The program provides the necessary skills for employment and prepares students to meet British Columbia's licensing requirements. If students are already licensed Dispensing Opticians and want to gain contact lens fitting qualifications, they may be eligible for direct entry into the second year of the program.

High School Graduation or equivalent*. Any Math 11 with a grade of "C-" or better (or equivalent). A completed and signed Optical Tour Form. Applicants may be required to attend a personal interview that will be used for the purposes of providing information and academic counselling. Direct entry into second year of the program is available for those individuals already employed within the optical field as an Optician - Eyeglass Dispenser and desiring educational qualifications in the fitting of contact lenses. Criminal Record Check - This program requires students to train in an environment that demands individuals to provide proof of a satisfactorily completed, current CRS for the protection of the clients. To meet this requirement, prospective students must submit to a current CRC as a condition of entry to the program. All costs related to the completion of this search are the responsibility of the individual student. *Successful completion of two three-credit university transfer courses may be substituted for high school graduation. General requirements: All applicants for admission to the College must satisfy at least ONE of the following criteria: BC secondary school graduation (or the equivalent in another school system); One course short of BC secondary school graduation; 19 years old by the end of the first month of the first semester of attendance; 17 years old on the first day of the first semester of attendance and has not been in school for at least one year; Completion of a certificate or equivalent from a special needs program and has been in school for 12 years. English Proficiency Requirement. All applicants to the College must demonstrate proficiency in English by providing proof of ONE of the following: Douglas College English Assessment; LPI - minimum essay score 4; TOEFL iBT - minimum score 83; IELTS - minimum overall band test score 6.5 (academic module only); EIKEN Practical English - minimum placement of Grade 1; CAEL - minimum overall and essay score of 60 (computer or paper based); Cambridge English CAE- minimum score 75 or "B"; Cambridge English CPE - minimum score 60 or "C"; Canadian Language Benchmark (CLB) Level 8 in each of Listening, Speaking, Reading and Writing; Pearson Test of English (PTE) Academic - minimum score of 56. Language School Pathway Options: Completion of the Advanced Level of the University Preparation program at EC English Language Centers (ECAD); Completion of Level A2 of the University Pathway program at Int’l Language School of Canada (ILSC); Completion of Level 16 (Pathway 3.3) of the Academic pathway program at Int’l Language Academy of Canada (ILAC); Completion of highest level course ELS level 112 with ELS Language School; Completion of VGC International College Advanced University Preparation course level 7 with 75% or higher; Completion of Kaplan International Centres Common European Framework of Reference (CEFR) Level C1. The full list of extra requirements is on the web-site. Note: Students who do not meet any of the above requirements may apply for admission as a "special student”. Students are urged to discuss their situation with the Registrar and/or a College counselor.