A licensed optometrist may perform advanced procedures as provided by RCW 18.53.010 only after being issued a license endorsement to perform advanced procedures by the secretary. The secretary shall issue an endorsement to perform advanced procedures to a licensed optometrist who provides evidence in a manner acceptable to the board, to include the following:

(1) A completed application on forms provided by the secretary;

(2) Provide evidence of:

(a) A course that contains supervised hands-on experience, with live patients, in the categories of procedures listed in RCW 18.53.010(2) or is supplemented by residency, internship, or other supervised program that offers hands-on experience with patients. The course must:

(i) Be offered by an institution of higher education accredited by those agencies recognized by the United States Department of Education or the Council on Higher Education; and

(ii) Approved by the Washington state board of optometry.

(b) Successful completion of one of the following examinations for advanced procedures:

(i) National examination for advanced procedures as defined by the National Board of Examiners in Optometry; or

(ii) Examination provided by the course offered by an institution that meets (a)(i) of this subsection;

(3) Enter into an agreement with a qualified physician licensed under chapter 18.71 RCW or an osteopathic physician licensed under chapter 18.57 RCW for rapid response if complications occur during an advanced procedure:

(a) For the purpose of this section, a qualified physician means a physician who is actively licensed under chapter 18.71 or 18.57 RCW and who is trained in and capable of responding to complications which may arise from the optometric advanced procedures defined in RCW 18.53.010(2);

(b) The optometrist shall maintain the completed and signed documentation and have it available upon request by the board if audited;

(4) 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;

(5) Optometrists are excluded from performing the procedures listed in RCW 18.53.010(3). The performance of these procedures would be considered professional misconduct and would be subject to disciplinary action by the board of optometry.