CALIFORNIA OPTOMETRY LAW EXAM (CALE)
2026 | FULL SIMULATION PRACTICE TEST |
300+ REALISTIC QUESTIONS WITH VERIFIED
ANSWERS & DETAILED EXPLANATIONS |
COMPLETE STUDY GUIDE PDF
This practice test mirrors the structure and rigor of the actual CALE — use it by timing
yourself, reviewing RATIONALE for every question you miss, and revisiting weak
areas repeatedly until concepts stick.
CALIFORNIA OPTOMETRY LAW EXAM (CALE) 2026
FULL SIMULATION PRACTICE TEST | 300 QUESTIONS
QUESTION 1 Which state agency is responsible for licensing and regulating
optometrists in California?
A. California Department of Consumer Affairs
B. California Medical Board
C. California State Board of Optometry
D. California Department of Public Health
E. California Health and Human Services Agency
CORRECT ANSWER: C. California State Board of Optometry
RATIONALE: The California State Board of Optometry (CSBO) operates under the
Department of Consumer Affairs and is the primary regulatory body responsible for
licensing, discipline, and oversight of optometrists practicing in California.
QUESTION 2 Under California law, what is the maximum number of years an
optometrist license is valid before renewal is required?
A. One year
B. Two years
C. Three years
D. Four years
,E. Five years
CORRECT ANSWER: B. Two years
RATIONALE: California optometry licenses are renewed on a biennial (two-year)
cycle. Licensees must complete all required continuing education and pay renewal fees
within this period to maintain active licensure.
QUESTION 3 How many continuing education hours must a California-licensed
optometrist complete per renewal period?
A. 20 hours
B. 25 hours
C. 30 hours
D. 35 hours
E. 40 hours
CORRECT ANSWER: C. 30 hours
RATIONALE: California requires 30 hours of continuing education per biennial
renewal period. At least a portion of these hours must be in specific required subjects
including California law and ethics.
QUESTION 4 Which of the following is a required subject area in California optometry
continuing education?
A. Business management
B. California law and ethics
C. Insurance billing
D. Practice marketing
E. Office administration
CORRECT ANSWER: B. California law and ethics
RATIONALE: The California State Board of Optometry mandates that licensees
complete continuing education in California law and ethics as part of their required CE
hours each renewal period.
,QUESTION 5 An optometrist who allows their license to lapse may apply for
reinstatement within how many years before the license is considered canceled?
A. One year
B. Two years
C. Three years
D. Four years
E. Five years
CORRECT ANSWER: C. Three years
RATIONALE: Under the California Business and Professions Code, a lapsed
optometry license may be reinstated within three years of expiration. After three years,
the license is canceled and the individual must apply as a new applicant.
QUESTION 6 Which of the following best describes the scope of practice for a
California-licensed optometrist with a Therapeutic Pharmaceutical Agent (TPA) license?
A. Perform refractive surgery
B. Prescribe Schedule II controlled substances
C. Diagnose and treat anterior segment conditions using topical pharmaceutical agents
D. Perform intraocular surgery
E. Administer general anesthesia
CORRECT ANSWER: C. Diagnose and treat anterior segment conditions using
topical pharmaceutical agents
RATIONALE: California TPA-certified optometrists are authorized to diagnose and
treat anterior segment eye disease using topical pharmaceutical agents. They cannot
perform surgery or prescribe Schedule II controlled substances.
QUESTION 7 Which California code primarily governs the practice of optometry?
A. California Health and Safety Code
B. California Welfare and Institutions Code
, C. California Business and Professions Code
D. California Penal Code
E. California Education Code
CORRECT ANSWER: C. California Business and Professions Code
RATIONALE: The practice of optometry in California is governed primarily by the
California Business and Professions Code, specifically Division 2, Chapter 7 (Sections
3000–3165).
QUESTION 8 Under California law, what is the minimum age requirement for a person
to be examined for contact lenses without parental consent?
A. 14 years
B. 16 years
C. 18 years
D. 21 years
E. There is no minimum age requirement
CORRECT ANSWER: C. 18 years
RATIONALE: In California, individuals must be 18 years of age or older to consent
to medical examination and treatment without parental consent. Minors require parental
or guardian consent for contact lens examinations.
QUESTION 9 A California optometrist wishes to use the title "Doctor." Under which
conditions is this permissible?
