Optometry Scotland is currently considering its response to the General Optical Council’s (GOC) discussion paper on its future approach to registrant fees.
The discussion paper explores a range of options relating to how registration fees are distributed across different registrant groups and businesses, as well as potential changes to payment arrangements and fee-setting processes.
“It is important that any future approach to registration fees is fair, transparent and does not create unintended consequences for registrants or businesses. We are keen to understand members’ views on the issues raised in the discussion paper and will use that feedback to help shape Optometry Scotland’s response.”
Eilidh Thomson, Chair, Optometry Scotland
The discussion paper explores a number of potential options, including:
- Differential fees for different registrant groups
- Potential changes to business registration fees
- Payment of fees by instalments
- Reduced fees for newly qualified registrants
- Lower fees for dispensing opticians
- Higher fees for registrants with specialist qualifications, including Independent Prescribing
While the GOC is not consulting on the overall level of registration fees, it is seeking views on whether different groups of registrants and businesses should pay different fees in future and whether the current approach to fee setting remains appropriate.
Some of the options under consideration could have implications for individual registrants, practice owners and optical businesses. This includes proposals relating to business registration fees, specialist qualifications and support for newly qualified registrants.
At this stage, Optometry Scotland has not formed a final position on the options set out in the discussion paper and is seeking feedback from members to help inform its response.
Members wishing to share their views are invited to contact the OS office at office@optometryscotland.org.uk by Friday 3 July 2026.
The GOC discussion paper is available on the GOC consultation hub and closes on 20 July 2026.