Verified October 10, 2026 against the practice act, board rules and sources cited below. The board decides every application. All states
What optometrists miss in Tennessee
- Out-of-state verifications must be mailed directly to the board office.
- Reference letters come from optometrists on their own letterhead.
How does an optometrist licensed elsewhere get a Tennessee license?
Every applicant passes all parts of NBEO and the board's jurisprudence exam, files two reference letters from optometrists and a background check, and has each state ever licensed send verification. The rules set no years-of-practice requirement.
- On NBEO scores
- Board: Tennessee Board of Optometry
Citation: Tenn. Comp. R. & Regs. 1045-02-.02, 1045-02-.03
Which NBEO exams does Tennessee require?
Graduates since Jan. 1, 1992 must pass all parts of NBEO, including clinical skills.
- NBEO: I, II, III
Does Tennessee require a law exam?
Open-book jurisprudence exam mailed by the board and returned with the application; no fee; 90 percent to pass.
- Board law exam
Can optometrists perform laser procedures in Tennessee?
AOA reports a 2026 law letting certified optometrists perform LPI, SLT and YAG from Jan. 1, 2028. Current board rules exclude retina laser procedures.
- Effective 2028-01-01
Citation: Tenn. Comp. R. & Regs. 1045-02-.11 (current exclusions)
Does Tennessee require a controlled substance license?
Therapeutically certified optometrists include 2 hours on controlled substance prescribing in their 25 ocular disease CE hours.
What does Tennessee say about telehealth eye care?
Board telehealth rules require the patient to be physically located in Tennessee, identity verification, provider credential disclosure and signed informed consent.
Citation: Tenn. Comp. R. & Regs. 1045-02-.18
What does a Tennessee optometry license cost?
- Application: $150 nonrefundable application fee (as of Oct 2026)
- Renewal: $275 every 2 years plus a $10 state regulatory fee (as of Oct 2026)
Citation: Tenn. Comp. R. & Regs. 1045-02-.01
How often does a Tennessee license renew?
40 hours in the 24 months before the renewal month; therapeutically certified optometrists need 25 in ocular and related systemic disease, including 2 on controlled substance prescribing. Current CPR required.
- Renews every two years
- Due Last day of the birth month
- 40 CE hours
Licensing in Tennessee?
We prepare every supporting document and a question-by-question guide, order your verifications and NBEO scores, and track the file to a decision; you answer, sign, pay the board and sit every exam. A license is $699 per state, or $799 where the state gives its own exam or interview.