citation: BPC § 2987

text:
The amount of the fees prescribed by this chapter shall be determined by the board, and shall be as follows:

(a) The application fee for a psychologist shall be two hundred thirty-six dollars ($236).

(b) The examination and reexamination fees for the examinations shall be the actual cost to the board of developing, purchasing, and grading of each examination, plus the actual cost to the board of administering each examination.

(c) The application fee for the California Psychology Law and Ethics Examination (CPLEE) shall be one hundred twenty-seven dollars ($127).

(d) The initial license fee for a psychologist shall be two hundred thirty-one dollars ($231).

(e) The biennial renewal fee for a psychologist shall be seven hundred ninety-five dollars ($795). The board may adopt regulations to set the fee at a higher amount, up to a maximum of one thousand one hundred dollars ($1,100).

(f) The application fee for registration as a registered psychological associate under Section 2913 shall be four hundred twenty-four dollars ($424).

(g) The annual renewal fee for registration of a psychological associate shall be two hundred twenty-four dollars ($224). The board may adopt regulations to set the fee at a higher amount, up to a maximum of four hundred dollars ($400).

(h) The duplicate license or registration fee is five dollars ($5).

(i) The delinquency fee is 50 percent of the renewal fee for each license type, not to exceed three hundred ninety-seven dollars and fifty cents ($397.50).

(j) The endorsement fee is five dollars ($5).

(k) The file transfer fee is ten dollars ($10).

(l) The registration fee for a psychological testing technician shall be seventy-five dollars ($75).

(m) The annual renewal fee for a psychological testing technician is seventy-five dollars ($75).

(n) The fee to add or change a supervisor for a psychological testing technician is twenty-five dollars ($25).

(o) The fee for fingerprint hard card processing for out-of-state applicants shall be one hundred eighty-four dollars ($184). Applicants shall also pay the actual cost to the board of processing the fingerprint hard card with the Department of Justice and Federal Bureau of Investigation.

(p) The fee for a psychological associate to add or change their supervisor shall be two hundred ten dollars ($210). The fee shall be the actual cost to the board of processing the addition or change.

(q) Notwithstanding any other provision of law, the board may reduce any fee prescribed by this section, when, in its discretion, the board deems it administratively appropriate.

history: (History: Amended by Stats. 2025, Ch. 787, Sec. 48. (SB 775) Effective January 1, 2026.)

article: 7. Revenue


kind: section

code: BPC

text:
(a) In addition to the fees charged pursuant to Section 2987 for the biennial renewal of a license, the board shall collect an additional fee of twenty dollars ($20) at the time of renewal. The board shall transfer this amount to the Controller who shall deposit the funds in the Mental Health Practitioner Education Fund.

(b) This section shall become operative on July 1, 2018.

history: (History: Repealed (in Sec. 1) and added by Stats. 2017, Ch. 557, Sec. 2. (AB 1188) Effective October 7, 2017. Section operative July 1, 2018, by its own provisions.)

division: 2. HEALING ARTS

chapter: 6.6. Psychologists

article: 7. Revenue

path: 2. HEALING ARTS > 6.6. Psychologists > 7. Revenue


text:
Every person licensed under this chapter is exempt from the payment of the renewal fee in any one of the following instances:

While engaged in full-time active service in the Army, Navy, Air Force or Marines, or in the United States Public Health Service, or while a volunteer in the Peace Corps or Vista.

Every person exempted from the payment of the renewal fee by this section shall not engage in any private practice and shall become liable for the fee for the current renewal period upon the completion of his or her period of full-time active service and shall have a period of 60 days after becoming liable within which to pay the fee before the delinquency fee becomes applicable. Any person who completes his or her period of full-time active service within 60 days of the end of a renewal period is exempt from the payment of the renewal fee for that period.

The time spent in that full-time active service or full-time training and active service shall not be included in the computation of the three-year period for renewal of a license provided in Section 2986.

The exemption provided by this section shall not be applicable if the person engages in any practice for compensation other than full-time service in the Army, Navy, Air Force or Marines or in the United States Public Health Service or the Peace Corps or Vista.

history: (History: Amended by Stats. 1996, Ch. 829, Sec. 71. Effective January 1, 1997.)

article: 7. Revenue


citation: BPC § 2988

text: A licensed psychologist who for reasons, including, but not limited to, retirement, ill health, or absence from the state, is not engaged in the practice of psychology, may apply to the board to request that their license be placed on an inactive status. A licensed psychologist who holds an inactive license shall pay a biennial renewal fee, fixed by the board, of two hundred twenty-one dollars ($221). The board may adopt regulations to set the fee at a higher amount, up to a maximum of four hundred dollars ($400). A psychologist holding an inactive license shall be exempt from continuing education requirements specified in Section 2915, but shall otherwise be subject to this chapter and shall not engage in the practice of psychology in this state. Licensees on inactive status who have not committed any acts or crimes constituting grounds for denial of licensure and have completed the continuing education requirements specified in Section 2915 may, upon their request, have their license to practice psychology placed on active status.

history: (History: Amended by Stats. 2023, Ch. 723, Sec. 3. (SB 816) Effective January 1, 2024.)

article: 7. Revenue


text:
(a) The board may issue, upon an application prescribed by the board and payment of a fee not to exceed seventy-five dollars ($75), a retired license to a psychologist who holds a current license issued by the board, or one capable of being renewed, and whose license is not suspended, revoked, or otherwise restricted by the board or subject to discipline under this chapter.

(b) The holder of a retired license issued pursuant to this section shall not engage in any activity for which an active license is required. A psychologist holding a retired license shall be permitted to use the title “psychologist, retired” or “retired psychologist.” The designation of retired shall not be abbreviated in any way.

(c) A retired license shall not be subject to renewal.

(d) The holder of a retired license may apply to obtain an active status license as follows:

(1) If that retired license was issued less than three years prior to the application date, the applicant shall meet all of the following requirements:

(A) Has not committed an act or crime constituting grounds for denial or discipline of a license.

(B) Pays the renewal fee required by this chapter.

(C) Completes the continuing professional development required for the renewal of a license within two years of the date of application for restoration.

(D) Complies with the fingerprint submission requirements established by the board.

(2) Where the applicant has held a retired license for three or more years, the applicant shall do all of the following:

(A) Submit a complete application for a new license.

(B) Take and pass the California Psychology Law and Ethics Examination.

(C) Pay all fees required to obtain a new license.

(D) Comply with the fingerprint submission requirements established by the board.

(E) Be deemed to have met the educational and experience requirements of subdivisions (b) and (c) of Section 2914.

(F) Establish that he or she has not been subject to denial or discipline of a license.

history: (History: Added by Stats. 2016, Ch. 484, Sec. 11. (SB 1193) Effective January 1, 2017.)

article: 7. Revenue


text:
(a) The board may, in its discretion, accept the offer of a surrender of a license. The acceptance of the offer of a surrender shall be in writing.

(b) The license surrender shall be public information.

(c) The holder of the license that was surrendered pursuant to this section may petition the board for reinstatement after a period of not less than one year after the effective date of the acceptance.

(d) The reinstatement proceeding shall be conducted pursuant to Section 2965.

history: (History: Added by Stats. 2021, Ch. 647, Sec. 20. (SB 801) Effective January 1, 2022.)

article: 7. Revenue


citation: BPC § 2989

text: The fees in this article shall be fixed by the board and shall be set forth with the regulations which are duly adopted under this chapter.

history: (History: Amended by Stats. 1989, Ch. 888, Sec. 44.)

article: 7. Revenue


citation: BPC § 2995

text: A psychological corporation is a corporation that is authorized to render professional services, as defined in Section 13401 of the Corporations Code, so long as that corporation and its shareholders, officers, directors, and employees rendering professional services who are licensed as psychologists, podiatrists, registered nurses, optometrists, marriage and family therapists, professional clinical counselors, clinical social workers, chiropractors, acupuncturists, physicians and surgeons, naturopathic doctors, or midwives are in compliance with the Moscone-Knox Professional Corporation Act, this article, and all other statutes and regulations now or hereafter enacted or adopted pertaining to that corporation and the conduct of its affairs.

history: (History: Amended by Stats. 2025, Ch. 787, Sec. 49. (SB 775) Effective January 1, 2026.)

article: 9. Psychological Corporations

path: 2. HEALING ARTS > 6.6. Psychologists > 9. Psychological Corporations


citation: BPC § 2996

text: It shall constitute unprofessional conduct and a violation of this chapter for any person licensed under this chapter to violate, attempt to violate, directly or indirectly, or assist in or abet the violation of, or conspire to violate, any provision or term of this article, the Moscone-Knox Professional Corporation Act, or any regulations duly adopted under those laws.

history: (History: Repealed and added by Stats. 1980, Ch. 1314, Sec. 15.)

article: 9. Psychological Corporations


text: A psychological corporation shall not do or fail to do any act the doing of which or the failure to do which would constitute unprofessional conduct under any statute or regulation now or hereafter in effect. In the conduct of its practice, it shall observe and be bound by such statutes and regulations to the same extent as a person licensed under this chapter.

history: (History: Added by Stats. 1980, Ch. 1314, Sec. 15.)

article: 9. Psychological Corporations


text: The income of a psychological corporation attributable to professional services rendered while a shareholder is a disqualified person, as defined in Section 13401 of the Corporations Code, shall not in any manner accrue to the benefit of such shareholder or his or her shares in the psychological corporation.

article: 9. Psychological Corporations


citation: BPC § 2997

text: Except as provided in Sections 13401.5 and 13403 of the Corporations Code, each shareholder, director and officer of a psychological corporation, except an assistant secretary and an assistant treasurer, shall be a licensed person as defined in Section 13401 of the Corporations Code.

article: 9. Psychological Corporations


citation: BPC § 2998

text: The name of a psychological corporation and any name or names under which it may render professional services shall contain one of the words specified in subdivision (c) of Section 2902, and wording or abbreviations denoting corporate existence.

article: 9. Psychological Corporations


citation: BPC § 2999

text: The board may adopt and enforce regulations to carry out the purposes and objectives of this article, including regulations requiring (a) that the bylaws of a psychological corporation shall include a provision whereby the capital stock of that corporation owned by a disqualified person, as defined in Section 13401 of the Corporations Code, or a deceased person, shall be sold to the corporation or to the remaining shareholders of that corporation within any time as those regulations may provide, and (b) that a psychological corporation shall provide adequate security by insurance or otherwise for claims against it by its patients or clients arising out of the rendering of professional services.

history: (History: Amended by Stats. 1989, Ch. 888, Sec. 46.)

article: 9. Psychological Corporations


text:
(a) “Psychological testing technician” means an individual not otherwise authorized to provide psychological and neuropsychological testing under this chapter who is registered with the board and is authorized to perform the following functions:

(1) Administer and score standardized objective psychological and neuropsychological tests.

