California Optometry Law Exam (COLE): 2024 Guide to Passing on Your First Try

Table of Contents#

1. What Is the California Optometry Law Exam (COLE)?
2. COLE Eligibility Requirements
3. Exam Format, Scoring, and Logistics
4. Key Topic Areas Covered on the COLE
5. 4-Week Step-by-Step Study Plan to Pass the COLE
6. Common Mistakes to Avoid on Exam Day
7. What to Do If You Fail the COLE
8. Next Steps After Passing the COLE
9. References

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What Is the California Optometry Law Exam (COLE)?#

Administered by the California State Board of Optometry (CSBO), the COLE is a mandatory assessment for all applicants seeking a California optometry license, including clinicians already licensed in other U.S. states. Its core purpose is to ensure all practicing optometrists in California understand state-specific rules that are not covered on national NBEO exams, to protect patient safety and uphold professional standards.

Unlike clinical exams, the COLE has no hands-on component, and all questions focus on regulatory and ethical compliance for optometry practice in California.

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COLE Eligibility Requirements#

You can apply to take the COLE once you meet the following criteria, as of 2024:

1. Hold a Doctor of Optometry (OD) degree from an Accreditation Council on Optometric Education (ACOE)-accredited program, or an equivalent international degree approved by the CSBO
2. Have passed NBEO Part I (Applied Basic Science) and NBEO Part II (Clinical Science)
3. Submitted a complete COLE application to the CSBO, including official transcripts and exam verification documents
4. Paid the $350 non-refundable COLE exam fee

Note: You do not need to pass NBEO Part III (Clinical Skills) to register for the COLE, which allows you to complete both assessments in parallel to speed up your licensing timeline.

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Exam Format, Scoring, and Logistics#

The COLE is administered year-round at Pearson VUE testing centers across California and select nationwide locations. Key details about the test structure:

• 100 multiple-choice questions (mix of fact-based and scenario-based questions)
• 2-hour time limit, with no scheduled breaks
• Scored on a scale of 0 to 100, with a minimum passing score of 75
• You will receive a preliminary unofficial score immediately after completing the exam, with official scores sent to you and the CSBO within 14 business days
• Once your application is approved, you have 90 days to schedule your test date

On exam day, you are required to bring two forms of government-issued ID (one with a photograph and signature). No personal items including phones, notes, or watches are allowed in the testing room; a dry-erase board and marker will be provided for scratch work.

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Key Topic Areas Covered on the COLE#

The CSBO publishes an official content outline for the COLE, with the following topic weightings to help you prioritize your study time:

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4-Week Step-by-Step Study Plan to Pass the COLE#

Most test-takers need 10-15 hours of focused study to pass the COLE. This 4-week plan is optimized for first-time pass rates:

1. Week 1: Gather official resources Start with free, updated official materials first to avoid outdated third-party content:
   • CSBO official Optometry Practice Act and exam content outline
   • CSBO 20-question sample practice test
   • California CMIA and HIPAA crosswalk guide
   • CURES user guide for prescribers Optional: California Optometric Association (COA) members get access to a full-length COLE practice test and live review webinars
2. Week 2: Deep dive into high-weight topics Focus first on the Practice Act and patient privacy rules, which make up 55% of the exam. Create flashcards for numerical values (CE hours, record retention timelines, fee limits) as these are common test questions.
3. Week 3: Practice and remediate gaps Complete all available practice questions, and track your performance by topic area. Spend extra time reviewing content you missed, rather than re-studying material you already know. Join a COLE study group with other California OD applicants to review tricky scenario questions.
4. Week 4: Final review and prep Take one full-length timed practice test to build test stamina. Confirm your test location, ID requirements, and appointment time 2 days before your exam. Avoid cramming the night before to reduce test-day anxiety.

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Common Mistakes to Avoid on Exam Day#

1. Relying only on national law knowledge: California rules are often stricter than national standards (e.g. longer record retention requirements, additional privacy rules under CMIA) so do not assume your general optometry law knowledge is sufficient.
2. Skipping fine print on numerical requirements: Examiners regularly test memorization of timelines, CE hour requirements, and prescribing limits, so be sure you have these committed to memory.
3. Getting stuck on hard questions: You have 1.2 minutes per question, so flag challenging questions and return to them later rather than wasting time on a single item.
4. Bringing invalid ID: Your ID must match the name on your test registration exactly and cannot be expired; invalid ID will result in you being turned away from the testing center and forfeiting your exam fee.

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What to Do If You Fail the COLE#

If you do not pass, the CSBO will send you a detailed score report breaking down your performance by topic area to help you target your re-study. Key rules for retakes:

• You can retake the COLE up to 3 times in a 12-month period
• You must wait at least 30 days between attempts
• A $350 exam fee is required for each retake
• If you fail 3 times, you must submit a petition to the CSBO to request additional attempts, including proof of 10+ hours of focused COLE study since your last attempt.

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Next Steps After Passing the COLE#

Once you receive your official passing COLE score, you can finalize your California optometry license application by submitting the following to the CSBO:

1. Official NBEO Part III (Clinical Skills) passing scores
2. Completed fingerprint background check
3. Proof of malpractice insurance (minimum $1 million per incident,$3 million aggregate)
4. Initial $500 license fee

Most licenses are processed and issued within 4-6 weeks of submitting all required documents. Remember that you will need to complete 2 hours of California optometry law CE every 2-year renewal cycle to maintain your license.

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References#

1. California State Board of Optometry. (2024). California Optometry Law Exam (COLE) Information. Retrieved from https://www.dca.ca.gov/bsopt/examinations/cole.shtml
2. California State Board of Optometry. (2024). Optometry Practice Act. Retrieved from https://www.dca.ca.gov/bsopt/laws/practice_act.shtml
3. California Department of Health Care Services. (2024). Confidentiality of Medical Information Act (CMIA) Guidelines. Retrieved from https://www.dhcs.ca.gov/formsandpubs/laws/confidentiality/Pages/cmia.aspx
4. California Optometric Association. (2024). COLE Prep Resources. Retrieved from https://www.coanet.org/education/cole-prep