PERMANENT RULES
(Board of Optometry)
Effective Date of Rule: Thirty-one days after filing.
Purpose: These rules implement ESSB 5535, enacted by the 2006 legislature by directing all optometrists to complete required training to authorize full scope of practice by January 1, 2011. Full scope of practice includes topical, oral, and limited controlled substances prescriptive authority and administration of epinephrine by injection. The rules also authorize an inactive credential status for optometrists.
Citation of Existing Rules Affected by this Order: Amending WAC 246-851-490.
Statutory Authority for Adoption: RCW 18.54.070(2).
Adopted under notice filed as WSR 06-16-116 on August 1, 2006.
Number of Sections Adopted in Order to Comply with Federal Statute: New 0, Amended 0, Repealed 0; Federal Rules or Standards: New 0, Amended 0, Repealed 0; or Recently Enacted State Statutes: New 1, Amended 1, Repealed 0.
Number of Sections Adopted at Request of a Nongovernmental Entity: New 0, Amended 0, Repealed 0.
Number of Sections Adopted on the Agency's Own Initiative: New 0, Amended 0, Repealed 0.
Number of Sections Adopted in Order to Clarify, Streamline, or Reform Agency Procedures: New 0, Amended 0, Repealed 0.
Number of Sections Adopted Using Negotiated Rule Making: New 0, Amended 0, Repealed 0; Pilot Rule Making: New 0, Amended 0, Repealed 0; or Other Alternative Rule Making: New 1, Amended 1, Repealed 0.
Date Adopted: September 15, 2006.
Jeffrey B. Sutro, O.D.
Optometry Board Chair
OTS-8973.2
AMENDATORY SECTION(Amending WSR 96-20-087, filed 10/1/96,
effective 11/1/96)
WAC 246-851-490
Examination and licensure.
To qualify
for licensure in this state a candidate must:
(1) Successfully complete Parts I, II, and III of the
National Board of Examiners in Optometry (NBEO) examinations;
the Part III having been administered and successfully
completed after January 1, 1993((;)).
(2) Applicants who completed the NBEO Part II examination
prior to January 1, 1993, must successfully complete the
International Association of Examiners in Optometry (IAB)
examination in treatment and management of ocular disease((;
and)).
(3) Successfully complete a jurisprudence
questionnaire((; and)).
(4) Be a graduate of a state accredited high school or
equivalent((; and)).
(5) Be a graduate of a school or college of optometry
accredited by the Council on Optometric Education of the
American Optometric Association and approved by the Washington
state board of optometry((; and)).
(6) Be of good moral character.
(7) Effective January 1, 2007, all applicants who receive their initial (first) license in Washington state must meet all the certification requirements of RCW 18.53.010 (2)(a), (b), (c), and (d).
(8) Effective January 1, 2009, all optometrists licensed in Washington state must be certified under RCW 18.53.010 (2)(a) and (b).
(9) Effective January 1, 2011, all optometrists licensed in Washington state must be certified under RCW 18.53.010 (2)(a), (b), (c), and (d).
[Statutory Authority: RCW 18.54.070(2). 96-20-087, § 246-851-490, filed 10/1/96, effective 11/1/96. Statutory Authority: RCW 18.54.070. 95-14-114, § 246-851-490, filed 6/30/95, effective 7/31/95; 92-20-019 (Order 305B), § 246-851-490, filed 9/25/92, effective 10/26/92; 92-06-030 (Order 248B), § 246-851-490, filed 2/26/92, effective 3/28/92.]
(2) To return to active practice from inactive practice, an optometrist must:
(a) Meet the requirements of RCW 18.53.010 (2)(a), (b), (c), and (d);
(b) Provide verification from all jurisdictions in which the applicant holds a license, whether active or inactive, indicating that the applicant is not subject to charges or disciplinary action for unprofessional conduct or impairment; and
(c) Meet the requirements of chapter 246-12 WAC, Part 4.
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