Board of Optometry

Licenses and regulates those qualified to practice optometry in Tennessee.

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.

Licensure Scam Alert

The Department of Health has been made aware that some licensees of a few different health licensure boards have received fraudulent communications from individuals claiming to be from those licensee’s licensing boards. The communications, often by phone, may threaten arrest or license suspension, demand personal information, or require payment of fines.  Some of them have been accompanied by fraudulent letters claiming to suspend the license. Please note: 

  • Phone calls may “spoof” or appear to be from the boards’ number;
  • If you need to verify the identity of a TN board investigator, call (615) 741-8485 or email OIV.Complaints@tn.gov.
  • The health-related board investigators will never demand that you provide personally identifying information, such as a social security number, date of birth, or bank or credit card account numbers over the phone;
  • These types of licensing scams are a problem nationwide.

 If you believe you are the recipient of a fraudulent communication claiming to be from your licensing board:

  • If you believe you are the recipient of a fraudulent communication claiming to be from your licensing board:
  • Report the communication to the Internet Crime Complaint Center Internet Crime Complaint Center at using the code "TDHHPBSCAM2026".  This will allow law enforcement to link these scams for improved investigation.
  • Complainants can alternatively call the Fusion Center Tipline (800TBIFIND) or submit a tip online at TBI but the IC3 is preferred.

·         Notify the Department of Health at (615) 741-8485 or email OIV.Complaints@tn.gov

  • The Federal Trade Commission also accepts reports about “Imposter Scams” online or at 1-877-382-4357.

Featured Links

Contact

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

Applying for Licensure

When completing the application process below, you will be required to submit an official transcript from the institution where you completed your education. The transcript must be mailed directly from the educational institution to the board office located at 665 Mainstream Drive, Nashville, TN 37243.

Applications

Applying for initial licensure from your professional licensing board has become a bit easier.  For the past year, the Department of Health has been working on an online application process that will allow all health care professionals to apply online for an initial license and complete (and update as necessary) a practitioner profile mandatory for certain professions.  The process is user friendly and convenient and even allows you to pay for your initial application utilizing a credit card, debit card or e-check.  You will also be able to upload many of the documents required to complete your initial application!  Please go to the initial application link below to begin the online process.

For mailing documents please send to: Board of Optometry; 665 Mainstream Dr; Nashville TN 37243

Meetings, Members, & Minutes

Meeting Schedule

Public Notices will remain online until the minutes are ratified and posted on the Meeting Minutes page.

Unless otherwise noted, all events take place at 665 Mainstream Drive, MetroCenter.

Board Members

Board Members Title Representation Term Expires
James Venable, O.D. Board Vice Chair Optometrist 06-30-2026
Linda Tharp, O.D. Board Chair Optometrist 06-30-2027
Zachary McCarty, O.D. Board Secretary-Treasurer Optometrist 06-30-2028
Kenneth Young, O.D. Board Member Optometrist 06-30-2024
Vacant Board Member Optometrist 06-30-2025
Vacant Citizen Member Consumer XX/XX/XXXX

Meeting Minutes

Meeting Minutes

Copies of all minutes are maintained in the official record section of the administrative office. 

Continuing Competence

Failure to comply with continuing competence requirements may result in disciplinary action against the licensee.  The disciplinary action will be reported on the Department of Health license verification web site and will not be removed.

2024 TPTA Approved Course

2024-2025 Dry Needling Approved courses 

Continuing Education

Failure to comply with continuing education requirements may result in disciplinary action against the licensee or registrant. The disciplinary action will be reported on the Department of Health license verification web site. 

