Board of Optometry

Continuing Education

The amendment to Rule 1045-02-.05(1) changes total required continuing education hours from thirty (30) to forty (40).  Effective January 1, 2020, an Optometrist with a renewal date in the year 2020 and beyond must complete forty (40) hours of Board approved continuing education during the twenty-four (24) months that precede the licensure renewal month.

CPR Certification Requirement (2016)

For those therapeutically certified optometrists who have received approval to use pharmaceutical agents by injection pursuant to subparagraph 1045-02-.07 (3)(d), current certification in cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) is required.

POLICY FOR CEs FOR CONTINUING EDUCATION IN CONTROLLED SUBSTANCES 04/05/2022

BOARD APPROVED COURSES FOR CONTINUING EDUCATION IN CONTROLLED SUBSTANCE PRESCRIBING - See Rule 1045-02-.05(1)(a)

  • Southern College of Optometry (SCO) - synchronous COPE ID# 79262-EJ, expires 07/12/2023
  • Southern College of Optometry (SCO) - asynchronus COPE ID# 72429-EJ, expires 04/20/2024
  • Tennessee Association of Optometric Physicians (TAOP) - Non-COPE, approved by the Board, April 2015
  • Optometric Education Consultants - synchronous COPE ID# 78133-PH, expires 04/18/2023
  • Optometric Education Consultants - synchronous COPE ID# 80300-PH, expires 08/30/2023
  • Optometric Education Consultants - online interactive COPE ID# 80985-PH, expires 10/07/2023 
  • Optometric Education Consultants - synchronous COPE ID# 83672-PH, expires 03/08/2024
  • Optometric Education Consultants - synchronous COPE ID# 82805-PH, expires 02/06/2024
  • Optometric Education Consultants - online enduring COPE ID# 71871-PH, expires 03/23/2024

CONTINUING EDUCATION APPROVED VENDOR LIST -  See Rule 1045-02-.05(2)(a)2

  1. Course(s) sponsored by an Optometry College accredited by the American Council on Optometric Education (ACOE).
  2. Course(s) sponsored by the American Optometric Association (AOA) or an affiliate of the AOA.  Effective 01/01/2024, affiliate courses will no longer be accepted under this rule.
  3. Course(s) sponsored by the Tennessee Association of Optometric Physicians (TAOP) or an affiliate of TAOP. Effective 01/01/2024, affiliate courses will no longer be accepted under this rule.
  4. Course(s) sponsored by the American Academy of Optometry (AAO) or an affiliate of the AAO. Effective 01/01/2024, affiliate courses will no longer be accepted under this rule.
  5. Course(s) offered at Southern Educational Congress of Optometry (SECO)
  6. Course(s) offered at Tennessee Academy of Optometry

The Tennessee Board of Optometry reserves the right to amend this list as necessary. Any questions or concerns should be directed to the Administrative Office of the Tennessee Board of Optometry.