Page 1 of 171
California Optometry Laws, Ethics &
Compliance Practice Exam Questions &
Rationales VERIFIED SOLUTIONS LATEST
UPDATE THIS YEAR
California Optometry Laws, Ethics & Compliance Practice Exam
Exam Coverage Summary
Based on the California State Board of Optometry (CSBO) examination blueprint and statutes ,
this practice exam covers five major content areas:
1. Scope of Practice (50% of exam): Laws related to optometric scope including
TPA/Glaucoma certifications , foreign body removal, pediatric treatment, and diagnostic
imaging .
2. Recordkeeping & Reporting (14%): Informed consent, patient record retention (7
years/minors to 19) , release of records (5 days/15 days) , and mandatory reporting
(child/elder/domestic abuse) .
3. Advertising & Referrals (8%): Restrictions on advertising, anti-kickback/fee-splitting
laws, and Stark Law compliance .
4. Prescribing (16%): Expiration dates, required components for spectacle/contact lens
Rxs , controlled substance limits (e.g., codeine/hydrocodone 3-day limit) .
5. Licensing & Discipline (12%): License renewal (birth month, biennial) , continuing
education requirements (50 hrs TPA / 20 hrs non-TPA) , citation classes and fines (Class
A: $1,500-$2,500; Class B: $500-$2,500; Class C: $250-$2,500) , and unprofessional
conduct .
QUESTIONS 1-50
1. An optometrist sees a patient with fluctuations in refractive error and retinal
microaneurysms, suspecting diabetes. What is the most appropriate next action?
,Page 2 of 171
A) Diagnose the patient as diabetic using skin puncture
B) Recommend diet modification
C) Refer the patient to their primary care physician
D) Recommend insulin therapy
Answer: C) Optometrists may identify signs of systemic disease but cannot diagnose or treat
diabetes; referral to a primary care physician is required .
2. A patient requests a copy of their patient records. Under California law, within how many
days must the optometrist allow the patient to inspect their records?
A) 3 business days
B) 5 business days
C) 10 business days
D) 15 business days
,Page 3 of 171
Answer: B) Patients have the right to inspect their records within 5 working days of a written
request. A copy must be provided within 15 working days if requested .
3. An optometrist's license expires on the last day of their birth month. If they fail to renew,
how long do they have to renew without taking the licensure exam again?
A) 1 year
B) 2 years
C) 3 years
D) 5 years
Answer: C) An expired certificate may be renewed within 3 years by paying all fines, fees, and
submitting proof of CE for the past 2 years .
4. What is the minimum number of continuing education (CE) hours required biennially for a
TPA-certified optometrist, and how many must be in ocular/systemic disease?
, Page 4 of 171
A) 30 total; 20 on ocular/systemic disease
B) 40 total; 30 on ocular/systemic disease
C) 50 total; 35 on ocular/systemic disease
D) 60 total; 40 on ocular/systemic disease
Answer: C) TPA-certified ODs must complete 50 CE hours per renewal period, with 35 hours on
treatment/diagnosis/management of ocular or systemic disease .
5. Under the anti-kickback/fee-splitting law, what is the classification of offering, delivering,
or accepting any rebate or commission as compensation for referring patients?
A) Felony
B) Misdemeanor
C) Public offense
D) Unprofessional conduct only
California Optometry Laws, Ethics &
Compliance Practice Exam Questions &
Rationales VERIFIED SOLUTIONS LATEST
UPDATE THIS YEAR
California Optometry Laws, Ethics & Compliance Practice Exam
Exam Coverage Summary
Based on the California State Board of Optometry (CSBO) examination blueprint and statutes ,
this practice exam covers five major content areas:
1. Scope of Practice (50% of exam): Laws related to optometric scope including
TPA/Glaucoma certifications , foreign body removal, pediatric treatment, and diagnostic
imaging .
2. Recordkeeping & Reporting (14%): Informed consent, patient record retention (7
years/minors to 19) , release of records (5 days/15 days) , and mandatory reporting
(child/elder/domestic abuse) .
3. Advertising & Referrals (8%): Restrictions on advertising, anti-kickback/fee-splitting
laws, and Stark Law compliance .
4. Prescribing (16%): Expiration dates, required components for spectacle/contact lens
Rxs , controlled substance limits (e.g., codeine/hydrocodone 3-day limit) .
5. Licensing & Discipline (12%): License renewal (birth month, biennial) , continuing
education requirements (50 hrs TPA / 20 hrs non-TPA) , citation classes and fines (Class
A: $1,500-$2,500; Class B: $500-$2,500; Class C: $250-$2,500) , and unprofessional
conduct .
QUESTIONS 1-50
1. An optometrist sees a patient with fluctuations in refractive error and retinal
microaneurysms, suspecting diabetes. What is the most appropriate next action?
,Page 2 of 171
A) Diagnose the patient as diabetic using skin puncture
B) Recommend diet modification
C) Refer the patient to their primary care physician
D) Recommend insulin therapy
Answer: C) Optometrists may identify signs of systemic disease but cannot diagnose or treat
diabetes; referral to a primary care physician is required .
2. A patient requests a copy of their patient records. Under California law, within how many
days must the optometrist allow the patient to inspect their records?
A) 3 business days
B) 5 business days
C) 10 business days
D) 15 business days
,Page 3 of 171
Answer: B) Patients have the right to inspect their records within 5 working days of a written
request. A copy must be provided within 15 working days if requested .
3. An optometrist's license expires on the last day of their birth month. If they fail to renew,
how long do they have to renew without taking the licensure exam again?
A) 1 year
B) 2 years
C) 3 years
D) 5 years
Answer: C) An expired certificate may be renewed within 3 years by paying all fines, fees, and
submitting proof of CE for the past 2 years .
4. What is the minimum number of continuing education (CE) hours required biennially for a
TPA-certified optometrist, and how many must be in ocular/systemic disease?
, Page 4 of 171
A) 30 total; 20 on ocular/systemic disease
B) 40 total; 30 on ocular/systemic disease
C) 50 total; 35 on ocular/systemic disease
D) 60 total; 40 on ocular/systemic disease
Answer: C) TPA-certified ODs must complete 50 CE hours per renewal period, with 35 hours on
treatment/diagnosis/management of ocular or systemic disease .
5. Under the anti-kickback/fee-splitting law, what is the classification of offering, delivering,
or accepting any rebate or commission as compensation for referring patients?
A) Felony
B) Misdemeanor
C) Public offense
D) Unprofessional conduct only
