Department of Health
Susan R. Cooper, MSN, RN, Commissioner
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About the Board of Dispensing Opticians
The Board of Dispensing Opticians was created in 1955 by an act of the State Legislature. Its mission is to safeguard the health, safety, and welfare of Tennesseans by requiring those who practice the profession of opticianry within this state be 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 responsible for the investigation of alleged violations of the Practice Act and rules and is responsible for the discipline of licensees who are found guilty of such violations.
Opticians are licensed by examination.
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 forty-five (45) days prior to the expiration of the license to the current address on record. Licensees are responsible for reviewing their license on time and keeping the Board apprised of current information. Licenses can be renewed on-line one hundred twenty (120) days prior to expiration at Tennessee.gov/health. Click on the "License Renewal" link and follow the prompts. Failure to renew by the expiration date may result in a fine.
The Board is required to meet at least once per year, but typically convenes five (5) or six (6) times per year. A quorum of four (4) members is required to conduct business. The meetings are open to the public.
All members of the Board are appointed by the Governor to serve four (4) year terms. The six (6) member Board consists of five (5) licensed opticians who must each have five (5) years experience and one (1) member who is a health care consumer.
Contact the Board of Dispensing Opticians
To contact the Board, call
(615) 532-3202 local or 1-800-778-4123 nationwide
or write
227 French Landing, Suite 300
Nashville, TN 37243
Members
Board Members
| Board Members | Title | Representation | Term Expires |
|---|---|---|---|
| Kathy Hawkins, DPO | Chair | Dispensing Optician | 03/31/2010 |
| Larry W. Christopher, DPO | Secretary | Dispensing Optician | 03/31/2013 |
| Donald L. Wells, DPO | Member | Dispensing Optician | 03/31/2011 |
| Kimberly A. Jackson, DPO | Member | Dispensing Optician | 03/31/2011 |
| LeRhonda Walton-Hill | Member | Dispensing Optician | 03/31/2012 |
| Edward Risby | Member | Consumer | 03/31/2010 |
Meeting Schedule
Meeting Schedule
Public Notices will remain online until the minutes are ratified and posted on the Meeting Minutes Tab. Unless otherwise noted, all events take place at 227 French Landing, MetroCenter.
| Date | Time | Event and Location | Public Notice |
|---|---|---|---|
| January 6, 2010 | 9:00 a.m. | Board Meeting Poplar Room, Health Related Boards Conference Center, Suite 150 |
Public Notice |
| April 21, 2010 | 9:00 a.m. | Board Meeting Poplar Room, Health Related Boards Conference Center, Suite 150 |
|
| July 28, 2010 | 9:00 a.m. | Board Meeting Poplar Room, Health Related Boards Conference Center, Suite 150 |
|
| October 20, 2010 | 9:00 a.m. | Board Meeting Poplar Room, Health Related Boards Conference Center, Suite 150 |
Meeting Minutes
Meeting Minutes
Copies of all minutes are maintained in the official record section of the administrative office. Please contact the board administrator to make arrangements to review minutes of meetings held prior to 2004.
Copies of all minutes are maintained in the official record section of the administrative office. Please contact the board administrator to make arrangements to review minutes of meetings held prior to 2004.
- November 4, 2009
- October 21, 2009
- June 9, 2009
- April 15, 2009
- January 14, 2009
- October 15, 2008
- June 14, 2008
- June 4, 2008 Agenda (Minutes will be posted as soon as they are available.
- March 26, 2008
- February 28, 2008
- January 15, 2008
- October 29, 2007
- June 20, 2007
- March 26, 2007
- January 17, 2007
- October 11, 2006
- June 2, 2006
- March 29, 2006
- January 11, 2006
- October 5, 2005
- June 8, 2005
- March 30, 2005
- January 11, 2005
- October 13, 2004
- June 4, 2004
- January 14, 2004
- March 31, 2004
National Organization
National Organizations of State Boards
Federation of State Medical Boards of the United States, Inc.
Federation Place
400 Fuller Wiser Road, Suite 300
Euless, Texas 76039-3855
Phone: (817) 868-4000
Fax: (817) 868-4098
www.fsmb.org
Information on the National Committee of State Opticianry Regulatory Boards may be obtained by phone or by writing to:
The Opticians Association of America
7023 Little River Turnpike, Suite 207
Annandale, VA 22003
Phone: (703) 916-8856
Fax: (703) 916-7966
Email: oaa@oaa.org
www.oaa.org
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