(2) Observe and describe clients’ test behavior and test responses.

(b) A psychological testing technician shall not perform the following functions:

(1) Select tests or versions of tests.

(2) Interpret test results.

(3) Write test reports.

(4) Provide test feedback to clients.

(c) A psychological testing technician shall only use the titles “psychological testing technician” or “neuropsychological testing technician.” A psychological testing technician shall not use the title “psychologist” or any title incorporating the word “psychologist.”

(d) Failure to comply with this section shall be grounds for disciplinary action.

history: (History: Added by Stats. 2022, Ch. 622, Sec. 1. (SB 1428) Effective January 1, 2023. Operative January 1, 2024, pursuant to Section 2999.105.)

article: 10. Psychological Testing Technicians

path: 2. HEALING ARTS > 6.6. Psychologists > 10. Psychological Testing Technicians


text:
To register as a psychological testing technician, a person shall submit the following to the board:

(a) An application that includes the following information:

(1) The applicant’s name, identification, and contact information.

(2) The applicant’s supervisor’s name, license number, and contact information.

(3) Attestation under penalty of perjury that the information provided on the application is true and correct.

(b) (1) Proof of completion of a bachelor’s degree or graduate degree, or proof of current enrollment in a graduate degree program, from a regionally accredited university, college, or professional school, in any of the following areas:

(A) Psychology, including any field of specialization.

(B) Education, with the field of specialization in educational psychology, counseling psychology, or school psychology.

(C) Neuroscience, cognitive science, or behavioral science, including any field of specialization.

(2) The board shall make the final determination as to whether a degree or degree program meets the requirements of this subdivision.

(c) (1) Proof of completion of a minimum of 80 hours total of education and training relating to psychological or neuropsychological test administration and scoring that includes the following:

(A) At least 20 hours of direct observation, including at least 10 hours of direct observation of a licensed psychologist administering and scoring tests, and at least 10 hours of direct observation of either a licensed psychologist or registered psychological testing technician administering and scoring tests.

(B) At least 40 hours of administering and scoring tests in the presence of a licensed psychologist.

(C) At least 20 hours of education on topics including law and ethics, confidentiality, and best practices for test administration and scoring.

(2) Education and training may be obtained by doing any combination of the following:

(A) Participating in individual or group instruction provided by a licensed psychologist.

(B) Engaging in independent learning directed by a licensed psychologist.

(C) Completing graduate-level coursework at a regionally accredited university, college, or professional school.

(D) Taking continuing education courses from organizations with board approval pursuant to Section 2915.

(3) Nothing in this chapter shall prevent a person engaged in gaining the experience required by this subdivision from administering and scoring psychological and neuropsychological tests.

(d) The registration fee for a psychological testing technician as specified in Section 2987.

(e) Electronic fingerprint image scans for a state- and federal-level criminal offender record information search conducted through the Department of Justice.

history: (History: Amended by Stats. 2025, Ch. 787, Sec. 50. (SB 775) Effective January 1, 2026.)

article: 10. Psychological Testing Technicians


text:
(a) All psychological testing technician services shall be provided under the direct supervision of a licensed psychologist.

(b) A supervisor of psychological testing technicians shall satisfy all of the following requirements:

(1) Be employed by, or contracted to, the same work setting as the psychological testing technician they are supervising.

(2) Be available in-person, by telephone, or by other appropriate technology at all times the psychological testing technician provides services.

(3) Be responsible for all of the following:

(A) Ensuring that the extent, kind, and quality of the services that the psychological testing technician provides are consistent with the psychological testing technician’s training and experience.

(B) Monitoring the psychological testing technician’s compliance with applicable laws and regulations.

(C) Informing the client prior to the rendering of services by a psychological testing technician that the technician is registered as a psychological testing technician and is functioning under the direction and supervision of the supervisor.

(c) A psychological testing technician shall notify the board of any change to their direct supervisor. To add or change a supervisor, a psychological testing technician shall submit the following:

(1) Registrant’s name, registration number, and contact information.

(2) New or additional supervisor’s name, license number, and contact information.

(3) Current supervisor’s name, license number, and contact information.

(4) Attestation under penalty of perjury that the information provided on the application is true and correct.

(5) The fee to add or change a supervisor for a psychological testing technician, as specified in Section 2987.

article: 10. Psychological Testing Technicians


text:
(a) A psychological testing technician shall renew their registration annually by submitting the following to the board:

(1) The registrant’s name, registration number, and contact information.

(2) The supervisor’s name, license number, and contact information.

(3) Disclosure as to whether or not the registrant has been convicted of any violation of the law in this or any other state, the United States or its territories, military court, or other country, omitting traffic infractions under five hundred dollars ($500) not involving alcohol, a dangerous drug, or a controlled substance, since the issuance or previous renewal of their registration.

(4) Disclosure as to whether or not the registrant has had a license or registration disciplined by a governmental agency or other disciplinary body, since the issuance or previous renewal of their registration. Discipline includes, but is not limited to, suspension, revocation, voluntary surrender, probation, reprimand, or any other restriction on a license or registration held.

(5) Attestation under penalty of perjury that the information provided on the application is true and correct.

(6) The annual renewal fee for a psychological testing technician as specified in Section 2987.

(b) Without renewal, a psychological testing technician registration expires annually. If the registration expires, then the person who was registered:

(1) Shall not provide psychological testing technician services.

(2) Shall renew within 60 days after its expiration and pay the renewal and delinquency fees as specified in Section 2987, or the registration shall be canceled and a new application for registration shall be submitted to the board.

article: 10. Psychological Testing Technicians


text: Nothing in this article shall be construed to expand or constrict the scope of practice of a person who is licensed under any other provision of this division.

article: 10. Psychological Testing Technicians


text: This article shall become operative on January 1, 2024.

history: (History: Added by Stats. 2022, Ch. 622, Sec. 1. (SB 1428) Effective January 1, 2023.)

article: 10. Psychological Testing Technicians


text:
(a) The Board of Psychology shall require an applicant for registration as a psychological testing technician, as defined in Section 2999.100, to undergo a fingerprint-based state and national criminal history background check, pursuant to Section 144.

(b) The board shall submit to the Department of Justice fingerprint images and related information for individuals specified in subdivision (a) who are subject to a state and national criminal history background check, pursuant to subdivision (u) of Section 11105 of the Penal Code. The Department of Justice shall provide a state- and federal-level response pursuant to subdivision (p) of Section 11105 of the Penal Code.

history: (History: Added by Stats. 2025, Ch. 113, Sec. 13. (SB 160) Effective September 17, 2025.)

article: 10. Psychological Testing Technicians


citation: BPC § 3000

text: This chapter constitutes the chapter on optometry. It shall be known and may be cited as the Optometry Practice Act.

history: (History: Repealed and added by Stats. 2004, Ch. 426, Sec. 2. Effective January 1, 2005.)

chapter: 7. Optometry

article: 1. General Provisions

path: 2. HEALING ARTS > 7. Optometry > 1. General Provisions


citation: BPC § 3001

text: As used in this chapter, an ophthalmic lens is any lens which has a spherical, cylindrical, or prismatic power or value.

history: (History: Amended by Stats. 2021, Ch. 630, Sec. 75. (AB 1534) Effective January 1, 2022.)

article: 1. General Provisions


citation: BPC § 3002

text: As used in this chapter, a trial frame or test lens is any frame or lens used in testing the eye, which is not sold and is not for sale to clients.

history: (History: Added by Stats. 1937, Ch. 423.)

article: 1. General Provisions


citation: BPC § 3003

text: As used in this chapter, “optometrist” means a natural person who is licensed to practice optometry in this state under the authority of this chapter.

history: (History: Amended by Stats. 2025, Ch. 788, Sec. 19. (SB 776) Effective January 1, 2026.)

article: 1. General Provisions


citation: BPC § 3004

text:
(a) As used in this chapter, “board” means the California State Board of Optometry.

