Board of Optometry
Featured Links
- POLICY AMENDMENT - CE Violations 10/12/2022
- POLICY AMENDMENT - Injectable Certification and Licensure 07/13/2022
- RULE CHANGE - Effective 06/21/2022
- NEW POLICY - CE for a Licensee's First Renewal Cycle 04/06/2022
- POLICY AMENDMENT - CEs for Continuing Education in Controlled Substances 01/05/2022
- RULE CHANGE - Effective 03/20/2022
- CPR Certification Requirement (2016)
- Background Checks Required for Those Providing Patient Care
- Volunteer for Mass Emergency Clinics
- REPORT TO A LOCAL LAW ENFORCEMENT AGENCY BY A PROVIDER OF A PERSON ATTEMPTING TO OBTAIN CONTROLLED SUBSTANCES BY DECEPTION
- Legislative Updates
- Criminal Background Check Information for New Applications
About the Board of Optometry
The Board of Optometry was created in 1925 by an act of the State Legislature. Its mission to safeguard the health, safety, and welfare of Tennesseans by requiring that all who practice optometry within this state are qualified. The Board interprets the laws, rules, and regulations to determine the appropriate standards of practice in an effort to ensure the highest degree of professional conduct. The Board is authorized to issue licenses to qualified candidates who have completed appropriate education and successfully completed required examinations. The Board is also responsible for the investigation of alleged violations of the Practice Act and rules and is responsible for the discipline licensees who are found guilty of such violations.
Optometrists may be licensed by either examination or endorsement from another state.
The administrative staff of the Division of Health Related Boards supports the Board by issuing licenses to those who meet the requirements of the law and rules. Renewal notices are mailed from Board’s administrative office
approximately sixty (60) days prior to the expiration of the license to the current address on record. For those licensees who have opted in for electronic notification, an email will be sent to the email address on file approximately
seventy (70) days prior to the expiration date of the license. Licenses can be renewed on-line seventy (70) days prior to expiration. Failure to renew by the expiration date may result in a fine.
The Board meets four (4) times per year. A quorum of four (4) members is required to conduct business. All members of the Board are appointed by the Governor and serve five (5) year terms. The Board consists of five (5) licensed optometrists, who must each have five (5) years of experience, and one (1) member who is a health care consumer.
Contact the Board of Optometry
615-532-5090 local or 1-800-778-4123 nationwide
or write
665 Mainstream Drive, 2nd Floor
Nashville, TN 37243
Email: Unit3HRB.Health@tn.gov