Qualifications For Licensure

An applicant and licensee must: (1) Be a United States citizen. (2) Be at least 18 years of age. (3) Provide evidence that he is well regarded in moral character and professional ethics (Rule 0480-01-.05). (4) Meet the following educational requirements: (a) Be a graduate of an accredited high school or possess an equivalency of a high school education. The education requirements must be completed prior to the date of application; and either (b) Have satisfactorily completed a two-year course of study in opticianry in a college level program recognized and approved by the Board; or (c) Have had practical training and experience (apprenticeship) of a grade and character satisfactory to the Board as an Apprentice for not less than three (3) years or more than six (6) years under the Sponsoring Supervision of a Sponsoring Supervisor. Practical training prior to age 15 will not be considered in determining the time spent in the apprenticeship training program. Attendance in an accredited school or an approved college level program that shall specifically include study in the following will GENERAL RULES GOVERNING DISPENSING OPTICIANS CHAPTER 0480-01 be considered as time toward fulfilling the three (3) year requirement. Time will be computed hour for hour exactly as hours spent in the apprenticeship training program: 1. Anatomy and Physiology of the Eye 2. Optical Theory 3. Applied Ophthalmic and Geometric Optics 4. Ophthalmic Lens Design 5. Lens Measurement and Inspection 6. Lens Surfacing and Fabrication 7. Fitting Techniques 8. Keratometry 9. The Use of the Slit Lamp, Radius Scope, Lensometer, Thickness and Diameter Gauges, and other instruments that do not determine refractive power or diseases and ailments of the eye 10. Methods of Fitting Contact Lenses 11. Post-fitting Contact Lens Care (d) If the applicant holds an unrestricted dispensing optician license in another state, the length of time for that state’s training and supervised experience requirements for initial licensure shall be considered as time toward fulfilling Tennessee’s three (3) year requirement.