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 04/05/2023

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) - synchronous COPE ID# 88865-EJ, expires 12/14/2024
  • Southern College of Optometry (SCO) - In Person COPE ID# 95482-EJ, 04/05/2025
  • Southern College of Optometry (SCO) - asynchronus COPE ID# 72429-EJ, expires 04/20/2024
  • Southern College of Optometry (SCO) - asynchronus COPE ID# 90581-EJ, expires 03/12/2027
  • Tennessee Association of Optometric Physicians (TAOP) - Non-COPE, approved by the Board, April 2015, taught live through 10/12/023, still available online; synchronous in-person, COPE ID# 99729-EJ, expires 08/26/2026
  • Tennessee Association of Optometric Physicians (TAOP) - synchronous in-person, COPE ID# 86671-PH, expires 09/07/2024
  • Tennessee Association of Optometric Physicians (TAOP) - synchronous in-person, COPE ID# 93483-PH, expires 09/10/2025
  • 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, replaced after expiration with sunchronous in-person COPE ID# 99250-PH, expires 08/07/2026
  • 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

No prior approval or COPE approval is required for the following:

  1. Courses sponsored by an Optometry College accredited by the Accreditation Council on Optometric Education (ACOE).
  2. Courses sponsored by the American Optometric Association (AOA) and all state Optometric Associations.
  3. Courses sponsored by the Tennessee Association of Optometric Physicians (TAOP).
  4. Courses sponsored by the American Academy of Optometry (AAO).
  5. Courses 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.

Updated through Board action taken on 06/12/2024.

Educational Programs

Educational Programs

Southern College of Optometry
1245 Madison Avenue
Memphis, TN 38104-2222
Phone: 901-722-3200
Phone: 800-238-0180
http://www.sco.edu/

Frequently Asked Questions

Questions

Please go to this link: https://www.tn.gov/health/health-professionals/criminal-background-check/cbc-instructions.html
And follow the directions that are applicable to you.
If you are an out of state applicant, we will mail you the fingerprint card upon receipt of your application.
Your OCA # is: 1812

You can update your address/name online at https://lars.tn.gov. If you don’t have an account already, you’ll make an account, onboard your license and then you may update your information. The next time you renew your license, you will receive certificates with your updated name. If you want an updated certificate before then, you can order a replacement copy of your license online at https://lars.tn.gov for $25.
-The Wall Certificate is the large manila certificate that has the state seal on it.
-The Renewal Certificate is the medium sized blue/green

The Board will accept all courses under the classification COPE has assigned to the course and used when posting the course to the OE Tracker.

All requests, applications, notices, complaints, other communications and correspondence shall be directed to the Administrative Office of the Board no less than 14 days prior to a regularly scheduled meeting of the Board or the item will be set over to the next regularly scheduled meeting thereafter.

No, to be compliant with the Board’s Rules for continuing education, all continuing education must be completed during the 24 months that precede the license renewal month (“CE Cycle”). Any required hours not completed during the CE Cycle may be subject to an Agreed Citation or other escalated disciplinary actions.

No, current CPR certification is to be maintained by licensees and is in addition to the 40 hours of Board-approved continuing education hours each CE Cycle.

The first license issued will be valid for at least 12 months but may be active for more than 12 months as a new licensee enters the licensure renewal cycle. Every license issued after the first renewal date will expire every 24 months. The expiration date is printed on all license certificates. While the Board Administrative Office will send one courtesy renewal notice, the license will expire whether the notice has been received or not. It is the responsibility of the licensee to know when their license expires and to renew accordingly.

Policies, Rules, & Statutes

Policies

Rules

 

Click here for Rules and Regulations pertaining to the Tennessee Board of Optometry

Statutes

Statutes are proposed and made law by the Tennessee State General Assembly (Legislature). The Board, following specific notice requirements and hearings, adopts rules. Both have the force of law and may be used in the regulation of a profession. The statutes pertaining to this Board are found at T.C.A. 63-1 (Division of Health Related Boards), T.C.A. 63-2 (Medical Records) and T.C.A. 63-8 (Optometrists).

Click here to review the Tennessee Code Annotated. (This link will take you to a website that is not maintained by the Tennessee Department of Health).

This Page Last Updated: March 30, 2026 at 10:52 AM