The Optometry Law
Washington · Businesses and Professions · §§ 18.53.005 to 18.53.920 · 26 sections
Overview
This act governs the practice of optometry, establishing a board of optometry and setting out its membership, qualifications, and authority to adopt regulations. It makes optometry a licensed profession, prescribing qualifications for licensure, examination and credentialing routes, renewal and retired status, and the fees that fund the system, and it defines the permitted scope of practice, including the use of pharmaceutical agents, removal of foreign bodies, limits on prescribing, and the sale of lenses and frames. Enforcement rests on stated grounds for disciplinary sanctions, license revocation, prohibited acts, and criminal penalties, with definitions and exemptions marking the outer bounds of what the act reaches.
Editorial summary generated from the text of this act. It is not part of the statute — read the sections below for the operative language.
In the courts
Sections of this act have been cited in 5 court decisions.
Most-cited authority: 92 Wash. App. 119 - McKenna v. Harrison Memorial Hospital
Sections covered
- RCW 18.53.005Legislative finding and declaration.
- RCW 18.53.010Definition—Scope of practice.1 cite
- RCW 18.53.021License required.
- RCW 18.53.030Temporary permit—When issued.
- RCW 18.53.035Credentialing by endorsement.
- RCW 18.53.040Exemptions—Exceptions—Limitation.
- RCW 18.53.050License renewal.
- RCW 18.53.060License applicants—Eligibility—Qualifications—Examinations—Exception.1 cite
- RCW 18.53.070Licensing—Procedures, requirements, fees.
- RCW 18.53.100Disciplinary action—Grounds.
- RCW 18.53.101Application of uniform disciplinary act.
- RCW 18.53.140Unlawful acts.1 cite
- RCW 18.53.145Unlawful advertising of indemnity benefits.
- RCW 18.53.150Violations generally—Penalty.
- RCW 18.53.160Public aid ocular services—Discrimination prohibited.1 cite
- RCW 18.53.165Discrimination prohibited—Legislative finding and declaration.
- RCW 18.53.170Discrimination prohibited—Acceptance of services by state agencies and subdivisions.
- RCW 18.53.175Discrimination prohibited—State agencies and subdivisions—Officials and employees.
- RCW 18.53.180Discrimination prohibited—Agreements or contracts by state and subdivisions.
- RCW 18.53.185Discrimination prohibited—Costs immaterial.
- RCW 18.53.190Discrimination prohibited—Application of law.
- RCW 18.53.200Privileged communications.1 cite
- RCW 18.53.210Inactive license status.
- RCW 18.53.900Short title—1919 c 144.
- RCW 18.53.901Severability—1973 c 48.
- RCW 18.53.920Repeal—1919 c 144.
Enacted in other states
All Washington named statutes →
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