---

Contact:
Jodi Dodds
2706 - 83 Garry Street
Winnipeg, Manitoba R3C 4J9
Phone: 1-866-949-1950 ext 226
Fax: 1-204-947-2519
Email naco@opticians.ca

www.naco.ca

In order to be eligible to take the NACO Exam you must have completed and passed the NAIT course. This includes the 2000-hour and 100 fit requirement. You will not receive a certificate of completion from NAIT without your logbook being completed. You must remain registered at NAIT as a practicum student until you have passed the practical exam and become licensed.

NACO is the national body responsible for labour mobility of Opticians. A nationally accepted practical examination has been developed and is administered by NACO in Alberta in cooperation with the Alberta Opticians Association. This exam is now accepted in nine of the ten provinces. The exception is British Columbia.

The national exam allows for consistency across Canada. If you were to decide to take the exam in Saskatchewan because the dates are better, that is possible. Exam schedules will be posted as soon as they are available.

AOA Contact:
Kristie Gross
Email: kristie@albertaopticians.org
Phone: (800) 263-6026 or (780) 429-2694

National Exams

Alberta
February 2-3, 2008
June 28-29, 2008

British Columbia
November 24-25, 2008
June 2008 TBA

Manitoba
May 31-June 1, 2008

New Brunswick
June 7-8, 2008

Ontario
April 26-27, 2008
October 24-26, 2008

Saskatchewan
June 7-8, 2008

As you can see this offers a lot more opportunity to the new graduates. The eyeglass exams for the year 2007 in Alberta will cost you $600.00. That money goes to NACO for administering, marking and developing the exam. The balance of the money goes to pay examiners, rent equipment and space and to have a moderator from another province present to oversee the operation. These exams are run on a cost recovery basis.

Time is required for scheduling of the exam. In Alberta as many as 60 people challenge at one time so the sooner you send in information the better your chances of getting a time frame that suits you. If you do not meet deadlines do not be surprised if you have to wait six months to write the next exam series. NACO will send out a certificate of competency when you pass the national exam.