California Optometry Law Exam (CALE) 2025
Test Exam Practice Test with 100 Realistic
Questions, Correct Answers & Detailed
Explanations Introduction Prepare confidently
for the California Optometry Law Exam (CALE)
instant download pdf.
Introduction
This practice set focuses on the most tested California optometry legal
and regulatory concepts that appear on the California Laws and
Regulations Examination. These items are based on the California
Optometry Practice Act (Business & Professions and related California
Code of Regulations — especially the scope of practice, licensure
requirements, unprofessional conduct, patient record retention, corporate
practice restrictions, and continuing education requirements. Knowledge
of statutes governing the lawful practice of optometry in California —
including scope, certification, delegation, and compliance — is critical
for success.
1. Which of the following activities constitutes practicing optometry in
California?
A. Cleaning eyewear for a patient
B. Using trial frames to determine refractive status
C. Ordering office supplies
D. Advertising eye drops for sale
Answer: B. Using trial frames to determine refractive status
The use of trial frames or test lenses to determine refractive status is
,considered prima facie evidence of practicing optometry without a
license under BPC §3040.
2. Under California law, a person must hold a valid optometrist license
to:
A. Sell reading glasses in a retail store
B. Provide vision screening at a health fair
C. Determine the accommodative state of the eyes
D. Manufacture contact lenses
Answer: C. Determine the accommodative state of the eyes
Determining the powers or range of human vision, including
accommodative states, is part of the optometry scope of practice and
requires a license.
3. Which certification allows a California optometrist to prescribe
therapeutic pharmaceutical agents?
A. Immunization certification
B. Specialty device certification
C. Therapeutic Pharmaceutical Agents (TPA) certification
D. Professional corporation certification
Answer: C. Therapeutic Pharmaceutical Agents (TPA) certification
To prescribe therapeutic pharmaceutical agents such as antibiotics or
antiglaucoma medications, an optometrist must complete a dedicated
TPA course and examination.
4. In California, how many hours of continuing education are required
for a non-TPA certified optometrist every two years?
A. 20 hours
B. 40 hours
,C. 50 hours
D. 60 hours
Answer: B. 40 hours
Non-TPA certified optometrists must complete 40 hours of board-
approved continuing education every two years before license renewal.
5. What must an optometrist provide to a patient at the conclusion of an
eye examination?
A. A summary of medical history
B. A copy of their spectacle lens prescription
C. A waiver form
D. A referral for surgery
Answer: B. A copy of their spectacle lens prescription
State law requires provision of spectacle lens prescriptions immediately
upon exam completion and contact lens prescriptions upon final fitting.
6. Which corporate form is required for a California optometrist who
wants to incorporate their practice?
A. Limited Liability Company (LLC)
B. Professional Optometric Corporation
C. General partnership
D. Sole proprietorship
Answer: B. Professional Optometric Corporation
Optometrists must use a Professional Optometric Corporation for
practice ownership under California’s corporate practice of medicine
doctrine.
, 7. How long must optometrists retain patient records for adult patients?
A. 3 years
B. 5 years
C. 7 years
D. 10 years
Answer: C. 7 years
Patient records must be retained for a minimum of 7 years after
treatment completion; longer for minors.
8. If a patient is a minor, California law requires patient records be kept
until:
A. The age of 18
B. The age of 21
C. The age of 19 or 7 years, whichever is longer
D. The age of 17
Answer: C. The age of 19 or 7 years, whichever is longer
For minor patients, records retention continues until 7 years from the
date of service or until age 19, whichever is longer.
9. True or False: An unlicensed individual may legally advertise
optometric services.
A. True
B. False
Answer: B. False
Advertising optometric services without a valid license violates
California law (BPC §3040).
Test Exam Practice Test with 100 Realistic
Questions, Correct Answers & Detailed
Explanations Introduction Prepare confidently
for the California Optometry Law Exam (CALE)
instant download pdf.
Introduction
This practice set focuses on the most tested California optometry legal
and regulatory concepts that appear on the California Laws and
Regulations Examination. These items are based on the California
Optometry Practice Act (Business & Professions and related California
Code of Regulations — especially the scope of practice, licensure
requirements, unprofessional conduct, patient record retention, corporate
practice restrictions, and continuing education requirements. Knowledge
of statutes governing the lawful practice of optometry in California —
including scope, certification, delegation, and compliance — is critical
for success.
1. Which of the following activities constitutes practicing optometry in
California?
A. Cleaning eyewear for a patient
B. Using trial frames to determine refractive status
C. Ordering office supplies
D. Advertising eye drops for sale
Answer: B. Using trial frames to determine refractive status
The use of trial frames or test lenses to determine refractive status is
,considered prima facie evidence of practicing optometry without a
license under BPC §3040.
2. Under California law, a person must hold a valid optometrist license
to:
A. Sell reading glasses in a retail store
B. Provide vision screening at a health fair
C. Determine the accommodative state of the eyes
D. Manufacture contact lenses
Answer: C. Determine the accommodative state of the eyes
Determining the powers or range of human vision, including
accommodative states, is part of the optometry scope of practice and
requires a license.
3. Which certification allows a California optometrist to prescribe
therapeutic pharmaceutical agents?
A. Immunization certification
B. Specialty device certification
C. Therapeutic Pharmaceutical Agents (TPA) certification
D. Professional corporation certification
Answer: C. Therapeutic Pharmaceutical Agents (TPA) certification
To prescribe therapeutic pharmaceutical agents such as antibiotics or
antiglaucoma medications, an optometrist must complete a dedicated
TPA course and examination.
4. In California, how many hours of continuing education are required
for a non-TPA certified optometrist every two years?
A. 20 hours
B. 40 hours
,C. 50 hours
D. 60 hours
Answer: B. 40 hours
Non-TPA certified optometrists must complete 40 hours of board-
approved continuing education every two years before license renewal.
5. What must an optometrist provide to a patient at the conclusion of an
eye examination?
A. A summary of medical history
B. A copy of their spectacle lens prescription
C. A waiver form
D. A referral for surgery
Answer: B. A copy of their spectacle lens prescription
State law requires provision of spectacle lens prescriptions immediately
upon exam completion and contact lens prescriptions upon final fitting.
6. Which corporate form is required for a California optometrist who
wants to incorporate their practice?
A. Limited Liability Company (LLC)
B. Professional Optometric Corporation
C. General partnership
D. Sole proprietorship
Answer: B. Professional Optometric Corporation
Optometrists must use a Professional Optometric Corporation for
practice ownership under California’s corporate practice of medicine
doctrine.
, 7. How long must optometrists retain patient records for adult patients?
A. 3 years
B. 5 years
C. 7 years
D. 10 years
Answer: C. 7 years
Patient records must be retained for a minimum of 7 years after
treatment completion; longer for minors.
8. If a patient is a minor, California law requires patient records be kept
until:
A. The age of 18
B. The age of 21
C. The age of 19 or 7 years, whichever is longer
D. The age of 17
Answer: C. The age of 19 or 7 years, whichever is longer
For minor patients, records retention continues until 7 years from the
date of service or until age 19, whichever is longer.
9. True or False: An unlicensed individual may legally advertise
optometric services.
A. True
B. False
Answer: B. False
Advertising optometric services without a valid license violates
California law (BPC §3040).
