Title 18, BUSINESSES AND PROFESSIONS

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…

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…

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 18.53.165 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…

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…

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 …

This act shall be known, and may be referred to as, "The Optometry Law". [ 1919 c 144 s 20.]

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.]

All acts and parts of acts inconsistent with this act are hereby repealed. [ 1919 c 144 s 19.]

Unless the context clearly indicates otherwise, the terms used in this chapter take their meanings as follows: (1) "Board" means the optometry board; (2) "License" means a certificate or permit to practice optometry as provided in *RCW 18.53.020 as amended from time to time; (3) …

The examining committee, heretofore created pursuant to RCW 43.24.060, is reorganized and reconstituted as the optometry board. [ 1963 c 25 s 2.] Notes: RCW 43.24.060 and 43.24.120 not applicable to optometry: RCW 18.54.920.

The initial composition of the optometry board includes the three members of the examining committee for optometry plus two more optometrists to be appointed by the governor. The governor must make all appointments to the optometry board. Only optometrists who are residents of th…

The board must elect a chair and secretary from its members, to serve for a term of one year or until their successors are elected and qualified. [ 2011 c 336 s 490; 1963 c 25 s 4.]

The board must meet at least once yearly or more frequently upon call of the chair or the secretary of health at such times and places as the chair or the secretary of health may designate by giving three days' notice or as otherwise required by RCW 42.30.075. A full record of th…

A majority of the board members appointed and serving constitutes a quorum for the transaction of board business. The affirmative vote of a majority of a quorum of the board is required to carry a motion or resolution, to adopt a rule, or to pass a measure. [ 2022 c 240 s 24; 196…

The board has the following powers and duties: (1) To develop and administer, or approve, or both, a licensure examination. The board may approve an examination prepared or administered by a private testing agency or association of licensing authorities. (2) The board shall adopt…

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 18.53 RCW. [ 1987 c 150 s 37; 1986 c 259 s 79.] Notes: Severability—1987 c 150: See RCW 18.122.901. S…

The board is an administrative agency of the state of Washington, and the provisions of the administrative procedure act, chapter 34.05 RCW as amended from time to time, govern the conduct and proceedings of the board. Nothing in this chapter shall be construed to give the board …

Members of the board are entitled to receive their travel expenses in accordance with RCW 43.03.050 and 43.03.060. Each member of the board will also be compensated in accordance with RCW 43.03.265. The board is designated as a class five group for purposes of chapter 43.03 RCW. …

Notwithstanding any other provisions of law, rule or regulation, the board may draw from the health professions account on vouchers approved by the secretary of health, so much money as is necessary to carry into effect, to administer, and to enforce the provisions of this chapte…

All powers previously vested in the director of licenses under the provisions of RCW 18.53.100 are vested in the optometry board. [ 1963 c 25 s 15.]

(1) The board shall develop a process for an optometrist that has received an endorsement to perform advanced procedures authorized under RCW 18.53.010 to submit information to the board on the outcome, including any complication or adverse event, of every advanced procedure that…

This act may be known and cited as the "optometry board act." [ 1963 c 25 s 16.]

The provisions of RCW 43.24.060 and 43.24.120 are not applicable to the licensing and regulation of the practice of optometry. [ 1999 c 240 s 6; 1963 c 25 s 18.] Notes: Examining committee reconstituted as optometry board: RCW 18.54.020.

No person may practice or represent himself or herself as an ocularist without first having a valid license to do so. [ 1987 c 150 s 40.] Notes: Severability—1987 c 150: See RCW 18.122.901.

(1) Nothing in this chapter shall: (a) Be construed to limit or restrict a duly licensed physician or employees working under the personal supervision of a duly licensed physician from the practices enumerated in this chapter; (b) Be construed to prohibit an unlicensed person fro…

The legislature finds it necessary to regulate the practice of ocularist to protect the public health, safety, and welfare. The legislature intends that only individuals who meet and maintain minimum standards of competence and conduct may provide service to the public. [ 1991 c …

The terms defined in this section shall have the meaning ascribed to them wherever appearing in this chapter, unless a different meaning is specifically used to such term in such statute. (1) "Department" means the department of health. (2) "Secretary" means the secretary of heal…

The secretary shall determine administrative procedures, administrative requirements, and fees for licenses and renewals as provided in RCW 43.70.250 and 43.70.280. [ 1996 c 191 s 31; 1991 c 3 s 143; 1980 c 101 s 3.]

