Level 7 Certificate in Supporting Optical Care
An online qualification for experienced optical support staff in Scotland, particularly people working towards greater supervisory or management responsibilities. Applicants should check the Level 7 entry requirements, including relevant previous qualifications or optical-sector experience, and the workplace support needed before applying.
Online course
Using our online learning portal
Course duration
8 months
Recommended weekly study
3–4 hours a week
Study requirements
Relevant optical qualification or at least one year of optical-sector experience
First class support
Tutor support throughout
Assessment
Online assessment in the workplace
Qualification
Certificate in Supporting Optical Care
Cost
Course fee: £1,000
April 2027
Applications for April 2027 will close on 26 March 2027
About the qualification
The Level 7 Certificate in Supporting Optical Care is designed for experienced optical support staff working in Scotland who want to develop their knowledge and take on greater responsibility within practice. It is particularly suitable for those with supervisory or management responsibilities and provides progression from the Level 5 Certificate in Supporting Optical Care.
The qualification develops more advanced knowledge across four areas of optical practice: legal and professional responsibilities, spectacle supply and dispensing, low vision, and advanced optical screening.
To achieve the qualification, learners must successfully complete all four units.
Assessment methods
Each unit is assessed through an end-of-unit assignment, which is submitted online and marked by your personal tutor. The assignment covers key elements of the unit, and feedback is provided to support your development.
Each unit also includes an online examination. See the Examinations section below for the assessment format, pass mark and resit arrangements. You can also read our general examinations information.
Entry requirements
The Level 7 qualification is designed for people who already hold a relevant optical qualification, such as Level 5, or who have at least one year of optical-sector experience in a suitable setting, such as an optical practice, glazing laboratory or hospital clinic. Learners working part-time may be asked to demonstrate a longer period of experience.
The qualification is intended for Optical Assistants and other support staff who already have a good understanding of how an optical practice operates. It is not suitable for people who are new to optics.
Learners should have the support of their employer or a GOC/GMC-registered professional.
Frequently asked questions
Is Level 7 suitable for someone new to optics?
No. It is intended for experienced optical support staff; check the entry requirements above.
Do I need to have completed Level 5 first?
Not necessarily. Applicants may have a relevant optical qualification such as Level 5 or qualifying optical-sector experience. The published entry requirements explain both routes.
Can I study alongside employment?
Yes. Learning is online, with assessment activities linked to your workplace and appropriate professional or employer support.
How do I apply?
Review the course requirements and select Apply for Level 7 on this page. Employers planning staff development can contact us about suitability.
Units
This unit reviews the range of legislation that governs optical businesses; from consumer rights to the Opticians Act and GDPR. The importance of Health and Safety is also covered, along with, COSHH, risk assessment, and waste disposal. Special emphasis is placed on the supply of contact lenses. This is an important unit for anyone who is in a supervisory capacity or management position.
Your learning goals:
- Understand the legal requirements in optical practice
- Understand the importance of health and safety in the workplace
- Understand the legal requirements that relate to the supply of contact lenses
Studying this unit expands the learner’s knowledge about more advanced areas of dispensing, such as occupational lenses and safety eyewear. This unit also looks at the range of frame, lens, and facial measurements required to order a pair of spectacles. There is also time spent reviewing the NHS voucher system for the supply of spectacles.
Your learning goals:
- Understand the considerations involved in lens selection
- Understand the use and recommendation of occupational lenses
- Understand the range of measurements required to order a pair of spectacles
- Understand the fitting of spectacles, their adjustment and aftercare
- Understand the NHS provision for spectacles in Scotland
- Understand safety lenses and eyewear
According to the RNIB, there are 2 million people in the UK living with sight loss, making this unit an important aspect of modern practice. The unit starts by reviewing the terminology used and moves on to reviewing the low vision assessment journey, with an emphasis on the range of support available. The unit then covers the range of low vision aids available and the importance of good lighting. Studying this unit will help learners better understand the needs and experiences of people with sight loss.
Your learning goals:
- Understand what we mean by low vision
- Understand the low vision assessment process
- Understand the range of low vision aids available
- Understand the common eye conditions
- Understand the importance of light for the visually impaired
Building on the Level 5 optical screening unit, this unit develops a more advanced understanding of procedures including visual field testing, autorefraction, tonometry, fundus photography and OCT. It also explores the triage of ocular emergencies, helping optical support staff develop greater confidence in recognising situations that require further action.
Your learning goals:
- Understand optical prescriptions
- Understand the results of visual field screening
- Understand different methods of measuring intraocular pressure
- Understand how to improve imaging of the fundus
- Understand optical emergencies and triaging
Examinations
In order to achieve a qualification for this course you will need to pass the examinations.
All of our examinations are carried out online in your workplace. You will need to take an examination for each unit you have studied and these will be done once you have completed the coursework for each unit. The details and dates of your examination will be communicated to you on our online portal and also by email. Each examination will take 30 minutes to complete and will consist of several short answer questions. The pass mark for each unit is 50% and you can resit any units you do not pass at the end of your course.
Once you have achieved a pass in all your units you will receive a certificate from NCFE.
You can find out more about our examinations, find application forms and policy documents on our Examinations page.
