Title 18 — Title 18 BUSINESSES AND PROFESSIONS
113 chapters · 2,288 sections in this title.
RCW 18.53.005 Legislative finding and declaration.
0.4K chars
The legislature finds and declares that the practice of optometry is a learned profession and affects the health, welfare and safety of the people of this state, and should be regulated in the public interest and limited to qualified persons licensed and authorized to practice un…
RCW 18.53.010 Definition—Scope of practice.
14.5K chars
(1) The practice of optometry is defined as the examination of the human eye, the examination and ascertaining any defects of the human vision system, and the analysis of the process of vision. The practice of optometry may include, but not necessarily be limited to, the followin…
RCW 18.53.021 License required.
0.2K chars
It is a violation of RCW 18.130.190 for any person to practice optometry in this state without first obtaining a license from the secretary of health.[ 1991 c 3 s 133; 1987 c 150 s 38.]Notes:Severability—1987 c 150: See RCW 18.122.901.
RCW 18.53.030 Temporary permit—When issued.
0.6K chars
The board may at its discretion, issue a permit to practice optometry during the interim between examinations, to any person who has filed an application for examination which has been accepted by the board as admitting the applicant to the next examination. Such permit shall be …
RCW 18.53.035 Credentialing by endorsement.
0.4K chars
An applicant holding a credential in another state may be credentialed to practice in this state without examination if the board determines that the other state's credentialing standards are substantially equivalent to the standards in this state.[ 1991 c 332 s 30.]Notes:Applica…
RCW 18.53.040 Exemptions—Exceptions—Limitation.
1.1K chars
Nothing in this chapter shall be construed to pertain in any manner to the practice of any regularly qualified oculist or physician, who is regularly licensed to practice medicine in the state of Washington, or to any person who is regularly licensed to practice as a dispensing o…
RCW 18.53.050 License renewal.
0.4K chars
Every licensed optometrist shall renew his or her license by complying with administrative procedures, administrative requirements, and fees determined according to RCW 43.70.250 and 43.70.280.[ 1996 c 191 s 29; 1991 c 3 s 134; 1985 c 7 s 51; 1983 c 168 s 8; 1981 c 277 s 8; 1975 …
RCW 18.53.060 License applicants—Eligibility—Qualifications—Examinations—Exception.
3.0K chars
From and after January 1, 1940, in order to be eligible for examination for registration, a person shall have a preliminary education of or equal to four years in a state accredited high school and has completed a full attendance course in a regularly chartered school of optometr…
RCW 18.53.070 Licensing—Procedures, requirements, fees.
0.3K chars
Administrative procedures, administrative requirements, and fees for issuing a license shall be determined as provided in RCW 43.70.250 and 43.70.280.[ 1996 c 191 s 30; 1991 c 3 s 136; 1985 c 7 s 52; 1981 c 260 s 5. Prior: 1975 1st ex.s. c 69 s 5; 1975 1st ex.s. c 30 s 57; 1919 c…
RCW 18.53.100 Disciplinary action—Grounds.
1.5K chars
The following constitutes grounds for disciplinary action under chapter 18.130 RCW:(1) Any form of fraud or deceit used in securing a license; or(2) Any unprofessional conduct, of a nature likely to deceive or defraud the public; or(3) The employing either directly or indirectly …
RCW 18.53.101 Application of uniform disciplinary act.
0.3K chars
The uniform disciplinary act, chapter 18.130 RCW, governs unlicensed practice, the issuance and denial of licenses, and the discipline of licensees under this chapter and chapter 18.54 RCW.[ 1987 c 150 s 36; 1986 c 259 s 78.]Notes:Severability—1987 c 150: See RCW 18.122.901.Sever…
RCW 18.53.140 Unlawful acts.
4.2K chars
It shall be unlawful for any person:(1) To sell or barter, or offer to sell or barter any license issued by the secretary; or(2) To purchase or procure by barter any license with the intent to use the same as evidence of the holder's qualification to practice optometry; or(3) To …
RCW 18.53.145 Unlawful advertising of indemnity benefits.
