. Your new Qualifying Period (QP) for Continuing Professional Education (CPE) will start from 1 October of the renewal year to 30 September two years later. The targeted CPE points for an Optician is 40 points, and 50 points for an Optometrist. Please refer to this link for a copy of the CPE guidelines.

2. You are expected to participate in CPE to ensure that your optometry and opticianry knowledge and skills remain current and relevant, and to maintain a reasonable level of competence. Failure to achieve the necessary CPE points as determined by the Board could amount to professional misconduct and make you liable for disciplinary action by the Board.

C. Inactive Practice

1. If you are not actively practising, you may consider not to renew your PC. If you wish to return to practice subsequently, you may apply for renewal with a late application fee.

2. With effect from 1 August 2020, practitioners whose practising certificates have lapsed and who wish to return to practise, are now required to obtain the requisite CPE points in the 24 months preceding their application for practising certificate (PC) with the Board.

3. The Board may cancel the registration of a practitioner who did not renew his PC for a continuous period of 5 years and have no address in Singapore where he can be found.

D. Outcome of Application

1. The Board will take approximately 3-4 weeks to process an application. Longer processing time may be taken for adverse application or during peak period.

2. Upon approval of your application, you will be able to view a copy of your e-Practising Certificate (e-PC) online via the Professional Registration System (PRS), under “Administration” > “View Certificates”.