A. Only if they hold a fellowship designation
B. Only if they completed a residency
C. When using their O.D. degree in the context of optometric practice
D. Only when working in a hospital setting
E. Only when co-managing with an ophthalmologist
CORRECT ANSWER: C. When using their O.D. degree in the context of optometric
practice
2026 | FULL SIMULATION PRACTICE TEST |
300+ REALISTIC QUESTIONS WITH VERIFIED
ANSWERS & DETAILED EXPLANATIONS |
COMPLETE STUDY GUIDE PDF
This practice test mirrors the structure and rigor of the actual CALE — use it by timing
yourself, reviewing RATIONALE for every question you miss, and revisiting weak
areas repeatedly until concepts stick.
CALIFORNIA OPTOMETRY LAW EXAM (CALE) 2026
FULL SIMULATION PRACTICE TEST | 300 QUESTIONS
QUESTION 1 Which state agency is responsible for licensing and regulating
optometrists in California?
A. California Department of Consumer Affairs
B. California Medical Board
C. California State Board of Optometry
D. California Department of Public Health
E. California Health and Human Services Agency
CORRECT ANSWER: C. California State Board of Optometry
RATIONALE: The California State Board of Optometry (CSBO) operates under the
Department of Consumer Affairs and is the primary regulatory body responsible for
licensing, discipline, and oversight of optometrists practicing in California.
QUESTION 2 Under California law, what is the maximum number of years an
optometrist license is valid before renewal is required?
A. One year
B. Two years
C. Three years
D. Four years
,E. Five years
CORRECT ANSWER: B. Two years
RATIONALE: California optometry licenses are renewed on a biennial (two-year)
cycle. Licensees must complete all required continuing education and pay renewal fees
within this period to maintain active licensure.
QUESTION 3 How many continuing education hours must a California-licensed
optometrist complete per renewal period?
A. 20 hours
B. 25 hours
C. 30 hours
D. 35 hours
E. 40 hours
CORRECT ANSWER: C. 30 hours
RATIONALE: California requires 30 hours of continuing education per biennial
renewal period. At least a portion of these hours must be in specific required subjects
including California law and ethics.
QUESTION 4 Which of the following is a required subject area in California optometry
continuing education?
A. Business management
B. California law and ethics
C. Insurance billing
D. Practice marketing
E. Office administration
CORRECT ANSWER: B. California law and ethics
RATIONALE: The California State Board of Optometry mandates that licensees
complete continuing education in California law and ethics as part of their required CE
hours each renewal period.
,QUESTION 5 An optometrist who allows their license to lapse may apply for
reinstatement within how many years before the license is considered canceled?
A. One year
B. Two years
C. Three years
D. Four years
E. Five years
CORRECT ANSWER: C. Three years
RATIONALE: Under the California Business and Professions Code, a lapsed
optometry license may be reinstated within three years of expiration. After three years,
the license is canceled and the individual must apply as a new applicant.
QUESTION 6 Which of the following best describes the scope of practice for a
California-licensed optometrist with a Therapeutic Pharmaceutical Agent (TPA) license?
A. Perform refractive surgery
B. Prescribe Schedule II controlled substances
C. Diagnose and treat anterior segment conditions using topical pharmaceutical agents
D. Perform intraocular surgery
E. Administer general anesthesia
CORRECT ANSWER: C. Diagnose and treat anterior segment conditions using
topical pharmaceutical agents
RATIONALE: California TPA-certified optometrists are authorized to diagnose and
treat anterior segment eye disease using topical pharmaceutical agents. They cannot
perform surgery or prescribe Schedule II controlled substances.
QUESTION 7 Which California code primarily governs the practice of optometry?
A. California Health and Safety Code
B. California Welfare and Institutions Code
, C. California Business and Professions Code
D. California Penal Code
E. California Education Code
CORRECT ANSWER: C. California Business and Professions Code
RATIONALE: The practice of optometry in California is governed primarily by the
California Business and Professions Code, specifically Division 2, Chapter 7 (Sections
3000–3165).
QUESTION 8 Under California law, what is the minimum age requirement for a person
to be examined for contact lenses without parental consent?
A. 14 years
B. 16 years
C. 18 years
D. 21 years
E. There is no minimum age requirement
CORRECT ANSWER: C. 18 years
RATIONALE: In California, individuals must be 18 years of age or older to consent
to medical examination and treatment without parental consent. Minors require parental
or guardian consent for contact lens examinations.
QUESTION 9 A California optometrist wishes to use the title "Doctor." Under which
conditions is this permissible?
A. Only if they hold a fellowship designation
B. Only if they completed a residency
C. When using their O.D. degree in the context of optometric practice
D. Only when working in a hospital setting
E. Only when co-managing with an ophthalmologist
CORRECT ANSWER: C. When using their O.D. degree in the context of optometric
practice
