COO Sanctions Explained for Ontario Optometrists: From Caution to Revocation

The COO Sanction Ladder: How Disciplinary Outcomes Are Ordered

The College of Optometrists of Ontario applies a graduated approach to disciplinary outcomes under the Regulated Health Professions Act, 1991 (RHPA). Most matters are resolved at the Inquiries, Complaints and Reports Committee (ICRC) stage, without proceeding to a formal Discipline Committee hearing.

The possible outcomes from least to most serious are:

Outcome	Stage	Register
No action	ICRC	Not published
Written advice	ICRC	Not published
Written caution	ICRC	Registration record only
Specified CPD / remediation program	ICRC	Registration record only
Undertaking / conditions on practice	ICRC or Discipline	Published
Reprimand	Discipline Committee	Published
Suspension	Discipline Committee	Published
Revocation	Discipline Committee	Published permanently

Ontario optometrists can also find relevant professional development through our professional ethics and development courses for Ontario healthcare professionals page.

Written Advice, Written Caution, and ICRC-Stage Outcomes at the COO

The majority of COO complaints are resolved at the ICRC stage without a Discipline Committee hearing. The available outcomes at this stage are:

• No action. The ICRC determines there is no basis for further action. This is the outcome in a significant proportion of complaints and leaves no formal record on the public register.
• Written advice. The ICRC provides written guidance on professional practice. Written advice is not a caution and does not constitute a finding of professional misconduct or incompetence. It is educational in nature.
• Written caution. A formal outcome recorded on your COO registration record. The ICRC may require you to appear in person before the caution is issued. A written caution is not typically published on the public register but is considered if a subsequent complaint is received.

If you receive an ICRC outcome you believe is unwarranted, both the complainant and the registrant have certain rights of review. Consult your professional liability insurer and legal counsel promptly — time limits apply.

Specified Continuing Education, Undertakings, and Practice Conditions

Where the ICRC or the Discipline Committee determines that formal requirements should be placed on a registrant's practice, the outcome may take the form of a specified CPD or remediation program, an undertaking, or conditions on practice.

• Specified continuing education or remediation program. A defined educational or remediation requirement recorded on the registration record. Completion is mandatory and must be demonstrated to the COO.
• Undertaking. A formal written commitment by the registrant — for example, to practise under supervision, complete specified CPD, or avoid certain activities. Undertakings may be published on the public register depending on their nature.
• Conditions on practice. Requirements imposed by the Discipline Committee, such as supervision requirements, restrictions on clinical scope, or mandatory College reporting. Conditions imposed by the Discipline Committee are published on the public register.

Where undertakings or conditions are in place, demonstrating genuine insight and sustained behavioural change matters. Our Insight for Fitness to Practise and Reflection for Fitness to Practise courses provide structured CPD evidence that supports any review of conditions.

Suspension at the College of Optometrists of Ontario

A suspension from practice is a serious Discipline Committee outcome. It removes your right to practise in Ontario for the period specified in the order and is published on the COO public register.

• Fixed-term suspension. A suspension for a defined period. At the end of the term, practice may resume subject to any conditions imposed. Terms vary from weeks to a year or more depending on the severity of the finding.
• Indefinite suspension pending compliance. A suspension with no fixed end date — it continues until specified conditions are met, such as completing a remediation program or passing a competency assessment.

During a suspension you are not permitted to practise in Ontario in your regulated capacity. Practising while suspended is an offence under the RHPA and may result in criminal prosecution and cancellation of your professional liability coverage. Notify your employer and any hospitals or facilities where you hold privileges immediately upon receiving a suspension order.

Revocation and the Path Back to Practice at the COO

Revocation is the most serious sanction available to the COO Discipline Committee. It removes your registration entirely and is published permanently on the public register.

Reinstatement after revocation is possible in some circumstances but is assessed on its merits, including:

• The nature and severity of the conduct that led to revocation
• The time elapsed since revocation
• Evidence of genuine rehabilitation, insight, and behavioural change
• CPD and remediation completed since revocation
• Whether reinstatement is in the public interest

Some categories of revocation carry statutory restrictions on reinstatement under the RHPA. Consult a regulatory lawyer well before making any reinstatement application.

