CALIFORNIA OPTOMETRY LEGAL
REGULATIONS STUDY GUIDE 2026
COMPLETE SOLUTIONS GRADED A+
⩥ It is prohibited to dispense, prescribe of sell eyeglasses not made of
shatter-resistant lenses or non-flammable frames to _______. Answer: 1.
one eyed person
2. law enforcement officer
3. fireman
4. person < 18 years old
*note: a practitioner, unless informed by person obtaining the eyeglasses
or has personal knowledge of age or occupation, is not required to
conduct an investigation of the person's occupation in determining if
shatter-resistant lenses are necessary.
⩥ Anti-kickback/fee splitting law. Answer: it's unlawful to
offer/receive/accept any
rebate/refund/commission/discount/compenstation for referring patients.
*Public offense punishable by jail or fine.
⩥ Federal stark law: it's unlawful to refer to a health care provider in
which the practitioner or immediate family member has a financial
,interest ($5000 or 5% of the whole) with the person receiving the
referral.
What qualifies as an immediate family member? What are the
exceptions to this law?. Answer: 1. parents
2. spouse
2. children
4. spouses of children (e.g. daughter in law)
Permitted if financial interest is disclosed in writing at the time of
referral/consultation request. Patient may be referred if there is no
alternative provider within 25 miles or 40 minutes.
*Can't refer to spouse or children but can refer to brother. If 25 miles/40
mins you can refer exception.
⩥ True or False: Any price advertisement must be exact and clearly
identify the price for each product or service.. Answer: True
Cannot use words such as "as low as", "and up to", "Lowest prices" or
statements/advertisments of bait, discount, premiums, or gifts.
⩥ true/false: can use the term "lowest price" or "as low as" for ads.
Answer: false
, ⩥ What 10 items can be included in advertising?. Answer: 1. Name,
address, office hours
2. Languages spoken
3. Certification or eligibility for certification by a board or organization
recognized by SBO
4. Degrees received, names of schools, post grad training
5. Publications authored
6. Testing positions (current or former)
7. Affiliations with hospitals or clinics
8. Fees for services or products and methods of payment
9. Personal picture or picture of facilities/products
10. Description for products advertised
⩥ True/False: an optometrist can lease a space from an optician or health
plan. Answer: True
⩥ True/False: an optometrist can be employed by an optician. Answer:
false
⩥ True/False: if an OD leases a space from an optician or health plan the
lease cannot be less than one year and cannot be terminated for a reason
that interferes with the practice of optometry. Answer: true
REGULATIONS STUDY GUIDE 2026
COMPLETE SOLUTIONS GRADED A+
⩥ It is prohibited to dispense, prescribe of sell eyeglasses not made of
shatter-resistant lenses or non-flammable frames to _______. Answer: 1.
one eyed person
2. law enforcement officer
3. fireman
4. person < 18 years old
*note: a practitioner, unless informed by person obtaining the eyeglasses
or has personal knowledge of age or occupation, is not required to
conduct an investigation of the person's occupation in determining if
shatter-resistant lenses are necessary.
⩥ Anti-kickback/fee splitting law. Answer: it's unlawful to
offer/receive/accept any
rebate/refund/commission/discount/compenstation for referring patients.
*Public offense punishable by jail or fine.
⩥ Federal stark law: it's unlawful to refer to a health care provider in
which the practitioner or immediate family member has a financial
,interest ($5000 or 5% of the whole) with the person receiving the
referral.
What qualifies as an immediate family member? What are the
exceptions to this law?. Answer: 1. parents
2. spouse
2. children
4. spouses of children (e.g. daughter in law)
Permitted if financial interest is disclosed in writing at the time of
referral/consultation request. Patient may be referred if there is no
alternative provider within 25 miles or 40 minutes.
*Can't refer to spouse or children but can refer to brother. If 25 miles/40
mins you can refer exception.
⩥ True or False: Any price advertisement must be exact and clearly
identify the price for each product or service.. Answer: True
Cannot use words such as "as low as", "and up to", "Lowest prices" or
statements/advertisments of bait, discount, premiums, or gifts.
⩥ true/false: can use the term "lowest price" or "as low as" for ads.
Answer: false
, ⩥ What 10 items can be included in advertising?. Answer: 1. Name,
address, office hours
2. Languages spoken
3. Certification or eligibility for certification by a board or organization
recognized by SBO
4. Degrees received, names of schools, post grad training
5. Publications authored
6. Testing positions (current or former)
7. Affiliations with hospitals or clinics
8. Fees for services or products and methods of payment
9. Personal picture or picture of facilities/products
10. Description for products advertised
⩥ True/False: an optometrist can lease a space from an optician or health
plan. Answer: True
⩥ True/False: an optometrist can be employed by an optician. Answer:
false
⩥ True/False: if an OD leases a space from an optician or health plan the
lease cannot be less than one year and cannot be terminated for a reason
that interferes with the practice of optometry. Answer: true