(b) Any reference in this code or any other code to the “State Board of Optometry” shall be deemed to refer to the “California State Board of Optometry.”

history: (History: Amended by Stats. 2021, Ch. 630, Sec. 76. (AB 1534) Effective January 1, 2022.)

article: 1. General Provisions


text: As used in this chapter, “person” means a natural person, partnership, corporation, limited liability company, or other organization, or any combination thereof.

history: (History: Added by Stats. 2025, Ch. 788, Sec. 20. (SB 776) Effective January 1, 2026.)

article: 1. General Provisions


citation: BPC § 3005

text: As used in this chapter, “place of practice” means any location where optometry is practiced.

history: (History: Added by Stats. 2004, Ch. 426, Sec. 5. Effective January 1, 2005.)

article: 1. General Provisions


citation: BPC § 3006

text: As used in this chapter, the term “advertise” and any of its variants include the use of a newspaper, magazine, the Internet, or other publication, book, notice, circular, pamphlet, letter, handbill, poster, bill, sign, placard, card, label, tag, window display, store sign, radio announcement, or any other means or methods now or hereafter employed to bring to the attention of the public the practice of optometry or the prescribing, fitting, or sale, in connection therewith, of lenses, frames, or other accessories or appurtenances.

history: (History: Amended by Stats. 2017, Ch. 564, Sec. 2. (AB 1708) Effective January 1, 2018.)

article: 1. General Provisions


citation: BPC § 3007

text: An optometrist shall retain a patient’s records for a minimum of seven years from the date he or she completes treatment of the patient. If the patient is a minor, the patient’s records shall be retained for a minimum of seven years from the date he or she completes treatment of the patient and at least until the patient reaches 19 years of age.

history: (History: Added by Stats. 2007, Ch. 276, Sec. 1. Effective January 1, 2008.)

article: 1. General Provisions


text: Protection of the public shall be the highest priority for the California State Board of Optometry in exercising its licensing, regulatory, and disciplinary functions. Whenever the protection of the public is inconsistent with other interests sought to be promoted, the protection of the public shall be paramount.

history: (History: Amended by Stats. 2021, Ch. 630, Sec. 77. (AB 1534) Effective January 1, 2022.)

article: 2. Administration

path: 2. HEALING ARTS > 7. Optometry > 2. Administration


text:
(a) There is in the Department of Consumer Affairs a California State Board of Optometry in which the enforcement of this chapter is vested. The board consists of 11 members, 5 of whom shall be public members and one of the nonpublic members shall be an individual registered as a dispensing optician, spectacle lens dispenser, or contact lens dispenser. The registered dispensing member shall be registered pursuant to Chapter 5.5 (commencing with Section 2550) and in good standing with the board.

Six members of the board shall constitute a quorum.

(b) The board shall, with respect to conducting investigations, inquiries, and disciplinary actions and proceedings, have the authority previously vested in the board as created pursuant to former Section 3010. The board may enforce any disciplinary actions undertaken by that board.

(c) This section shall remain in effect only until January 1, 2030, and as of that date is repealed. Notwithstanding any other law, the repeal of this section renders the board subject to review by the appropriate policy committees of the Legislature.

history: (History: Amended by Stats. 2025, Ch. 788, Sec. 21. (SB 776) Effective January 1, 2026. Repealed as of January 1, 2030, by its own provisions.)

article: 2. Administration


citation: BPC § 3011

text:
(a) Members of the board, except the public members and the registered dispensing member, shall be appointed only from persons who are registered optometrists of the State of California and actually engaged in the practice of optometry at the time of appointment or who are members of the faculty of a school of optometry. The public members shall not be a licentiate of the board or of any other board under this division or of any board referred to in Sections 1000 and 3600.

No person except the registered dispensing member, including the public members, shall be eligible to membership on the board who is a stockholder in or owner of or a member of the board of trustees of any school of optometry or who shall be financially interested, directly or indirectly, in any concern manufacturing or dealing in optical supplies at wholesale.

No person shall serve as a member of the board for more than two consecutive terms.

A member of the faculty of a school of optometry may be appointed to the board; however, no more than two faculty members of schools of optometry may be on the board at any one time. Faculty members of the board shall not serve as public members.

(b) The amendments to this section by the act adding this subdivision shall apply to appointments made on or after January 1, 2016.

history: (History: Amended by Stats. 2016, Ch. 31, Sec. 5. (SB 836) Effective June 27, 2016.)

article: 2. Administration


citation: BPC § 3013

text:
(a) Each member of the board shall hold office for a term of four years, and shall serve until the appointment and qualification of his or her successor or until one year shall have elapsed since the expiration of the term for which he or she was appointed, whichever first occurs.

(b) Vacancies occurring shall be filled by appointment for the unexpired term.

(c) The Governor shall appoint three of the public members, five members qualified as provided in Section 3011, and the registered dispensing member as provided in Section 3010.5. The Senate Committee on Rules and the Speaker of the Assembly shall each appoint a public member.

(d) No board member serving between January 1, 2000, and June 1, 2002, inclusive, shall be eligible for reappointment.

(e) For initial appointments made on or after January 1, 2003, one of the public members appointed by the Governor and two of the professional members shall serve terms of one year. One of the public members appointed by the Governor and two of the professional members shall serve terms of three years. The remaining public member appointed by the Governor and the remaining two professional members shall serve terms of four years. The public members appointed by the Senate Committee on Rules and the Speaker of the Assembly shall each serve for a term of four years.

(f) The initial appointment of a registered dispensing optician, spectacle lens dispenser, or contact lens dispenser member shall replace the optometrist member whose term expired on June 1, 2015.

(g) The amendments to this section by the act adding this subdivision shall apply to appointments made on or after January 1, 2016.

history: (History: Amended by Stats. 2016, Ch. 31, Sec. 6. (SB 836) Effective June 27, 2016.)

article: 2. Administration


citation: BPC § 3014

text: The board shall elect from its membership a president, a vice president, and a secretary who shall hold office for one year or until the election and qualification of a successor.

history: (History: Amended by Stats. 2004, Ch. 426, Sec. 9. Effective January 1, 2005.)

article: 2. Administration


text:
(a) The board may appoint a person exempt from civil service who shall be designated as an executive officer and who shall exercise the powers and perform the duties delegated by the board and vested in the executive officer by this chapter.

(b) This section shall remain in effect only until January 1, 2030, and as of that date is repealed.

history: (History: Amended by Stats. 2025, Ch. 788, Sec. 22. (SB 776) Effective January 1, 2026. Repealed as of January 1, 2030, by its own provisions.)

article: 2. Administration


citation: BPC § 3016

text: Each member of the board shall receive a per diem and expenses as provided in Section 103.

history: (History: Amended by Stats. 2004, Ch. 426, Sec. 11. Effective January 1, 2005.)

article: 2. Administration


citation: BPC § 3017

text:
The board shall hold regular meetings every calendar quarter.

Special meetings shall be held upon request of a majority of the members of the board or upon the call of the president.

history: (History: Amended by Stats. 2004, Ch. 426, Sec. 12. Effective January 1, 2005.)

article: 2. Administration


citation: BPC § 3018

text: The board shall keep an accurate record of all of its licensees, proceedings, and meetings.

history: (History: Amended by Stats. 2004, Ch. 426, Sec. 13. Effective January 1, 2005.)

article: 2. Administration


citation: BPC § 3019

text: The board shall keep a record of all prosecutions for violations of this chapter and of all applications for licensure and examination.

history: (History: Amended by Stats. 2004, Ch. 426, Sec. 14. Effective January 1, 2005.)

article: 2. Administration


citation: BPC § 3020

text:
(a) There shall be established under the California State Board of Optometry a dispensing optician committee to advise and make recommendations to the board regarding the regulation of dispensing opticians, spectacle lens dispensers, and contact lens dispensers, registered pursuant to Chapter 5.5 (commencing with Section 2550). The committee shall consist of three members, one of whom shall be a registered dispensing optician registered pursuant to Chapter 5.5 (commencing with Section 2550), one of whom shall be a spectacle lens dispenser or contact lens dispenser registered pursuant to Chapter 5.5 (commencing with Section 2550), one of whom shall be either a public member or an optometrist licensed pursuant to this chapter. The appointments to the committee shall be made by the board and at least one appointed committee member shall be a sitting board member who meets the qualifications described in this section. The board shall stagger the terms of the initial members appointed. The filling of vacancies on the committee shall be made by the board.

(b) The committee shall be responsible for:

(1) Recommending registration standards and criteria for the registration of dispensing opticians, nonresident contact lens sellers, spectacle lens dispensers, and contact lens dispensers.

(2) Reviewing of the disciplinary guidelines relating to registered dispensing opticians, nonresident contact lens sellers, spectacle lens dispensers, and contact lens dispensers.

(3) Recommending to the board changes or additions to regulations adopted pursuant to Chapter 5.5 (commencing with Section 2550).

(4) Carrying out and implementing all responsibilities and duties imposed upon it pursuant to this chapter or as delegated to it by the board.

(c) The committee shall meet at least twice a year and as needed in order to conduct its business.

(d) Recommendations by the committee regarding scope of practice or regulatory changes or additions shall be approved, modified, or rejected by the board within 90 days of submission of the recommendation to the board. If the board rejects or significantly modifies the intent or scope of the recommendation, the committee may request that the board provide its reasons in writing for rejecting or significantly modifying the recommendation, which shall be provided by the board within 30 days of the request.

(e) Committee members shall serve a term of four years except for the initial staggered terms. A member may be reappointed, but no person shall serve as a member of the committee for more than two consecutive terms.

history: (History: Amended by Stats. 2025, Ch. 788, Sec. 23. (SB 776) Effective January 1, 2026.)

article: 2. Administration


citation: BPC § 3021

text: The board shall have rulemaking authority with respect to Chapter 5.5 (commencing with Section 2550) in accordance with Section 3025. Regulations adopted pursuant to Chapter 5.5 (commencing with Section 2550) by the Medical Board of California prior to the effective date of this section shall continue to be valid, except that any reference to the board or division contained therein shall be construed to mean the California State Board of Optometry, unless the context determines otherwise.

history: (History: Amended by Stats. 2021, Ch. 630, Sec. 81. (AB 1534) Effective January 1, 2022.)

article: 2. Administration


citation: BPC § 3023

text: For the purposes of this chapter, the board shall accredit schools, colleges, and universities in or out of this state providing optometric education, that it finds giving a sufficient program of study for the preparation of optometrists.

history: (History: Amended by Stats. 2004, Ch. 426, Sec. 18. Effective January 1, 2005.)

article: 2. Administration


text:
(a) The nonresident contact lens seller program established under Chapter 5.45 (commencing with Section 2546) and the registered dispensing optician, spectacle lens dispensing, and contact lens dispensing programs established under Chapter 5.5 (commencing with Section 2550) are hereby transferred from the jurisdiction of the Medical Board of California and placed under the jurisdiction of the State Board of Optometry.