0.4K chars
It shall be unlawful for any licensee subject to the provisions of chapter 18.53 RCW to advertise to the effect that benefits in the form of indemnity will accrue to subscribers of health care service contracts for services performed by the licensee for a subscriber when the lice…
RCW 18.53.150 Violations generally—Penalty.
0.2K chars
Any person violating this chapter is guilty of a misdemeanor.[ 1986 c 259 s 83; 1919 c 144 s 22; RRS s 10163. Prior: 1909 c 235 s 12.]Notes:Severability—1986 c 259: See note following RCW 18.130.010.
RCW 18.53.160 Public aid ocular services—Discrimination prohibited.
0.8K chars
All agencies of the state and its subdivisions, and all commissions, clinics and boards administering relief, public assistance, public welfare assistance, social security, health insurance, or health service under the laws of this state, shall accept the services of licensed opt…
RCW 18.53.165 Discrimination prohibited—Legislative finding and declaration.
0.9K chars
The legislature finds and declares that the costs of health care to the people are rising disproportionately to other costs and that there is a paramount concern that the right of the people to obtain access to health care in all its facets is being impaired thereby. For this rea…
RCW 18.53.170 Discrimination prohibited—Acceptance of services by state agencies and subdivisions.
0.3K chars
Notwithstanding any other provision of law, the state and its political subdivisions shall accept the services of licensed optometrists for any service covered by their licenses with relation to any person receiving benefits, salaries, wages, or any other type of compensation fro…
RCW 18.53.175 Discrimination prohibited—State agencies and subdivisions—Officials and employees.
0.3K chars
The state and its political subdivisions, and all officials, agents, employees, or representatives thereof, are prohibited from in any way discriminating against licensed optometrists in performing and receiving compensation for services covered by their licenses.[ 1973 c 48 s 3.…
RCW 18.53.180 Discrimination prohibited—Agreements or contracts by state and subdivisions.
0.5K chars
Notwithstanding any other provision of law, the state and its political subdivisions, and all officials, agents, employees, or representatives thereof, are prohibited from entering into any agreement or contract with any individual, group, association, or corporation which in any…
RCW 18.53.185 Discrimination prohibited—Costs immaterial.
0.3K chars
Notwithstanding any other provision of law, for the purpose of RCW 18.53.165 through 18.53.180 and 18.53.190 it is immaterial whether the cost of any policy, plan, agreement, or contract be deemed additional compensation for services, or otherwise.[ 1973 c 48 s 5.]
RCW 18.53.190 Discrimination prohibited—Application of law.
0.5K chars
RCW 18.53.165 through 18.53.185 shall apply to all agreements, renewals, or contracts issued on or after June 7, 1973.Health care service contracts having a participant agreement with a majority of the licensed optometrists within its service area may provide benefits to persons …
RCW 18.53.200 Privileged communications.
0.4K chars
The information and records of a licensed optometrist pertaining to a patient shall be privileged communications, the same as now or hereafter may exist in the relationship of physician and patient and shall not be released or subjected to disclosure without the consent of the pa…
RCW 18.53.210 Inactive license status.
1.0K chars
The optometry board may adopt rules under this section authorizing an inactive license status.(1) An individual licensed under this chapter may place his or her license on inactive status. The holder of an inactive license must not practice optometry in this state without first a…
RCW 18.53.900 Short title—1919 c 144.
0.1K chars
This act shall be known, and may be referred to as, "The Optometry Law".[ 1919 c 144 s 20.]
RCW 18.53.901 Severability—1973 c 48.
0.2K chars
If any provision of this 1973 act, or its application to any person or circumstance is held invalid, the remainder of the act, or the application of the provision to other persons or circumstances is not affected.[ 1973 c 48 s 7.]
RCW 18.53.920 Repeal—1919 c 144.
0.1K chars
All acts and parts of acts inconsistent with this act are hereby repealed.[ 1919 c 144 s 19.]