§ 63-8-101. Short Title
This chapter may be cited as the “Optometry Law.”
§ 63-8-102. Chapter Definitions
As used in this chapter unless the context otherwise requires: “Board” means the board of optometry created by this chapter or similar boards created by the optometry law of other states; “Certificate of fitness” means the certificate issued by the board certifying to the division that the person therein named has met the requirements of […]
§ 63-8-103. Board of Optometry — Created — Members — Terms
A board is created that shall be known and designated as the board of optometry. This board shall consist of five (5) members, all of whom shall be licensed to practice the full scope of optometry and be residents of Tennessee and actively practicing optometrists in Tennessee for a period of five (5) or more […]
§ 63-8-104. Oath of Board Members
All members of the board shall, before entering upon the duties of their office, take and subscribe to the oath, filed with the secretary-treasurer of the board.
§ 63-8-105. Appointments to the Board
The members of the board shall be appointed by the governor. Members may be appointed from lists of qualified nominees submitted by interested optometric groups, including, but not limited to, the Tennessee Association of Optometric Physicians. The governor shall consult with such interested groups to determine qualified persons to fill the positions. A member shall […]
§ 63-8-106. Removal of Members of Board
The governor or the board shall have the right to remove from office any or all of the members of the board for inefficiency, neglect of duty or the violation of this chapter. If the certificate of registration or license of any member of the board is suspended or revoked for cause after the hearing […]
§ 63-8-107. Officers of Board — Meetings — Examinations
The board shall choose one (1) of its members as chair, one (1) as vice chair and one (1) as secretary-treasurer, annually. The board may meet, in its discretion, at such times and places as it may deem proper for the examination of applicants who wish to practice optometry in this state and for the […]
§ 63-8-108. Quorum — Records of Board
A majority of the members of the board shall at all times constitute a quorum for the transaction of business, and the proceedings of the board shall be recorded in a minute book that shall be open at all reasonable times to public inspection. The board shall keep a record book in which shall be […]
§ 63-8-109. Reports of Board
The secretary-treasurer of the board shall make such reports of the operation of the board as requested by the governor, appropriate committees of the general assembly or as otherwise required by law.
§ 63-8-110. Compensation of Board Members
The members of the board shall be paid their expenses, including mileage, hotel expenses, meals and the sum of one hundred dollars ($100) per diem when actually engaged in the discharge of their official duties. Each member shall be reimbursed for travel expenses in accordance with the comprehensive travel regulations as promulgated by the department […]
§ 63-8-111. Administrative Support
The board shall receive administrative support from the division.
§ 63-8-112. Powers of Board — Examinations
The board is given authority to: Make rules, regulations, policies and procedures not inconsistent with the laws of this state for the proper performance of its duties to carry out the purposes and to enforce this chapter; Provide a standard of efficiency as to the moral, educational and experience qualifications and fitness of all persons […]
§ 63-8-113. Unlawful Practices — Advertising
It is unlawful for any person not duly licensed in accordance with this chapter to: Engage in the practice of optometry; Claim to be a practitioner of optometry; Attempt by any means whatsoever to determine the kind or power of ophthalmic materials needed by any person to remedy or relieve defects of vision or muscular […]
§ 63-8-114. Exemptions
Nothing in this chapter shall be construed: As applying to medical doctors and doctors of osteopathic medicine lawfully entitled to practice their profession in this state; As applying to an optometric faculty member licensed in another state and employed full time by an accredited school or college of optometry in this state; provided, that the […]
§ 63-8-115. Qualifications of Applicants
Every person who desires to practice optometry in this state shall submit an application to the board. Each applicant must show sufficient information for the board to determine that the applicant meets all of the following requirements: Is over twenty-one (21) years of age; Is of good moral character; Is a graduate of a school […]
§ 63-8-116. Display of Certificate
Each person to whom a certificate of registration is issued shall keep the certificate conspicuously displayed in that person’s office, as required by § 63-1-109 and shall when requested exhibit the same to any member or representative of the board.
§ 63-8-118. Discrimination Between Ocular Practitioners Prohibited
No state board, commission or department created or existing by act of the general assembly, including public schools or other state agencies in the performance of their duties, shall in any way show any discrimination between ocular practitioners. All boards or commissions shall honor ocular reports or other professional services by legally qualified and licensed […]
§ 63-8-119. Annual Registration — Continuing Education
Every registered optometrist who desires to continue to practice in this state shall pay an annual renewal fee to defray the cost of regulating optometry and shall furnish satisfactory evidence of having met minimum continuing education requirements, as set by the board. The board may, in its sole discretion, waive the annual educational requirement and/or […]
§ 63-8-120. Discipline of Certificate Holders
The board may refuse to issue an annual renewal certificate, may suspend or revoke any certificate issued by it, censure, reprimand, place on probation and assess a civil penalty up to one thousand dollars ($1,000) for each separate violation whenever the certificate holder is found guilty of any of the following acts or offenses: Fraud […]
§ 63-8-121. Administrative Procedures
The Uniform Administrative Procedures Act, compiled in title 4, chapter 5, shall apply to all proceedings of the board and regulations promulgated pursuant to this chapter.