(b) All the duties, powers, purposes, responsibilities, and jurisdictions of the Medical Board of California under Chapter 5.45 (commencing with Section 2546) and Chapter 5.5 (commencing with Section 2550) shall be transferred to the State Board of Optometry.

(c) For the performance of the duties and the exercise of the powers vested in the board under Chapter 5.45 (commencing with Section 2546) and Chapter 5.5 (commencing with Section 2550), the State Board of Optometry shall have possession and control of all records, papers, offices, equipment, supplies, or other property, real or personal, held for the benefit or use by the Medical Board of California.

history: (History: Added by Stats. 2015, Ch. 405, Sec. 16. (AB 684) Effective January 1, 2016.)

article: 2. Administration


citation: BPC § 3024

text:
The board may grant or refuse to grant an optometrist license as provided in this chapter and may revoke or suspend the license of any optometrist for any of the causes specified in this chapter.

It shall have the power to administer oaths and to take testimony in the exercise of these functions.

history: (History: Amended by Stats. 2013, Ch. 473, Sec. 4. (SB 821) Effective January 1, 2014.)

article: 2. Administration


text:
(a) Information sent from an email account of the board to a valid email address provided by an applicant, registrant, or licensee is presumed to have been delivered to the provided email address.

(b) In the interest of protecting the privacy of applicants, registrants, and licensees, an email address provided by an applicant, registrant, or licensee to the board pursuant to paragraph (14) of subdivision (a) of Section 3057 or subdivision (d) of Section 2552 shall not be considered a public record and shall not be disclosed pursuant to Section 27 or pursuant to a request under the California Public Records Act (Division 10 (commencing with Section 7920.000) of Title 1 of the Government Code), unless required pursuant to a court order by a court of competent jurisdiction.

(c) For purposes of this chapter, “valid email address” means an email address at which the applicant, registrant, or licensee is currently receiving emails at the time of application for licensure, registration, or renewal.

history: (History: Added by Stats. 2025, Ch. 788, Sec. 24. (SB 776) Effective January 1, 2026.)

article: 2. Administration


citation: BPC § 3025

text: The board may make and promulgate rules and regulations governing procedure of the board, the admission of applicants for examination for a license as an optometrist, and the practice of optometry. All of those rules and regulations shall be in accordance with and not inconsistent with the provisions of this chapter. The rules and regulations shall be adopted, amended, or repealed in accordance with the provisions of the Administrative Procedure Act.

history: (History: Amended by Stats. 2013, Ch. 473, Sec. 5. (SB 821) Effective January 1, 2014.)

article: 2. Administration


text: The board may adopt rules and regulations that are, in its judgment, reasonable and necessary to ensure that optometrists have the knowledge to adequately protect the public health and safety by establishing educational requirements for admission to the examinations for licensure.

history: (History: Amended by Stats. 2010, Ch. 653, Sec. 12. (SB 1489) Effective January 1, 2011.)

article: 2. Administration


text: The board may adopt rules and regulations that are, in its judgment, reasonable and necessary to ensure that optometrists have the knowledge to adequately protect the public health and safety by governing its accreditation of schools, colleges, and universities that provide optometric education. In promulgating these rules and regulations, or in extending accreditation, the board may, to the extent that it deems consistent with the purposes of this chapter, recognize, accept, or adopt the advice, recommendation, accreditation, or approval of a nationally recognized accrediting agency or organization.

history: (History: Added by Stats. 2004, Ch. 426, Sec. 21. Effective January 1, 2005.)

article: 2. Administration


text: The board may adopt regulations prescribing minimum standards governing the optometric services offered or performed, the equipment, or the sanitary conditions, in all offices for the practice of optometry, which are necessary to protect the health and safety of persons availing themselves of the services offered or performed in such offices.

history: (History: Added by Stats. 1963, Ch. 1464.)

article: 2. Administration


text: The board may adopt regulations clarifying the level of training and the level of supervision of assistants.

history: (History: Added by Stats. 2002, Ch. 1150, Sec. 20. Effective January 1, 2003.)

article: 2. Administration


text: Except as provided in Sections 3102 and 3103, nothing contained in Section 651.3 shall be construed as authorizing the board to adopt, amend, or repeal rules and regulations relating to price fixing or advertising of commodities.

history: (History: Amended by Stats. 2005, Ch. 393, Sec. 1. Effective January 1, 2006.)

article: 2. Administration


citation: BPC § 3026

text: The board may adopt and use a common seal and establish a permanent office or offices.

history: (History: Added by Stats. 1937, Ch. 423.)

article: 2. Administration


citation: BPC § 3027

text:
The board shall employ an executive officer and other necessary assistance in the carrying out of the provisions of this chapter.

The executive officer shall perform the duties delegated by the board and shall be responsible to it for the accomplishment of those duties. The executive officer shall not be a member of the board. With the approval of the Director of Finance, the board shall fix the salary of the executive officer. The executive officer shall be entitled to traveling and other necessary expenses in the performance of the executive officer’s duties.

history: (History: Amended by Stats. 2021, Ch. 630, Sec. 82. (AB 1534) Effective January 1, 2022.)

article: 2. Administration


citation: BPC § 3028

text: The Attorney General shall act as the legal counsel for the board and his or her services shall be a charge against it.

history: (History: Added by Stats. 2004, Ch. 426, Sec. 26. Effective January 1, 2005.)

article: 2. Administration


citation: BPC § 3030

text:
(a) The board, or its designated agent, may at any time inspect either of the following:

(1) Any premise in which optometric services, as defined in Section 3041, are provided or reasonably suspected of being provided.

(2) Any premise in which the services of dispensing, adjusting, or fitting of contact lenses or spectacle lenses are provided or reasonably suspected of being provided.

(b) Nothing in this section shall be construed to grant the board jurisdiction over the practice of medicine.

history: (History: Amended by Stats. 2017, Ch. 564, Sec. 5. (AB 1708) Effective January 1, 2018.)

article: 2. Administration


citation: BPC § 3040

text:
(a) It is unlawful for a person to engage in the practice of optometry or to advertise or hold himself or herself out as an optometrist without a valid, unrevoked California optometrist license. The practice of optometry includes the performing or controlling of any acts set forth in Section 3041.

(b) In any prosecution for a violation of this section, the use of test cards, test lenses, or of trial frames is prima facie evidence of the practice of optometry.

history: (History: Amended by Stats. 2018, Ch. 703, Sec. 24. (SB 1491) Effective January 1, 2019.)

article: 3. Admission to Practice

path: 2. HEALING ARTS > 7. Optometry > 3. Admission to Practice


citation: BPC § 3041

text:
(a) The practice of optometry includes the diagnosis, prevention, treatment, and management of disorders and dysfunctions of the visual system, as authorized by this chapter, as well as the provision of habilitative or rehabilitative optometric services, and is the doing of any or all of the following:

(1) The examination of the human eyes and their adnexa, including through the use of all topical and oral diagnostic pharmaceutical agents that are not controlled substances, and the analysis of the human vision system, either subjectively or objectively.

(2) The determination of the powers or range of human vision and the accommodative and refractive states of the human eyes, including the scope of their functions and general condition.

(3) The prescribing, using, or directing the use of any optical device in connection with ocular exercises, visual training, vision training, or orthoptics.

(4) The prescribing, fitting, or adaptation of contact and spectacle lenses to, the human eyes, including lenses that may be classified as drugs or devices by any law of the United States or of this state, and diagnostic or therapeutic contact lenses that incorporate a medication or therapy the optometrist is certified to prescribe or provide.

(5) For an optometrist certified pursuant to Section 3041.3, diagnosing and preventing conditions and diseases of the human eyes and their adnexa, and treating nonmalignant conditions and diseases of the anterior segment of the human eyes and their adnexa, including ametropia and presbyopia:

(A) Using or prescribing, including for rational off-label purposes, topical and oral prescription and nonprescription therapeutic pharmaceutical agents that are not controlled substances and are not antiglaucoma agents or limited or excluded by subdivision (b). For purposes of this section, “controlled substance” has the same meaning as used in the California Uniform Controlled Substances Act (Division 10 (commencing with Section 11000) of the Health and Safety Code) and the United States Uniform Controlled Substances Act (21 U.S.C. Sec. 801 et seq.).

(B) Prescribing the oral analgesic controlled substance codeine with compounds, hydrocodone with compounds, and tramadol as listed in the California Uniform Controlled Substances Act (Division 10 (commencing with Section 11000) of the Health and Safety Code) and the United States Uniform Controlled Substances Act (21 U.S.C. Sec. 801 et seq.), limited to three days, with referral to an ophthalmologist if the pain persists.

(C) If also certified under subdivision (c), using or prescribing topical and oral antiglaucoma agents for the medical treatment of all primary open-angle, exfoliation, pigmentary, and steroid-induced glaucomas in persons 18 years of age or over. In the case of steroid-induced glaucoma, the prescriber of the steroid medication shall be promptly notified if the prescriber did not refer the patient to the optometrist for treatment.

(D) If also certified under subdivision (d), independent initiation and administration of immunizations for influenza, herpes zoster virus, pneumococcus, and SARS-CoV-2 in compliance with recommendations adopted pursuant to Section 120164 of the Health and Safety Code in persons 18 years of age or older.

(E) Utilizing the following techniques and instrumentation necessary for the diagnosis of conditions and diseases of the eye and adnexa:

(i) Laboratory tests or examinations ordered from an outside facility.