No applicant shall be licensed under this chapter until the applicant complies with administrative procedures, administrative requirements, and fees determined by the secretary according to RCW 43.70.250 and 43.70.280. Qualifications must require that the applicant: (1) Is eighte…

An applicant with military training or experience satisfies the training or experience requirements of this chapter unless the secretary determines that the military training or experience is not substantially equivalent to the standards of this state. [ 2011 c 32 s 3.]

The secretary may approve an examination prepared or administered by a private testing agency or association of licensing authorities. The examination shall determine if the applicant has a thorough knowledge of the principles governing the practice of an ocularist. [ 1991 c 180 …

Every individual licensed or registered under this chapter shall comply with administrative procedures, administrative requirements, and fees determined by the secretary, as provided by RCW 43.70.250 and 43.70.280 to renew his or her license. [ 1996 c 191 s 33; 1991 c 180 s 6; (1…

(1) A person wishing to work as an apprentice ocularist shall submit to the secretary the registration fee and completed application form signed by the applicant and the licensed ocularist who shall be responsible for the acts of the apprentice in the performance of his or her wo…

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. [ 1987 c 150 s 39; 1986 c 259 s 89.] Notes: Severability—1987 c 150: See RCW 18.122.901. Severability—1986 c 259…

An ocularist designs, fabricates, and fits ocular prosthetic appliances. An ocularist is authorized to perform the necessary procedures to provide an ocular prosthetic service for the patient in the ocularist's office or laboratory on referral of a physician. A referral is not re…

An ocularist or authorized service provider shall explain to patients or customers exactly which type of prosthesis or service they are receiving or purchasing. Failure to do so, or misrepresentation of said services, constitutes unprofessional conduct under this chapter and chap…

In addition to any other authority provided by law, the secretary may: (1) Adopt rules in accordance with chapter 34.05 RCW necessary to implement this chapter; (2) Establish forms necessary to administer this chapter; (3) Issue a license to any applicant who has met the educatio…

An applicant holding a credential in another state may be credentialed to practice in this state without examination if the secretary determines that the other state's credentialing standards are substantially equivalent to the standards in this state. [ 1991 c 180 s 12.]

(1) The legislature recognizes the importance of allowing licensed practitioners to use their professional judgment, based on their education, training, and expertise, to determine the appropriate use of current and future technologies to enhance patient care. Guidelines for prov…

The definitions in this section apply throughout this chapter unless the context clearly requires otherwise. (1) "Contact lens" means any lens placed directly on the surface of the eye, regardless of whether or not it is intended to correct a visual defect. Contact lens includes,…

A qualified provider may prepare a prescription for corrective lenses intended to correct an individual's refractive error by remote technology if: (1) The prescribing qualified provider is held to the same standard of care applicable to qualified providers providing corrective l…

It is unlawful for any person to offer or otherwise make available to consumers in this state remote technology under this chapter without fully complying with the following: (1) The remote technology must be approved by the United States food and drug administration when applica…

The department shall adopt any rules necessary to implement this chapter. [ 2020 c 241 s 7.] Notes: Short title—2020 c 241: See note following RCW 18.56.010.

As used in this chapter: (1) "Board" means the Washington state board of osteopathic medicine and surgery; (2) "Department" means the department of health; (3) "Maintenance of certification" means the satisfactory participation in a formal recertification program to maintain boar…

There is hereby created an agency of the state of Washington, consisting of eleven individuals appointed by the governor to be known as the Washington state board of osteopathic medicine and surgery. On expiration of the term of any member, the governor shall appoint for a period…