West Virginia § 30-8-1 - 30-8-1. Unlawful acts.

§ 30-8-1. 30-8-1. Unlawful acts.

(a) It is unlawful for any person to practice or offer to practice optometry in this state without a license or permit issued under the provisions of this article, or advertise or use any title or description tending to convey the impression that they are an optometrist unless the person has been duly licensed or permitted under the provisions of this article.

(b) A business entity may not render any service or engage in any activity which, if rendered or engaged in by an individual, would constitute the practice of optometry, except through a licensee or permittee.

(c) A licensee may not practice optometry as an employee of any commercial or mercantile establishment.

(d) A licensee may not practice optometry on premises not separate from premises whereon eyeglasses, lenses, eyeglass frames or any other merchandise or products are sold by any other person. For the purposes of this section, any room or suite of rooms in which optometry is practiced shall be considered separate premises if it has a separate and direct entrance from a street or public hallway or corridor within a building, which corridor is partitioned off by partitions from floor to ceiling.

(e) A person who is not licensed under this article as an optometrist may not characterize himself or herself as an "optometrist" or "doctor of optometry" nor may a person use the designation "OD".