A coated optical fiber comprising a light-transmitting fiber and a resin coating layer disposed on the outer periphery of the light-transmitting fiber is formed, an external flaw is imparted to the surface of the resin coating layer while running the coated optical fiber, and then the coated optical fiber is subjected to the measurement of a tensile breaking strength thereof. At this time, the fiber having a strength retention ratio R.sub.S =S.sub.A /S.sub.0 of 0.98 or more, wherein S.sub.A is the median value of the tensile breaking strength after the provision of the external flaw, and S.sub.0 is the median value of the tensile breaking strength before the provision of the external flaw, is selected as a non-defective product. By using the above process for fabricating a coated optical fiber, it is possible to reduce both of the length and measuring period of time required for the evaluation of the external flaw resistance thereof, and to obtain a coated optical fiber having good characteristics while quantitatively evaluating the external flaw resistance of the fiber.