Title of Rule and Other Identifying Information: Optometry examination and licensure requirements; correcting RCW citations in WAC 246-851-490. The board of optometry (board) is proposing amendments to WAC 246-851-490 to correct cross references to subsections in RCW 18.53.010.

Purpose of the Proposal and Its Anticipated Effects, Including Any Changes in Existing Rules: In 2024, the board adopted amendments to WAC 246-851-400, 246-851-410, and 246-851-570 through 246-851-600 in response to the statutory changes made by SSB 5389 (chapter 400, Laws of 2023), codified as RCW 18.53.010. The statutory changes inserted two new subsections resulting in the renumbering of the remaining subsections of the law. Three citations in WAC 246-851-490 were affected by the updates to RCW 18.53.010. Because WAC 246-851-490 was open for a different rule-making project at the time, corrections to the citations could not be included as part of the updates to the rule. The purpose of the proposed amendments are to correct the citations to align with the statute now that the original rule project has concluded.

Reasons Supporting Proposal: The proposed amendments ensure the correct subsections of RCW 18.53.010 are cited in rule. By correcting the citations, applicants for an optometry license will be directed to the correct requirements for licensure. The proposed amendments will avoid confusion regarding the requirements for a license to practice optometry.

Adopts or incorporates by reference without material change federal statutes or regulations, Washington state statutes, rules of other Washington state agencies, shoreline master programs other than those programs governing shorelines of statewide significance, or, as referenced by Washington state law, national consensus codes that generally establish industry standards, if the material adopted or incorporated regulates the same subject matter and conduct as the adopting or incorporating rule.

Explanation of the Reason the Agency Believes the Expedited Rule-Making Process is Appropriate: This expedited proposal is in accordance with RCW 34.05.353 (1)(c) and corrects typographical citation errors in WAC 246-851-490, and in accordance with RCW 34.05.353 (1)(b) because it incorporates without material change RCW 18.53.010 (4)(f).

THIS RULE IS BEING PROPOSED UNDER AN EXPEDITED RULE-MAKING PROCESS THAT WILL ELIMINATE THE NEED FOR THE AGENCY TO HOLD PUBLIC HEARINGS, PREPARE A SMALL BUSINESS ECONOMIC IMPACT STATEMENT, OR PROVIDE RESPONSES TO THE CRITERIA FOR A SIGNIFICANT LEGISLATIVE RULE. IF YOU OBJECT TO THIS USE OF THE EXPEDITED RULE-MAKING PROCESS, YOU MUST EXPRESS YOUR OBJECTIONS IN WRITING AND THEY MUST BE SENT TO Juno Whittaker, Department of Health, P.O. Box 47852, Olympia, WA 98504-7852, phone 564-669-9721, email Optometry@doh.wa.gov, https://fortress.wa.gov/doh/policyreview/, BEGINNING the date and time of this filing, AND RECEIVED BY September 22, 2025, 11:59 p.m.

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.

(3) Be a graduate of a state accredited high school or equivalent.

(4) 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.

(5) Be of good moral character.

(6) 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)))(4)(a), (b), (c), and (d).

(((7) Effective January 1, 2009, all optometrists licensed in Washington state must be certified under RCW 18.53.010 (2)(a) and (b).

(8) Effective January 1, 2011, all optometrists licensed in Washington state must be certified under RCW 18.53.010 (2)(a), (b), (c), and (d).))