Department of Health
Susan R. Cooper, MSN, RN, Commissioner
About
Featured Links
- Notice to all Health Care Practitioners with Prescriptive Authority
- Legislative Updates Now Available
- Controlled Substance Data Collection Effective December 1, 2006(PDF)
- Criminal Background Check Required for New Applications
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 is 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 other state.
The administrative staff of the Division of Health Related Boards supports the Board by issuing licenses to those who meet all requirements. Renewal notices are mailed from the Board's administrative office forty-five (45) days prior to the expiration of the license to the current address on record. 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. Licensees are responsible for renewing their licenses on time and keeping the Board apprised of current information. It is a violation of the law and of the board’s rules to practice on an expired license. Licensees are responsible for renewing on time and keeping the Board apprised of current information.
The Board is required by statute 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 and serve five (5) year terms. The six (6) member 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.
Contact the Board of Optometry
To contact this 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| David Talley, O.D. | Secretary | Optometrist | 06-30-2012 |
| Kimberly Button | Member | Consumer | 06-30-2009 |
| Linda Tharp, O.D | Vice Chair | Optometrist | 06-30-2011 |
| Richard Orgain, O.D. | Chair | Optometrist | 06-30-2009 |
| Jeff Foster, O.D. | Member | Optometrist | 06-30-2013 |
| Scott Spivey, O.D. | Member | Optometrist | 06-30-2010 |
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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| February 17, 2010 | 9:00 a.m. | Board Meeting Poplar Room, 227 French Landing |
Public Notice |
| May 26, 20010 | 9:00 a.m. | Board Meeting Poplar Room, 227 French Landing |
|
| August 25, 2010 | 9:00 a.m. | Board Meeting Poplar Room, 227 French Landing |
|
| October 27, 2010 | 9:00 a.m. | Board Meeting Poplar Room, 227 French Landing |
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 (Minutes will be posted as soon as they are available.)
- September 29, 2009 Teleconference
- August 12, 2009
- May 20, 2009
- May 6, 2009
- February 11, 2009
- November 5, 2008
- August 27, 2008
- May 7, 2008
- February 13, 2008
- November 9, 2007
- September 14, 2007
- May 23, 2007
- February 28, 2007
- November 29, 2006
- September 29, 2006
- June 28, 2006
- March 22, 2006
- November 23, 2005
- August 12, 2005
- May 4, 2005
- January 26, 2005
- November 18, 2004
- August 20, 2004
- May 5, 2004
- February 11, 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 Association of Regulatory Boards of Optometry may be obtained by phone, fax, Internet, or writing to:
Association of Regulatory Boards of Optometry (ARBO)
1750 South Brentwood Blvd., Suite 503
St. Louis, MO 63144
Phone: (314) 785-6000
Fax: (314) 785-6002
Email: arbo@arbo.org
www.arbo.org
Follow Us On