(ii) Laboratory tests or examinations performed in a laboratory with a certificate of waiver under the federal Clinical Laboratory Improvement Amendments of 1988 (CLIA) (42 U.S.C. Sec. 263a; Public Law 100-578), which shall also be allowed for:

(I) Detecting indicators of possible systemic disease that manifests in the eye for the purpose of facilitating appropriate referral to or consultation with a physician and surgeon.

(II) Detecting the presence of SARS-CoV-2 virus.

(iii) Skin testing performed in an office to diagnose ocular allergies, limited to the superficial layer of the skin.

(iv) X-rays ordered from an outside facility.

(v) Other imaging studies ordered from an outside facility subject to prior consultation with an appropriate physician and surgeon.

(vi) Other imaging studies performed in an office, including those that utilize laser or ultrasound technology, but excluding those that utilize radiation.

(F) Performing the following procedures, which are excluded from restrictions imposed on the performance of surgery by paragraph (6) of subdivision (b), unless explicitly indicated:

(i) Corneal scraping with cultures.

(ii) Debridement of corneal epithelium not associated with band keratopathy.

(iii) Mechanical epilation.

(iv) Collection of blood by skin puncture or venipuncture for laboratory testing authorized by this subdivision.

(v) Suture removal subject to comanagement requirements in paragraph (7) of subdivision (b).

(vi) Treatment or removal of sebaceous cysts by expression.

(vii) Lacrimal punctal occlusion using plugs, or placement of a stent or similar device in a lacrimal canaliculus intended to deliver a medication the optometrist is certified to prescribe or provide.

(viii) Foreign body and staining removal from the cornea, eyelid, and conjunctiva with any appropriate instrument. Removal of corneal foreign bodies and any related stain shall, as relevant, be limited to that which is nonperforating, no deeper than the midstroma, and not reasonably anticipated to require surgical repair.

(ix) Lacrimal irrigation and dilation in patients 12 years of age or over, excluding probing of the nasolacrimal tract. The board shall certify any optometrist who graduated from an accredited school of optometry before May 1, 2000, to perform this procedure after submitting proof of satisfactory completion of 10 procedures under the supervision of an ophthalmologist as confirmed by the ophthalmologist. Any optometrist who graduated from an accredited school of optometry on or after May 1, 2000, shall be exempt from the certification requirement contained in this paragraph.

(x) Administration of oral fluorescein for the purpose of ocular angiography.

(xi) Intravenous injection for the purpose of performing ocular angiography at the direction of an ophthalmologist as part of an active treatment plan in a setting where a physician and surgeon is immediately available.

(xii) Use of noninvasive devices delivering intense pulsed light therapy or low-level light therapy that do not rely on laser technology, limited to treatment of conditions and diseases of the adnexa.

(xiii) Use of an intranasal stimulator in conjunction with treatment of dry eye syndrome.

(G) Using additional noninvasive medical devices or technology that:

(i) Have received a United States Food and Drug Administration approved indication for the diagnosis or treatment of a condition or disease authorized by this chapter. A licensee shall successfully complete any clinical training imposed by a related manufacturer prior to using any of those noninvasive medical devices or technologies.

(ii) Have been approved by the board through regulation for the rational treatment of a condition or disease authorized by this chapter. Any regulation under this paragraph shall require a licensee to successfully complete an appropriate amount of clinical training to qualify to use each noninvasive medical device or technology approved by the board pursuant to this paragraph.

(b) Exceptions or limitations to the provisions of subdivision (a) are as follows:

(1) Treatment of the following is excluded from the practice of optometry in a patient under 18 years of age, unless explicitly allowed otherwise:

(A) Anterior segment inflammation, which shall not exclude treatment of:

(i) The conjunctiva.

(ii) Nonmalignant ocular surface disease, including dry eye syndrome.

(iii) Contact lens-related inflammation of the cornea.

(iv) An infection of the cornea.

(B) Conditions or diseases of the sclera.

(2) Use of any oral prescription steroid anti-inflammatory medication for a patient under 18 years of age shall be done pursuant to a documented, timely consultation with an appropriate physician and surgeon.

(3) Use of any nonantibiotic oral prescription medication for a patient under five years of age shall be done pursuant to a documented, prior consultation with an appropriate physician and surgeon.

(4) The following classes of agents are excluded from the practice of optometry unless they have an explicit United States Food and Drug Administration-approved indication for treatment of a condition or disease authorized under this section:

(A) Antiamoebics.

(B) Antineoplastics.

(C) Coagulation modulators.

(D) Hormone modulators.

(E) Immunomodulators.

(5) The following are excluded from authorization under subparagraph (G) of paragraph (5) of subdivision (a):

(A) A laboratory test or imaging study.

(B) Any noninvasive device or technology that constitutes surgery under paragraph (6).

(6) Performing surgery is excluded from the practice of optometry. “Surgery” means any act in which human tissue is cut, altered, or otherwise infiltrated by any means. It does not mean an act that solely involves the administration or prescribing of a topical or oral therapeutic pharmaceutical.

(7) (A) Treatment with topical and oral medications authorized in subdivision (a) related to an ocular surgery shall be comanaged with the ophthalmologist that performed the surgery, or another ophthalmologist designated by that surgeon, during the customary preoperative and postoperative period for the procedure. For purposes of this subparagraph, this may involve treatment of ocular inflammation in a patient under 18 years of age.

(B) Where published, the postoperative period shall be the “global” period established by the federal Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services, or, if not published, a reasonable period not to exceed 90 days.

(C) Such comanaged treatment may include addressing agreed-upon complications of the surgical procedure occurring in any ocular or adnexal structure with topical and oral medications authorized in subdivision (a). For patients under 18 years of age, this subparagraph shall not apply unless the patient’s primary care provider agrees to allowing comanagement of complications.

(c) An optometrist certified pursuant to Section 3041.3 shall be certified to medically treat authorized glaucomas under this chapter after meeting the following requirements:

(1) For licensees who graduated from an accredited school of optometry on or after May 1, 2008, submission of proof of graduation from that institution.

(2) For licensees who were certified to treat glaucoma under this section before January 1, 2009, submission of proof of completion of that certification program.

(3) For licensees who completed a didactic course of not less than 24 hours in the diagnosis, pharmacological, and other treatment and management of glaucoma, submission of proof of satisfactory completion of the case management requirements for certification established by the board.

(4) For licensees who graduated from an accredited school of optometry on or before May 1, 2008, and who are not described in paragraph (2) or (3), submission of proof of satisfactory completion of the requirements for certification established by the board under Chapter 352 of the Statutes of 2008.

(d) An optometrist certified pursuant to Section 3041.3 shall be certified to administer authorized immunizations, as described in subparagraph (D) of paragraph (5) of subdivision (a), after the optometrist meets all of the following requirements:

(1) Completes an immunization training program endorsed by the federal Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) or the Accreditation Council for Pharmacy Education that, at a minimum, includes hands-on injection technique, clinical evaluation of indications and contraindications of vaccines, and the recognition and treatment of emergency reactions to vaccines, and maintains that training.

(2) Is certified in basic life support.

(3) Complies with all state and federal recordkeeping and reporting requirements, including providing documentation to the patient’s primary care provider and entering information in the appropriate immunization registry designated by the immunization branch of the State Department of Public Health.

(4) Applies for an immunization certificate in accordance with Section 3041.5.

(e) Other than for prescription ophthalmic devices described in subdivision (b) of Section 2541, any dispensing of a therapeutic pharmaceutical agent by an optometrist shall be without charge.

(f) An optometrist licensed under this chapter is subject to the provisions of Section 2290.5 for purposes of practicing telehealth.

(g) For the purposes of this chapter, all of the following definitions shall apply:

(1) “Adnexa” means the eyelids and muscles within the eyelids, the lacrimal system, and the skin extending from the eyebrows inferiorly, bounded by the medial, lateral, and inferior orbital rims, excluding the intraorbital extraocular muscles and orbital contents.

(2) “Anterior segment” means the portion of the eye anterior to the vitreous humor, including its overlying soft tissue coats.

(3) “Ophthalmologist” means a physician and surgeon, licensed under Chapter 5 (commencing with Section 2000) of Division 2 of the Business and Professions Code, specializing in treating eye disease.

(4) “Physician and surgeon” means a physician and surgeon licensed under Chapter 5 (commencing with Section 2000) of Division 2 of the Business and Professions Code.

(5) “Prevention” means use or prescription of an agent or noninvasive device or technology for the purpose of inhibiting the development of an authorized condition or disease.

(6) “Treatment” means use of or prescription of an agent or noninvasive device or technology to alter the course of an authorized condition or disease once it is present.

(h) In an emergency, an optometrist shall stabilize, if possible, and immediately refer any patient who has an acute attack of angle closure to an ophthalmologist.

history: (History: Amended by Stats. 2025, Ch. 105, Sec. 7. (AB 144) Effective September 17, 2025.)

article: 3. Admission to Practice


text: An optometrist diagnosing or treating eye disease shall be held to the same standard of care to which physicians and surgeons and osteopathic physicians and surgeons are held. An optometrist shall consult with and, if necessary, refer to a physician and surgeon or other appropriate health care provider when a situation or condition occurs that is beyond the optometrists’s scope of practice. Consultations, referrals, and notifications required by this section shall be documented in the patient record.

history: (History: Amended by Stats. 2017, Ch. 549, Sec. 3. (AB 443) Effective January 1, 2018.)

article: 3. Admission to Practice


text: The California State Board of Optometry shall, by regulation, establish educational and examination requirements for licensure to ensure the competence of optometrists to practice pursuant to this chapter. Satisfactory completion of the educational and examination requirements shall be a condition for the issuance of an original optometrist license or certifications pursuant to this chapter.

history: (History: Amended by Stats. 2021, Ch. 630, Sec. 83. (AB 1534) Effective January 1, 2022.)

article: 3. Admission to Practice


text:
(a) In order to be certified to use therapeutic pharmaceutical agents and authorized to diagnose and treat the conditions listed in subdivisions (b) and (d) of Section 3041, an optometrist shall apply for a certificate from the board and meet all requirements imposed by the board.

