Getting your French orthoptist diploma recognized in Canada: a real obstacle course

Moving to Canada as an orthoptist is more than just a change of scenery: it's a real obstacle course . Those who think that experience and a French diploma are enough to practice quickly encounter a very different reality. Obtaining Canadian certification is a demanding, stressful, and highly standardized process that requires serious preparation—both theoretical and practical.

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A review at the Canadian student level

The first thing to know is that the Canadian certification exam is not suitable for foreign professionals . It is the same as the one imposed on Canadian students at the end of their studies , which implies not only an update on the content, but also an adaptation to a different teaching system and terminology.

Concretely, the examination includes:

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1. A 3-hour written test

• 150 multiple choice or true/false questions .

• Covers the entire orthoptic program , including neurology, pediatrics, strabology, rehabilitation, etc.

• No access to past papers. The structure is dense and fast — 1 question every 72 seconds.

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2. A practical test on a patient

• You must demonstrate your ability to carry out a complete examination in a rigorous, clear and safe manner.

• The evaluator judges the clinical approach , mastery of the tests (prisms, vergences, pursuit, saccades, etc.), as well as communication with the patient .

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3. An oral test on photos

• The candidate must interpret clinical images (strabismus, ocular pathologies, additional examinations).

• The goal: to make diagnoses , propose treatment and justify your choices in real time in front of the jury.

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4. A retinoscopy on a patient

• Technical exercise: it is necessary to determine the exact refraction of a patient using manual retinoscopy.

• No margin of error tolerated: the result must be fair, reproducible, and supported .

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5. An oral presentation (talk)

• This involves presenting a clinical case , research , or a literature review .

• The candidate is judged on the structure of his presentation , its scientific relevance , and his ability to answer the jury's questions .

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Objective: 70% minimum per test

The hardest part is that each test must be passed individually with a mark of at least 70% . There is no overall resit: failing a single part means starting the session again , or even waiting until the following year.

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A challenge as psychological as it is technical

For a French orthoptist used to working in a practice, this assessment can seem unsettling. The standards are not the same, the medical terms are sometimes different, and the pressure is enormous. It's not just about proving that you know how to work, but also about passing an exam calibrated for newly trained students , based on very academic criteria.

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And yet…

Despite everything, passing this exam is possible. With rigorous preparation , good support, and real work on cultural and medical translation , one can rise to the challenge. Many French orthoptists have done so—often after several months (or even years) of preparation, observation internships, and continuing education.

It's a demanding step, yes. But once completed, it opens the doors to a rich, independent, and valued practice in Canada—in a system where orthoptics enjoys true recognition and bright prospects.