Public Versus Private Outcomes: What Appears on the COO Register

Understanding which outcomes are and are not published on the COO public register is important for managing your situation accurately.

Outcome	Public Register	Notes
No action	Not published	Complaint closed; no record on register
Written advice	Not published	Guidance provided; no formal finding
Written caution	Registration record only	Recorded but not typically on public register
Specified CPD / remediation	Registration record only	Recorded on registration; not published
Undertaking	Published	Terms visible on public register
Conditions on practice	Published	Conditions visible on public register
Reprimand	Published	Finding and order published
Suspension	Published	Duration and reasons published
Revocation	Published permanently	Remains on register indefinitely

The COO public register is searchable online. Employers, hospitals, and credentialling agencies routinely check it. Even where an outcome is not published on the register, you may have separate disclosure obligations under your employment contract, hospital by-laws, or professional liability insurance terms. Always seek advice from your professional liability insurer and legal counsel on your specific disclosure obligations.

Key Resources for Ontario Optometrists

• College of Optometrists of Ontario (COO) — Primary regulatory authority for Ontario optometrists. The COO website contains current information on the public register, complaints process, Discipline Committee hearings, and sanction guidelines.
• Canadian Examiners in Optometry (CEO) — National body for optometrists' regulatory matters in Canada.
• Canadian Association of Optometrists (CAO) — National professional association providing resources on professional standards for Canadian optometrists.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the least serious COO sanction?

The least serious outcomes at the College of Optometrists of Ontario are written advice and a written caution. Written advice provides guidance without a formal finding. A written caution is formal but not typically published on the public register.

Does a COO caution appear on the public register?

A written caution from the College of Optometrists of Ontario is recorded on your registration record but is not typically published on the public register. More serious outcomes including suspensions and Discipline Committee findings are published publicly.

Can my COO registration be reinstated after revocation?

Reinstatement after revocation at the College of Optometrists of Ontario is possible in some circumstances but is not guaranteed. It is assessed on its merits including evidence of rehabilitation, insight, and time elapsed since revocation. Consult a regulatory lawyer before making any reinstatement application.

What is an undertaking at the COO?

An undertaking at the College of Optometrists of Ontario is a formal written commitment by the registrant — for example, to complete specified CPD, practise under supervision, or avoid certain activities. Undertakings may be published on the public register depending on their nature.

How long does a COO suspension last?

The duration of a COO suspension depends on the severity of the finding. Suspensions may be fixed-term or indefinite pending satisfaction of specified conditions set out in the Discipline Committee order.

Will my employer know about a COO sanction?

Discipline Committee findings and orders including suspensions are published on the COO public register. ICRC outcomes such as written cautions are recorded on your registration but not typically published. You may also have separate employment disclosure obligations.

What is the difference between a restriction and a condition at the COO?

A restriction limits the scope of permitted practice. A condition imposes a positive obligation — for example, requiring supervision, completing CPD, or reporting to the College at intervals. Both may appear on the public register.

Does a COO sanction affect my insurance?

A COO sanction may affect your professional liability insurance. Contact your professional liability insurer as soon as a disciplinary process begins — before any outcome is reached.

Can I appeal a COO Discipline Committee decision?

Yes. Discipline Committee decisions at the COO may be appealed to the Health Professions Appeal and Review Board (HPARB) or the Divisional Court depending on the grounds. Appeal rights are time-limited — consult a regulatory lawyer immediately.

What CPD can help after a COO disciplinary outcome?

Ethics training, insight and reflection courses, and professional standards programmes are commonly accepted as CPD evidence. Our Ensuring No Repeat of Misconduct, Insight for Fitness to Practise, and Reflection for Fitness to Practise courses provide structured Canadian CPD with certificates of completion.

What is the difference between a suspension and revocation at the COO?

A suspension removes your right to practise for a specified period, after which practice may resume subject to conditions. Revocation removes your registration entirely. Reinstatement after revocation requires a formal application to the COO.

Does a COO sanction affect my ability to practise in another Canadian province?

COO disciplinary findings are reportable to other Canadian regulatory authorities under mutual recognition agreements. A finding in Ontario may affect eligibility to register or practise in another province. Seek professional advice on cross-provincial implications.