A method for controlling the recording power of an optical disc apparatus. The method can search for an optimum recording power using a starting power stored in a recordable high density optical disc based on a manufacturer thereof, and perform recording operations with the optimum recording power while the start power is properly varied through an Optimum Power Control (OPC) procedure. The method comprises the operations of: obtaining an initial start power for performing the OPC procedure of a recordable optical disc; performing the OPC procedure, and judging whether the initial start power is within a range of allowable levels for determining the optimum recording power of the optical disc; re-performing the OPC procedure by varying the initial start power when the initial start power deviates from the range of allowable levels; and storing the new start power when within the range of allowable levels for improved subsequent OPC procedures.