(b) The board shall grant a therapeutic pharmaceutical agents (TPA) certification to any applicant who graduated from a California accredited school of optometry prior to January 1, 1996, is licensed as an optometrist in California, and meets all of the following requirements:

(1) Completes a preceptorship of no less than 65 hours, during a period of not less than two months nor more than one year, with either a TPA-certified optometrist in good standing or a physician and surgeon board-certified in ophthalmology in good standing. The training received during the preceptorship shall be on the diagnosis, treatment, and management of ocular and systemic disease. The preceptor shall certify completion of the preceptorship using a form approved by the board. The individual serving as the preceptor shall schedule no more than three optometrist applicants for each of the required 65 hours of the preceptorship program. This paragraph shall not be construed to limit the total number of optometrist applicants for whom an individual may serve as a preceptor, and is intended only to ensure the quality of the preceptorship by requiring that the preceptor schedule the training so that each applicant optometrist completes each of the 65 hours of the preceptorship while scheduled with no more than two other optometrist applicants.

(2) Successfully completes a minimum of 100 hours of directed and accredited education in ocular and systemic diseases within two years prior to meeting the requirements of paragraph (1).

(3) Passes the National Board of Examiners in Optometry’s “Treatment and Management of Ocular Disease” examination or, in the event this examination is no longer offered, its equivalent, as determined by the California State Board of Optometry.

(c) The board shall grant a therapeutic pharmaceutical agents certification to any applicant who graduated from a California accredited school of optometry on or after January 1, 1996, who is licensed as an optometrist in California, and who passes all sections of the National Board of Examiners in Optometry’s national board examination or its equivalent, as determined by the California State Board of Optometry.

(d) The board shall grant a therapeutic pharmaceutical agents certification to any applicant who is an optometrist who obtained their license outside of California if they meet all of the requirements for an optometrist licensed in California to be granted a therapeutic pharmaceutical agents certification.

(1) In order to obtain a therapeutic pharmaceutical agents certification, any optometrist who obtained their license outside of California and graduated from an accredited school of optometry prior to January 1, 1996, shall be required to fulfill the requirements set forth in subdivision (b). In order for the applicant to be eligible for therapeutic pharmaceutical agents certification, the education the applicant received at the accredited out-of-state school of optometry shall be equivalent to the education provided by any accredited school of optometry in California for persons who graduate before January 1, 1996. For those out-of-state applicants who request that any of the requirements contained in subdivision (b) be waived based on fulfillment of the requirement in another state, if the board determines that the completed requirement was equivalent to that required in California, the requirement shall be waived.

(2) In order to obtain a therapeutic pharmaceutical agents certification, any optometrist who obtained their license outside of California and who graduated from an accredited school of optometry on or after January 1, 1996, shall be required to fulfill the requirements set forth in subdivision (c). In order for the applicant to be eligible for therapeutic pharmaceutical agents certification, the education the applicant received by the accredited out-of-state school of optometry shall be equivalent to the education provided by any accredited school of optometry for persons who graduate on or after January 1, 1996. For those out-of-state applicants who request that any of the requirements contained in subdivision (c) be waived based on fulfillment of the requirement in another state, if the board determines that the completed requirement was equivalent to that required in California, the requirement shall be waived.

(3) The California State Board of Optometry shall decide all issues relating to the equivalency of an optometrist’s education or training under this subdivision.

history: (History: Amended by Stats. 2021, Ch. 630, Sec. 84. (AB 1534) Effective January 1, 2022.)

article: 3. Admission to Practice


text:
(a) A person requesting to be certified to administer immunizations pursuant to Section 3041 shall apply for a certificate from the board pursuant to an application that shall be in substantially the following form: “Application for Optometrists to Administer Immunizations

Per California Business and Professions Code §3041(g), you must have a current California Optometrist License and have a Therapeutic Pharmaceutical Agents (TPA) license type to be eligible for a certificate to administer immunizations. “Immunization” means the administration of immunizations for influenza, herpes zoster virus, pneumococcus, and SARS-CoV-2, consistent with recommendations adopted pursuant to Section 120164 of the Health and Safety Code, for persons 18 years of age or older.

If eligible, you must also meet and maintain the following requirements for an immunization certificate:

1. Complete an immunization training program endorsed by the CDC or the Accreditation Council for Pharmacy Education that, at a minimum, includes hands-on injection technique, clinical evaluation of indications and contraindications of vaccines, and the recognition and treatment of emergency reactions to vaccines, and maintain that training.

2. Be certified in basic life support.

3. Comply with all state and federal recordkeeping and reporting requirements, including providing documentation to the patient’s primary care provider and entering information in the appropriate immunization registry designated by the immunization branch of the California State Department of Public Health.

To apply for an immunization certificate, provide documentation for items #1 and #2 above with your application. All documentation must be provided, or the application will be rejected.

First, Middle, and Last Name:_________________________

Email address:________________________________________

License No.:__________________________________________

1. I declare under penalty of perjury under the laws of the State of California that the information provided on this form and the attached documents or other requested proof of completion is true and accurate. I understand and agree that any misstatements of material facts may be cause for denial of the Application for Optometrists to Administer Immunizations and disciplinary action by the California State Board of Optometry.

AND

2. I declare under penalty of perjury under the laws of the State of California that I will comply with all state and federal recordkeeping and reporting requirements, including providing documentation to the patient’s primary care provider and entering information in the appropriate immunization registry designated by the immunization branch of the California State Department of Public Health.

Optometrist Signature: _________________________________

Date:___________________________________________________” (b) The application for an immunization certificate set forth in subdivision (a) shall be accompanied by an application fee of fifty dollars ($50), or a fee in an amount as determined by the board, not to exceed the reasonable cost of administering this section.

(c) After the effective date of this section, the board may modify the Application for Optometrists to Administer Immunizations set forth in subdivision (a) by regulation in accordance with Section 3025.

history: (History: Amended by Stats. 2025, Ch. 105, Sec. 8. (AB 144) Effective September 17, 2025.)

article: 3. Admission to Practice


citation: BPC § 3042

text:
The provisions of this chapter do not prevent a licensed physician and surgeon from treating or fitting glasses to the human eye, or from doing any act within the practice of optometry, or a licensed physician and surgeon or optometrist from filling prescriptions or orders, nor do they prevent the replacing, duplicating or repairing of ophthalmic lenses, frames, or fittings by persons qualified to write or fill prescriptions or orders under the provisions of this chapter, nor prevent the doing of the mechanical work upon those lenses, frames, or fittings by an assistant, nor prevent an assistant acting under the responsibility and direction of a physician and surgeon or an optometrist from using any optical device in connection with ocular exercises, vision training, or orthoptics, or acts set forth in Section 2544.

It is unlawful for a person to dispense, replace, or duplicate an ophthalmic lens without a prescription or order from a licensed physician and surgeon or optometrist.

history: (History: Amended by Stats. 2004, Ch. 426, Sec. 30. Effective January 1, 2005.)

article: 3. Admission to Practice


text:
(a) The practice of persons actually enrolled as undergraduate or graduate students of optometry in the clinical departments of schools or colleges of optometry accredited by the board shall be exempt from the provisions of this chapter; provided, however, that such practice shall be entirely confined to the operations of the clinical department of the accredited school or college of optometry and shall be carried on only in pursuing the study of optometry.

(b) The board may grant, for specified periods, exemption from the provisions of this chapter to any person who is licensed in another state or country and who is employed as a clinician or instructor by an accredited school or college of optometry. Such exemption from the provisions of this chapter shall extend only to practice which is conducted for educational purposes and which is confined to the clinical department of the accredited school or college employing the person to whom the exemption is granted.

history: (History: Added by Stats. 1955, Ch. 110.)

article: 3. Admission to Practice


citation: BPC § 3043

text: The provisions of this chapter do not prohibit the sale of goggles, sun glasses, colored glasses or occupational eye-protective devices if they do not have refractive values nor do the provisions of this chapter prohibit the sale of complete ready to wear eyeglasses as merchandise by any person not holding himself out as competent to examine, test or prescribe for the human eye or its refractive errors.

article: 3. Admission to Practice


citation: BPC § 3044

text: A person over the age of 18 years desiring to engage in the practice of optometry in this state may file an application for examination and an application for licensure. The application shall be accompanied by the fee required by this chapter.

history: (History: Amended by Stats. 2004, Ch. 426, Sec. 31. Effective January 1, 2005.)

article: 3. Admission to Practice


citation: BPC § 3045

text: Applications shall be verified by the oath of the applicant and shall contain information and evidence satisfactory to the board showing the eligibility of the applicant.

history: (History: Amended by Stats. 2004, Ch. 426, Sec. 32. Effective January 1, 2005.)

article: 3. Admission to Practice


citation: BPC § 3046

text: In order to obtain a license to practice optometry in California, an applicant shall be a natural person, have graduated from an accredited school of optometry, have passed the required examinations for licensure, not have met any of the grounds for denial established in Section 480, and not be currently required to register as a sex offender pursuant to Section 290 of the Penal Code. The proceedings under this section shall be in accordance with Chapter 5 (commencing with Section 11500) of Part 1 of Division 3 of Title 2 of the Government Code.

history: (History: Amended by Stats. 2025, Ch. 788, Sec. 25. (SB 776) Effective January 1, 2026.)

article: 3. Admission to Practice


text:
(a) The board shall issue a temporary license to practice optometry to a person who applies for and is eligible for licensure pursuant to Section 3046, but who is unable to immediately take the Part III - Patient Encounters and Performance Skills Examination developed by the National Board of Examiners in Optometry (NBEO), required for licensure under this chapter, due to the state of emergency, proclaimed by the Governor on March 4, 2020, in response to the COVID-19 pandemic. In addition to Section 3046, the person shall also satisfy all of the following conditions:

(1) The person has never been previously licensed to practice optometry in any state in the United States.

