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 01/10/2024

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.

Board-approved Entities for CPR courses (see policy in link, above, for details):

  • American Heart Association (initial and recertification)
  • American Red Cross (initial and recertification)
  • Health & Safety Institute (initial and recertification)
  • ProCPR, Inc. (online course, recertification only)
  • International CPR Institute, Inc. (online course, recertification only)
  • Schools or colleges of optometry accredited by the ACOE, the National Commission on Accrediting, or the United States Secretary of Education (initial certification only)

BOARD STATEMENT 07/12/2023 REGARDING THE MATE ACT

Any requirements of the MATE Act for DEA certification/recertification are in addition to, and separate from, the TN Board of Optometry's Policy for Continuing Education in Controlled Substances and the rules regarding continuing education for licensure.  

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, taught live through 10/12/023, still available online
  • Tennessee Association of Optometric Physicians (TAOP) - synchronous in-person, COPE ID# 86671-PH, expires 09/07/2024
  • 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, replaced after expiration with synchronous in-person COPE ID# 88256-PH, expires 11/21/2024
  • Optometric Education Consultants - asynchronous COPE ID# 71871-PH, expires 03/23/2024, replaced after expiration with asynchronous COPE ID#89454-PH, expires 01/23/2027

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

Updated through Board action taken on 04/03/2024.

  1. Courses sponsored or co-sponsored by an Optometry College accredited by the American Council on Optometric Education (ACOE).
  2. Courses sponsored or co-sponsored by the American Optometric Association (AOA).
  3. Courses sponsored or co-sponsored by the Tennessee Association of Optometric Physicians (TAOP).
  4. Courses sponsored or co-sponsored by the American Academy of Optometry (AAO).
  5. Courses sponsored or co-sponsored by the Southern Educational Congress of Optometry (SECO).
  6. Courses offered by the 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.