The rules writing process is open to the public. The public is welcome to take part in helping us write rules. Rules are also known as regulations, Washington Administrative Code, or WAC. The rule-making process includes public notices and workshops, and usually a public hearing before a rule becomes final.
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Current Rules in Progress
Changing the scope for optometrists
The Board of Optometry is proposing to amend, establish new, and possibly repeal sections in chapter 246-851 WAC to implement Substitute Senate Bill (SSB) 5389 (chapter 400, laws of 2023), which expands the optometrist scope of practice to include certain advance procedures and establishes requirements for a license endorsement.
Changing the scope of practice for optometrists. The Board of Optometry is proposing amendments to WAC 246-851-400, 246-851-410, 246-851-570 through 246-851-600 and establishing a new section WAC 246-851-515 to implement Substitute Senate Bill (SSB) 5389 (chapter 400, laws of 2023), which expands the optometrist scope of practice to include certain advanced procedures and establishes requirements for a license endorsement.
The board of Optometry is adopting new WAC 246-851-515 and amendments to WACs 246-851-400, 246-851-410, and 246-851-570 through 246-851-600. The adopted rules are in response to the statutory changes created by Substitute Senate Bill (SSB) 5389 (chapter 400, laws of 2023), codified in RCW 18.54.010. The bill expands optometrist scope of practice to include advanced procedures an optometrist may perform with an advanced procedures license endorsement. The expanded scope is further defined through a list of prohibited ophthalmic surgical procedures. The board is required to adopt rules for education, training, and exams to qualify for an advanced procedures license endorsement. This rule will become permanent 31 days after filing.
Advance Procedures Reporting
In the 2023 legislation session, Substitute Senate Bill (SSB) 5389 (PDF), Practice of Optometry- Modifications, was passed into law. Within this bill it states “the board in coordination with the department of health must analyze and report on the outcomes of the advanced procedures authorized in RCW 18.53.010 during the previous year. The report should include any complications or adverse events related to the performance of advanced procedures. The data should be aggregated and not identify any individual provider or facility and may not reveal any confidential information. The department of health must make this report publicly available on its website."
In 2024 the board passed WAC 246-851-515 (4) stating “A licensed optometrist shall report every advanced procedure authorized under RCW 18.53.010 (2) and include any complications or adverse events during their annual reporting period. The reporting period ends December 31, 2028.”
The board has created a reporting form for licensed optometrists to use to report any advance procedures. This form will be available on this webpage starting in 2026 when all advance procedures must be reported for the previous year (2025).
To complete this reporting requirement the advance procedure reporting form must be filled out and sent via email to program staff members.
Continuing education
The Board of Optometry filed WSR 24-06-033 on February 28, 2024, a CR-101 (PDF), for chapter 24-851 WAC. The board is considering amendments to comply with Second Substitute House Bill (2SHB) 1724 (chapter 425, Laws of 2023).
The Board of Optometry is proposing to remove the jurisprudence (JP) exam requirement from the initial licensure in WAC 246-851-490, and add the JP exam as a requirement from a licensed optometrist first full continuing (CE) reporting period in WAC 246-851-090 to be included with the existing CE hour requirement. This is to comply with Section 8 of Second Substitute House Bill (2SHB) 1724 (chapter 425, laws of 2023) codified as RCW 18.130.077.
The board of Optometry is adopting an amendment to WAC 246-851-490 that removes the jurisprudence (JP) examination requirement from initial licensure. The board is also adopting amendments to WAC 246-851-090 that adds the JP exam as a requirement for a licensed optometrist’s first full CE reporting period, allowing it to count for a maximum of three hours within the existing CE hour requirements. The board is also adopting amendments to clarify the number of allowable CE hours in specific course settings by limiting the number of CE credit hours that may be obtained through asynchronous learning and adding a minimum number of CE credit hours that must be obtained through synchronous and in-person learning.