(2) The person pays to the board the applicable fee of one hundred dollars ($100), or a fee in an amount as determined by the board, not to exceed the reasonable cost of administering this section and submits an application to be a temporary licensee, as described in subdivision (j), to the board.

(3) The person has received approval from their accredited school of optometry that the person meets the educational requirements to practice optometry.

(4) The person satisfies all other conditions to licensure established by this chapter.

(b) A person holding a temporary license shall be subject to the same rights and restrictions that are afforded to a person holding a valid, unrevoked California optometrist license, except as set forth in this section. For the purposes of this chapter, “temporary licensee” means a person holding a temporary license pursuant to this section.

(c) A temporary licensee shall practice under the direct supervision of a supervising optometrist. For the purposes of this chapter, “supervising optometrist” means a California licensed optometrist that has been licensed for a minimum of five years and has been certified for the treatment of glaucoma, pursuant to subdivision (e) of Section 3041, and submits an application to be a supervising optometrist, as described in subdivision (k), to the board. A licensed physician practicing ophthalmology may also supervise a temporary licensee and shall be subject to all of the same reporting requirements as set forth in this section.

(d) Notwithstanding any other law, a temporary licensee may perform services as authorized by this chapter if both of the following requirements are met:

(1) The temporary licensee renders the services under the direct supervision of a supervising optometrist who is not subject to a disciplinary condition imposed by the board prohibiting that supervision or prohibiting the employment of a temporary licensee.

(2) The supervising optometrist is legally and professionally responsible for the actions of the temporary licensee.

(e) For the purposes of this chapter, “direct supervision” means that a supervising optometrist oversees the activities of, and accepts responsibility for, the services rendered by a temporary licensee. Direct supervision, as defined in this subdivision, requires that the supervising optometrist be physically present and immediately available in the facility or office in which the optometric services are being provided when the temporary licensee is with a patient.

(f) The supervising optometrist shall have a formal written procedure in place by which patients are informed that an optometrist with a temporary license will be performing the services. Additionally, the patient shall be informed that the supervising optometrist will be supervising the temporary licensee and the supervising optometrist will be identified to the patient. The temporary licensee shall note in the medical record the patient’s consent to this process prior to performing services authorized by this chapter.

(g) During the timeframe in which the temporary licensee holds a temporary license, the temporary licensee shall not open their own optometric office or place of practice.

(h) The temporary license shall expire either upon the date that the temporary licensee completes all of the requirements for licensure or six months after the date the state of emergency, proclaimed by the Governor on March 4, 2020, in response to the COVID-19 pandemic has ended, pursuant to Section 8629 of the Government Code, whichever occurs first.

(i) The supervising optometrist shall submit in writing to the board any violations of this chapter committed by the temporary licensee within 14 days of becoming aware of the violation.

(j) A person requesting to be a temporary licensee shall apply to the board pursuant to an application that shall be in substantially the following form, and may include any other information the board deems appropriate to safeguard the public from substandard optometric care, fraud, or other violation of this chapter:

“Application for Temporary License

Pursuant to Section 3046.1 of the Business and Professions Code, the board shall issue a temporary license to practice optometry to any person who applies for and is eligible for licensure pursuant to Section 3046 of the Business and Professions Code, but who is unable to immediately take the Part III - Patient Encounters and Performance Skills Examination developed by the National Board of Examiners in Optometry (NBEO), required for licensure under this chapter, due to the state of emergency, proclaimed by the Governor on March 4, 2020, in response to the COVID-19 pandemic. If eligible, you must also meet and maintain the following requirements to be a temporary licensee:

(1) Never been previously licensed to practice optometry in any state in the United States; and

(2) Receive confirmation via transcript or other correspondence from your accredited school of optometry that you meet the educational requirements to practice optometry.

To apply to be a temporary licensee, provide documentation for item (2) above with your application. All documentation must be provided, or the application will be rejected.First, Middle, and Last Name: Address (City, State, Zip Code): Phone Number: Email Address: Social Security or ITIN number: Date of Birth: Name of School of Optometry: Address of School of Optometry (City, State, Zip Code, Country): Date Degree Conferred: Name and License Number of Supervising Optometrist: Date you completed the CLRE: Regulations require the submission of fingerprints prior to issuance of the temporary license. Due to a change in the regulations, fingerprints are now checked by the Department of Justice (DOJ) and the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI). Live Scan is required for California residents and a Manual Fingerprint Card is required for non-California residents.I declare under penalty of perjury under the laws of the State of California that the information provided on this form and the attached documents or other requested proof of completion is true and accurate. I understand and agree that any misstatements of material facts may be cause for denial of the Application for Temporary License and disciplinary action by the State Board of Optometry.Applicant Signature: Date: ”(k) A person requesting to be a supervising optometrist shall apply to the board pursuant to an application that shall be in substantially the following form, and may include any other information the board deems appropriate to safeguard the public from substandard optometric care, fraud, or other violation of this chapter:

“Application to be a Supervising Optometrist

Pursuant to Section 3046.1 of the Business and Professions Code, an individual may act as supervising optometrist to a temporary licensee, as defined in that section, if they meet the following conditions:

(1) Has been licensed for a minimum of five years; and

(2) Has been certified for the treatment of glaucoma pursuant to subdivision (e) of Section 3041.

To apply to be a supervising optometrist, provide documentation for items (1) and (2) above with your application. All documentation must be provided, or the application will be rejected.First, Middle, and Last Name: Address of Record: Phone Number: Email Address: License Number: Name of temporary licensee whom you will be

supervising: 1. I declare under penalty of perjury under the laws of the State of California that the information provided on this form and the attached documents or other requested proof of completion is true and accurate. I understand and agree that any misstatements of material facts may be cause for denial of the application to be a Supervising Optometrist and disciplinary action by the State Board of Optometry.AND2. I declare under penalty of perjury under the laws of the State of California that I will comply with all duties as a supervising optometrist set forth in Section 3046.1 of the Business and Professions Code, and that pursuant to that section, I am legally and professionally responsible for the actions of the temporary licensee which may result in action being taken against my license in cases of temporary licensee misconduct.Applicant Signature: Date: ”(l) The board shall not be required to adopt regulations pursuant to the Administrative Procedure Act (Chapter 3.5 (commencing with Section 11340) of Part 1 of Division 3 of Title 2 of the Government Code) to carry out this section.

history: (History: Amended by Stats. 2025, Ch. 788, Sec. 26. (SB 776) Effective January 1, 2026.)

article: 3. Admission to Practice


citation: BPC § 3047

text:
(a) The board shall develop an interface with the National Practitioner Data Bank for the purpose of conducting inquiries on applicants for licensure, applicants for renewal of licensure, and current licensees.

(b) The board shall limit its inquiries to both of the following:

(1) Whether an applicant or current licensee has been subject to discipline.

(2) Whether an applicant or current licensee has been the subject of an action required to be reported to the National Practitioner Data Bank by federal law.

(c) On and after July 1, 2018, the board shall charge, in addition to the fees in Section 3152, an applicant for licensure and an applicant for renewal of licensure four dollars ($4) for the purposes of this section.

history: (History: Amended by Stats. 2018, Ch. 571, Sec. 17. (SB 1480) Effective January 1, 2019.)

article: 3. Admission to Practice


citation: BPC § 3051

text: All applicants for examination for an optometrist license in accordance with the educational and examination requirements adopted pursuant to Section 3023.1 shall show the board by satisfactory evidence that he or she has received education in child abuse detection and the detection of alcoholism and other chemical substance dependency. This section shall apply only to applicants who matriculate in a school of optometry on or after September 1, 1997.

history: (History: Amended by Stats. 2013, Ch. 473, Sec. 8. (SB 821) Effective January 1, 2014.)

article: 3. Admission to Practice


citation: BPC § 3053

text: All examinations shall be practical in character, designed to ascertain applicants’ fitness to practice the profession of optometry and conducted in the English language. The board may by rule or regulation accept the examination given by other agencies or organizations which it deems equivalent to the examination required to determine an applicant’s fitness to practice optometry.

history: (History: Amended by Stats. 1978, Ch. 872.)

article: 3. Admission to Practice


citation: BPC § 3054

text: The passing grades for the licensure examination shall be based on psychometrically sound principles of establishing minimum qualifications and levels of competency. If an applicant fails to pass any section of the examination, he or she may be examined in any succeeding examination held during the next five years only in those sections in which he or she failed to obtain a passing grade.

history: (History: Amended by Stats. 2004, Ch. 426, Sec. 37. Effective January 1, 2005.)

article: 3. Admission to Practice


citation: BPC § 3055

text: The board shall issue a license to an applicant who meets the requirements of this chapter, including the payment of the prescribed licensure, certification, or renewal fee, and who meets any other requirement in accordance with state law. A license or certificate issued under the chapter shall be subject to renewal as prescribed by the board and shall expire unless renewed in that manner. The board may provide for the late renewal of a license or certificate as provided for in Section 163.5.

history: (History: Repealed and added by Stats. 2004, Ch. 426, Sec. 39. Effective January 1, 2005.)

article: 3. Admission to Practice


citation: BPC § 3056

text:
(a) The board may issue a license to practice optometry to a person who meets all of the following qualifications:

(1) Has a degree as a doctor of optometry issued by an accredited school or college of optometry.

(2) Is currently licensed in another state.

(3) Is currently a full-time faculty member of an accredited California school or college of optometry and has served in that capacity for a period of at least five continuous years.

