New Council positions for 2026

The implementation of the GOC’s Education and Training Review (ETR) has changed how optometrists are educated and trained. There is a move towards a four-year integrated Master's model (five years in Scotland) bringing academic study and clinical experience together. Some universities are also partnering with the College of Optometrists to deliver Clinical Learning in Practice (CLiP) placements.

As the traditional route into the profession changes, some of the terminology previously used to describe different stages of an optometrist's training is also becoming outdated.

The way optometrists receive their educating and enter the profession is changing, and our Council representation needs to evolve alongside it.

Changes to optometry education and training mean that some of our existing role titles such as 'Undergraduate student Councillor' and 'Pre-registration Councillor' will no longer accurately reflect the experiences of all optometrists as they progress through study, qualification and into their early careers.

The changes are designed to future-proof these Council positions while ensuring that members are represented at each stage of the optometrist’s journey.

To address the upcoming changes, the four positions representing optometrists in training and newly qualified optometrists are:

Optometrist in training 1 (OIT1)
For AOP student members in the penultimate year of their undergraduate optometry degree.

Optometrist in training 2 (OIT2)
For AOP student members in the final year of their undergraduate optometry degree.

Newly-qualified optometrist 1 (NQ1)
For members at the final qualifying examination, qualification and first-job stage of their journey.

Newly-qualified optometrist 2 (NQ2)
For members at the next stage of their newly qualified journey, including those seeking or working in their first employed role.

Each position has a one-year term, with the option for OIT1 to progress to OIT2 and NQ1 to progress to NQ2.

OIT1 and OIT2 replace the previous 'Undergraduate student Councillor' and 'Pre-registration Councillor' positions.

The term 'pre-registration' will become increasingly outdated as education and clinical experience becomes integrated within the optometry degree.

Introducing OIT1 and OIT2 better reflects the changing education model and helps future-proof Council representation as the roads into the profession continue to evolve.

The two positions will also allow Council to hear directly from optometrists at distinct stages of their training, i.e. those approaching their final year and those undertaking their final year of study. This will help the AOP better understand and respond to the experiences and needs of members at each stage.

Qualifying as an optometrist and moving into practice involves several distinct stages, each bringing different experiences and challenges.

Previously, newly qualified and early career optometrists were represented within a combined category. The new structure recognises that an individual completing their final assessments or looking for their first role can have very different experiences from someone who is further into their early career.

NQ1 and NQ2 therefore provide greater depth of representation during this important transition.

Having two newly qualified positions also means Council can hear directly from members at different points in the qualification and employment journey, helping the AOP remain responsive to the needs of members entering the profession.

Early career optometrist remains a separate Council position and will continue to be appointed in June.

Separating early career representation from the newly qualified roles means this position can more accurately represent the experiences of members at that particular stage of their career.

The Early career optometrist position is aimed at members who have completed their first year in practice and covers the first five years of an optometrist's career.

Council plays a crucial role in representing the views and experiences of AOP members.

Having representation at each stage of the journey into optometry gives Council access to current, first-hand insight into the opportunities and challenges members are experiencing.

This helps the AOP better understand and respond to the needs of optometrists in training and newly qualified members, while ensuring their experiences and feedback can inform the AOP's work and decision-making.

The usual Council appointment timeline is aligned with the AOP's Annual General Meeting in June however this doesn’t align neatly with the academic year.

The OIT1, OIT2, NQ1 and NQ2 positions will therefore follow a September-to-September cycle.

This will better align the roles with the academic year, helping to ensure that each Councillor accurately represents the stage of training or qualification associated with their position.

The later appointment date will also give students and newly qualified members more time and space to focus on their Council applications outside of the pressures of the exam period.

Like other members of Council, the OIT and NQ Councillors will bring the experiences and perspectives of the members they represent into Council discussions.

Their role is to be an active voice for their membership peers , helping Council and the wider AOP understand the issues affecting optometrists at their particular career stage, and ensuring those perspectives inform the AOP's work and decision-making.

The OIT and NQ Councillors will attend Council meetings during their term, providing current insight as they progress through these important stages of their careers.

The OIT1, OIT2, NQ1 and NQ2 positions take effect in September 2026.

The positions will operate on a September-to-September cycle, with Councillors attending their first Council meeting in November 2026.