Washington Optometry Jurisprudence
Practice Exam 100 Questions And
Correct Answers (Verified Answers)
Plus Rationales 2026 Q&A Instant
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1. What Washington statute primarily governs the practice of optometry?
Answer: RCW 18.53
Rationale: RCW 18.53 is the principal Washington statute governing
optometry, including the scope of practice and related requirements.
2. Which Washington administrative chapter contains the principal rules for
optometrists?
Answer: WAC 246-851
Rationale: WAC 246-851 contains Washington's administrative rules
specifically applicable to optometrists.
3. Which state body regulates the practice of optometry in Washington?
Answer: The Washington State Board of Optometry
Rationale: The Washington State Board of Optometry establishes and
administers requirements governing the profession, subject to Washington
law.
4. What is included within the statutory definition of the practice of
optometry?
Answer: Examination of the human eye, examination and ascertainment of
defects of the human vision system, and analysis of the process of vision
Rationale: RCW 18.53.010 expressly defines optometry in these terms and
then identifies procedures and services that may fall within the scope.
, 5. May Washington optometrists use diagnostic instruments in examining
the human vision system?
Answer: Yes
Rationale: The statute permits diagnostic instruments and devices for
examination and analysis of the human vision system and determination of
refractive powers and related functions.
6. Is prescribing and fitting contact lenses within the Washington
optometric scope of practice?
Answer: Yes
Rationale: Washington law expressly includes prescription and fitting of
contact lenses, including lenses used to alter refractive error or treat eye
disease.
7. May a Washington optometrist provide visual therapy?
Answer: Yes
Rationale: Visual therapy, neuro-optometry rehabilitation, orthoptics,
therapeutic aids, and related services are specifically included in the statutory
scope.
8. May an optometrist order necessary diagnostic laboratory or imaging
tests?
Answer: Yes
Rationale: RCW 18.53.010 expressly includes ordering necessary diagnostic
laboratory or imaging tests, including finger-stick testing and collecting
samples for culturing.
9. May an authorized Washington optometrist dispense medication
samples to initiate treatment?
Answer: Yes
Rationale: The statute expressly permits dispensing medication samples to
initiate treatment within the optometrist's authorized scope.
10.Which of the following is specifically listed as an optometric procedure in
Washington: removal of superficial/nonpenetrating foreign bodies or
ophthalmic surgery?
, Answer: Removal of nonpenetrating foreign bodies
Rationale: Removal of nonpenetrating foreign bodies is included within
optometric practice, while ophthalmic surgery as defined by statute is not
generally authorized.
11.What minimum amount of didactic and clinical instruction in general and
ocular pharmacology is required for certification to use diagnostic and
therapeutic drugs?
Answer: 60 hours
Rationale: RCW 18.53.010 requires at least 60 hours of didactic and clinical
instruction in general and ocular pharmacology for the applicable drug
certification.
12.What additional amount of instruction is required for certification to use
or prescribe topical drugs therapeutically?
Answer: 75 hours
Rationale: In addition to the pharmacology requirements, Washington
requires an additional minimum of 75 hours of didactic and clinical
instruction for therapeutic topical drugs.
13.What additional didactic instruction is required for optometrists using or
prescribing oral drugs?
Answer: 16 additional hours of didactic instruction
Rationale: Washington requires certification for topical therapeutic drugs
plus an additional 16 hours of didactic instruction for oral diagnostic or
therapeutic drugs.
14.What additional supervised clinical instruction is required for oral-drug
authority?
Answer: 8 additional hours of supervised clinical instruction
Rationale: The statute specifies an additional eight hours of supervised
clinical instruction for authority to administer, dispense, or prescribe oral
drugs.
15.Who establishes the list of topical drugs authorized for Washington
optometrists?
Practice Exam 100 Questions And
Correct Answers (Verified Answers)
Plus Rationales 2026 Q&A Instant
Download Pdf
1. What Washington statute primarily governs the practice of optometry?
Answer: RCW 18.53
Rationale: RCW 18.53 is the principal Washington statute governing
optometry, including the scope of practice and related requirements.
2. Which Washington administrative chapter contains the principal rules for
optometrists?
Answer: WAC 246-851
Rationale: WAC 246-851 contains Washington's administrative rules
specifically applicable to optometrists.
3. Which state body regulates the practice of optometry in Washington?
Answer: The Washington State Board of Optometry
Rationale: The Washington State Board of Optometry establishes and
administers requirements governing the profession, subject to Washington
law.
4. What is included within the statutory definition of the practice of
optometry?
Answer: Examination of the human eye, examination and ascertainment of
defects of the human vision system, and analysis of the process of vision
Rationale: RCW 18.53.010 expressly defines optometry in these terms and
then identifies procedures and services that may fall within the scope.
, 5. May Washington optometrists use diagnostic instruments in examining
the human vision system?
Answer: Yes
Rationale: The statute permits diagnostic instruments and devices for
examination and analysis of the human vision system and determination of
refractive powers and related functions.
6. Is prescribing and fitting contact lenses within the Washington
optometric scope of practice?
Answer: Yes
Rationale: Washington law expressly includes prescription and fitting of
contact lenses, including lenses used to alter refractive error or treat eye
disease.
7. May a Washington optometrist provide visual therapy?
Answer: Yes
Rationale: Visual therapy, neuro-optometry rehabilitation, orthoptics,
therapeutic aids, and related services are specifically included in the statutory
scope.
8. May an optometrist order necessary diagnostic laboratory or imaging
tests?
Answer: Yes
Rationale: RCW 18.53.010 expressly includes ordering necessary diagnostic
laboratory or imaging tests, including finger-stick testing and collecting
samples for culturing.
9. May an authorized Washington optometrist dispense medication
samples to initiate treatment?
Answer: Yes
Rationale: The statute expressly permits dispensing medication samples to
initiate treatment within the optometrist's authorized scope.
10.Which of the following is specifically listed as an optometric procedure in
Washington: removal of superficial/nonpenetrating foreign bodies or
ophthalmic surgery?
, Answer: Removal of nonpenetrating foreign bodies
Rationale: Removal of nonpenetrating foreign bodies is included within
optometric practice, while ophthalmic surgery as defined by statute is not
generally authorized.
11.What minimum amount of didactic and clinical instruction in general and
ocular pharmacology is required for certification to use diagnostic and
therapeutic drugs?
Answer: 60 hours
Rationale: RCW 18.53.010 requires at least 60 hours of didactic and clinical
instruction in general and ocular pharmacology for the applicable drug
certification.
12.What additional amount of instruction is required for certification to use
or prescribe topical drugs therapeutically?
Answer: 75 hours
Rationale: In addition to the pharmacology requirements, Washington
requires an additional minimum of 75 hours of didactic and clinical
instruction for therapeutic topical drugs.
13.What additional didactic instruction is required for optometrists using or
prescribing oral drugs?
Answer: 16 additional hours of didactic instruction
Rationale: Washington requires certification for topical therapeutic drugs
plus an additional 16 hours of didactic instruction for oral diagnostic or
therapeutic drugs.
14.What additional supervised clinical instruction is required for oral-drug
authority?
Answer: 8 additional hours of supervised clinical instruction
Rationale: The statute specifies an additional eight hours of supervised
clinical instruction for authority to administer, dispense, or prescribe oral
drugs.
15.Who establishes the list of topical drugs authorized for Washington
optometrists?