(4) Has attained, at an accredited California school or college of optometry, the academic rank of professor, associate professor, or clinical professor, except that the status of adjunct or affiliated faculty member shall not be deemed sufficient.

(5) Has successfully passed the board’s jurisprudence examination.

(6) Is in good standing, with no past or pending malpractice awards or judicial or administrative actions.

(7) Has met the minimum continuing education requirements set forth in Section 3059 for the current and preceding year.

(8) Has met the requirements of Section 3041.3 regarding the use of therapeutic pharmaceutical agents under subdivision (d) of Section 3041.

(9) Has never had his or her license to practice optometry revoked or suspended.

(10) (A) Is not subject to denial based on any of the grounds listed in Section 480.

(B) Is not currently required to register as a sex offender pursuant to Section 290 of the Penal Code.

(11) Pays an application fee in an amount equal to the application fee prescribed by the board pursuant to Section 3152.

(12) Files an application on a form prescribed by the board.

(b) Any license issued pursuant to this section shall expire as provided in Section 3146, and may be renewed as provided in this chapter, subject to the same conditions as other licenses issued under this chapter.

(c) The term “in good standing,” as used in this section, means that a person under this section:

(1) Is not currently under investigation nor has been charged with an offense for any act substantially related to the practice of optometry by any public agency, nor entered into any consent agreement or subject to an administrative decision that contains conditions placed by an agency upon a person’s professional conduct or practice, including any voluntary surrender of license, nor been the subject of an adverse judgment resulting from the practice of optometry that the board determines constitutes evidence of a pattern of incompetence or negligence.

(2) Has no physical or mental impairment related to drugs or alcohol, and has not been found mentally incompetent by a physician so that the person is unable to undertake the practice of optometry in a manner consistent with the safety of a patient or the public.

history: (History: Amended by Stats. 2017, Ch. 549, Sec. 6. (AB 443) Effective January 1, 2018.)

article: 3. Admission to Practice


citation: BPC § 3057

text:
(a) The board may issue a license to practice optometry to a person who meets all of the following requirements:

(1) Has a degree as a doctor of optometry issued by an accredited school or college of optometry.

(2) Has successfully passed the licensing examination for an optometric license in another state.

(3) Submits proof that the person is licensed in good standing as of the date of application in every state where the person holds a license, including compliance with continuing education requirements.

(4) Is not subject to disciplinary action as set forth in subdivision (h) of Section 3110. If the person has been subject to disciplinary action, the board shall review that action to determine if it presents sufficient evidence of a violation of this chapter to warrant the submission of additional information from the person or the denial of the application for licensure.

(5) Has furnished a signed release allowing the disclosure of information from the National Practitioner Data Bank and, if applicable, the verification of registration status with the federal Drug Enforcement Administration. The board shall review this information to determine if it presents sufficient evidence of a violation of this chapter to warrant the submission of additional information from the person or the denial of the application for licensure.

(6) Has never had the person’s license to practice optometry revoked or suspended in any state where the person holds a license. This paragraph shall become inoperative on July 1, 2018.

(7) (A) Is not subject to denial of an application for licensure based on any of the grounds listed in Section 480.

(B) Is not currently required to register as a sex offender pursuant to Section 290 of the Penal Code.

(8) Has met the minimum continuing education requirements set forth in Section 3059 for the current and preceding year.

(9) Has met the certification requirements of Section 3041.3 to use therapeutic pharmaceutical agents under subdivision (d) of Section 3041.

(10) Submits any other information as specified by the board to the extent it is required for licensure by examination under this chapter.

(11) Files an application on a form prescribed by the board, with an acknowledgment by the person executed under penalty of perjury and automatic forfeiture of license, of the following:

(A) That the information provided by the person to the board is true and correct, to the best of the person’s knowledge and belief.

(B) That the person has not been convicted of an offense involving conduct that would violate Section 810.

(12) Pays an application fee in an amount equal to the application fee prescribed pursuant to subdivision (a) of Section 3152.

(13) Has successfully passed the board’s jurisprudence examination.

(14) Has reported a valid email address to the board, if the person has a valid email address.

(b) If the board finds that the competency of a candidate for licensure pursuant to this section is in question, the board may require the passage of a written, practical, or clinical examination or completion of additional continuing education or coursework.

(c) In cases where the person establishes, to the board’s satisfaction, that the person has been displaced by a federally declared emergency and cannot relocate to the person’s state of practice within a reasonable time without economic hardship, the board may reduce or waive the fees required by paragraph (12) of subdivision (a).

(d) Any license issued pursuant to this section shall expire as provided in Section 3146, and may be renewed as provided in this chapter, subject to the same conditions as other licenses issued under this chapter.

(e) The term “in good standing,” as used in this section, means that a person under this section:

(1) Is not currently under investigation nor has been charged with an offense for any act substantially related to the practice of optometry by any public agency, nor entered into any consent agreement or subject to an administrative decision that contains conditions placed by an agency upon a person’s professional conduct or practice, including any voluntary surrender of license, nor been the subject of an adverse judgment resulting from the practice of optometry that the board determines constitutes evidence of a pattern of incompetence or negligence.

(2) Has no physical or mental impairment related to drugs or alcohol, and has not been found mentally incompetent by a licensed psychologist or licensed psychiatrist so that the person is unable to undertake the practice of optometry in a manner consistent with the safety of a patient or the public.

history: (History: Amended by Stats. 2025, Ch. 788, Sec. 27. (SB 776) Effective January 1, 2026.)

article: 3. Admission to Practice


citation: BPC § 3059

text:
(a) It is the intent of the Legislature that the public health and safety would be served by requiring all holders of licenses to practice optometry granted under this chapter to continue their education after receiving their licenses. The board shall adopt regulations that require, as a condition to the renewal thereof, that all holders of licenses submit proof satisfactory to the board that they have informed themselves of the developments in the practice of optometry occurring since the original issuance of their licenses by pursuing one or more courses of study satisfactory to the board or by other means deemed equivalent by the board.

(b) The board may, in accordance with the intent of this section, make exceptions from continuing education requirements for reasons of health, military service, or other good cause.

(c) If for good cause compliance cannot be met for the current year, the board may grant exemption of compliance for that year, provided that a plan of future compliance that includes current requirements as well as makeup of previous requirements is approved by the board.

(d) The board may require that proof of compliance with this section be submitted on an annual or biennial basis as determined by the board.

(e) An optometrist certified to use therapeutic pharmaceutical agents pursuant to Section 3041.3 shall complete a total of 50 hours of continuing education every two years in order to renew his or her certificate. Thirty-five of the required 50 hours of continuing education shall be on the diagnosis, treatment, and management of ocular disease in any combination of the following areas:

(1) Glaucoma.

(2) Ocular infection.

(3) Ocular inflammation.

(4) Topical steroids.

(5) Systemic medication.

(6) Pain medication, including the risks of addiction associated with the use of Schedule II drugs.

(f) The board shall encourage every optometrist to take a course or courses in pharmacology and pharmaceuticals as part of his or her continuing education.

(g) The board shall consider requiring courses in child abuse detection to be taken by those licensees whose practices are such that there is a likelihood of contact with abused or neglected children.

(h) The board shall consider requiring courses in elder abuse detection to be taken by those licensees whose practices are such that there is a likelihood of contact with abused or neglected elder persons.

history: (History: Amended by Stats. 2018, Ch. 693, Sec. 9. (SB 1109) Effective January 1, 2019.)

article: 3. Admission to Practice


citation: BPC § 3060

text:
The board shall periodically develop and disseminate to all persons licensed to practice optometry information and educational material regarding all of the following:

(a) The detection of child abuse and neglect. The board shall consult with the Office of Child Abuse Prevention in developing the materials distributed pursuant to this subdivision.

(b) The detection of elder abuse and neglect. The board shall consult with the Adult Protective Services Division of the State Department of Social Services in developing the materials distributed pursuant to this subdivision.

history: (History: Added by Stats. 1997, Ch. 556, Sec. 3. Effective January 1, 1998.)

article: 3. Admission to Practice


citation: BPC § 3070

text:
(a) Before engaging in the practice of optometry, each licensed optometrist shall notify the board in writing of the address or addresses where he or she is to engage in the practice of optometry and, also, of any changes in his or her place of practice. After providing the address or addresses and place of practice information to the board, a licensed optometrist shall obtain a statement of licensure from the board to be placed in all practice locations other than an optometrist’s principal place of practice. The practice of optometry is the performing or the controlling of any of the acts set forth in Section 3041.

(b) A licensed optometrist is not required to provide the notification described in subdivision (a) if he or she engages in the temporary practice of optometry. “Temporary practice” is defined as the practice of optometry at locations other than the optometrist’s principal place of practice for not more than five calendar days during a 30-day period, and not more than 36 days within a calendar year. This limitation shall apply to all practice locations where the licensed optometrist is engaging in temporary practice, not to each practice location individually. If the time period of the temporary practice needs to be extended for any reason, the licensed optometrist shall submit an application for a statement of licensure to the board pursuant to Section 1506 of Title 16 of the California Code of Regulations.

(c) Notwithstanding Section 3075, an optometrist engaging in the temporary practice of optometry at a location described in subdivision (b) shall carry and present upon demand evidence of his or her licensure but shall not be required to post his or her current license or other evidence of current license status issued by the board.

(d) In addition to the information required by Section 3076, a receipt issued to a patient by an optometrist engaging in the temporary practice of optometry at a location described in subdivision (b) shall contain the address of the optometrist’s primary practice location and the temporary practice location where the services were provided.

history: (History: Amended by Stats. 2018, Ch. 334, Sec. 1. (SB 1386) Effective January 1, 2019.)

article: 4. Registration

path: 2. HEALING ARTS > 7. Optometry > 4. Registration