Worshipful Company of Spectacle Makers

Stained glass to the Company of Spectacle Makers, Guildhall, London

The Worshipful Company of Spectacle Makers is one of the Livery Companies of the City of London, UK.

The Company was founded by a Royal Charter of Charles I in 1629 AD; it was granted the status of a Livery Company in 1809. The Company was empowered to set regulations and standards for optical devices; this was eroded by the Industrial Revolution, after which mechanical advancements made trade restrictions difficult to enforce.

F.S.M.C. credential

The Company acquired the right, however, to set examinations that opticians had to pass before practising. The opticians that successfully passed the examinations were designated F.S.M.C. and this credential stood for Fellowship in Optometry of the Worshipful Company of Spectacle Makers.^[1][2]

British College of Ophthalmic Opticians

This power was surrendered to the British College of Ophthalmic Opticians (now titled the College of Optometrists) in 1979, who took over the examination of optometrists, and in 1986 power of examination for dispensing opticians was surrendered to the Association of British Dispensing Opticians (ABDO).

Association of British Dispensing Opticians

In 1986, the power of examination for dispensing opticians was surrendered to the Association of British Dispensing Opticians (ABDO). Now, the Spectacle Makers' Company supports charities, including Vision Aid Overseas, and research in the field of optics and conducts training and professional development including the two-year correspondence course for optical technicians that has national accredication in the British National Qualifications Framework.

The Spectacle Makers' Company ranks sixtieth in the order of precedence for Livery Companies.

References

External links

• The Spectacle Makers' Company
• College of Optometrists
• Association of British Dispensing Opticians

Livery companies and guilds in the City of London
Livery companies in order of precedence	Mercers Grocers Drapers Fishmongers Goldsmiths Skinners Merchant Taylors Haberdashers Salters Ironmongers Vintners Clothworkers Dyers Brewers Leathersellers Pewterers Barbers Cutlers Bakers Wax Chandlers Tallow Chandlers Armourers and Brasiers Girdlers Butchers Saddlers Carpenters Cordwainers Painter-Stainers Curriers Masons Plumbers Innholders Founders Poulters Cooks Coopers Tylers and Bricklayers Bowyers Fletchers Blacksmiths Joiners and Ceilers Weavers Woolmen Scriveners Fruiterers Plaisterers Stationers and Newspaper Makers Broderers Upholders Musicians Turners Basketmakers Glaziers and Painters of Glass Horners Farriers Paviors Loriners Apothecaries Shipwrights Spectacle Makers Clockmakers Glovers Feltmakers Framework Knitters Needlemakers Gardeners Tin Plate Workers Wheelwrights Distillers Pattenmakers Glass Sellers Coachmakers and Coach Harness Makers Gunmakers Gold and Silver Wyre Drawers Makers of Playing Cards Fanmakers Carmen Master Mariners Solicitors Farmers Air Pilots Tobacco Pipe Makers and Tobacco Blenders Furniture Makers Scientific Instrument Makers Chartered Surveyors Chartered Accountants Chartered Secretaries and Administrators Builders Merchants Launderers Marketors Actuaries Insurers Arbitrators Engineers Fuellers Lightmongers Environmental Cleaners Chartered Architects Constructors Information Technologists World Traders Water Conservators Firefighters Hackney Carriage Drivers Management Consultants International Bankers Tax Advisers Security Professionals Educators Arts Scholars
Companies without Livery	Parish Clerks (Worshipful Company of) Watermen and Lightermen (Company of) Public Relations Practitioners
Guilds	Entrepreneurs HR Practitioners Nurses
Category:Organisations based in the City of London