License Renewal

All optometrists licensed by the Board must renew those licenses to be able to legally continue in practice. Licensure renewal is governed by the following: (1) The due date for renewal is the last day of the month in which a licensee’s birthdate falls pursuant to the Division of Health Related Boards’ biennial birthdate renewal system. (a) Internet Renewals – Individuals may apply for renewal and pay the necessary fees via the Internet. The application to renew can be accessed at: https://apps.tn.gov/hlrs/ (b) Paper Renewals – For individuals who have not renewed their license online via the Internet, a renewal application form will be mailed to each individual licensed by the Board to the last address provided to the Board. Failure to receive such notification does not relieve the licensee from the responsibility of meeting all requirements for renewal. (2) To be eligible for licensure renewal, an optometrist must submit to the Board administrative office on or before the due date for renewal all the following: (a) A completed Board approved application form. (b) The biennial renewal fee as provided in Rule 1045-02-.01(1)(d). (c) The biennial state regulatory fee as provided in Rule 1045-02-.01(5). GENERAL RULES GOVERNING THE PRACTICE OF OPTOMETRY CHAPTER 1045-02 (3) The Board, in cases of documented illness, disability, other undue hardship or retirement, may (a) Waive the continuing education requirements; and/or (b) Waive the renewal fee (but not the state regulatory fee); or (c) Extend the deadline to complete continuing education requirements. (d) To be considered for a waiver of continuing education requirements, or for an extension of the deadline to complete the continuing education requirements, an optometrist must request such in writing with supporting documentation before the end of the calendar year in which the continuing education requirements were not met. (e) To be considered for a waiver of the renewal fee, an optometrist must request such in writing with supporting documentation on or before the renewal due date. (4) Licensees who fail to comply with the renewal rules or notification received by them concerning failure to timely renew shall have their licenses processed pursuant to Rule 1200- 10-01-.10, unless a waiver or deadline extension is granted pursuant to paragraph (3) of this rule. (5) Reinstatement of an Expired License – Reinstatement of a license that has expired may be accomplished upon meeting the following conditions: (a) Payment of all past due renewal fees and state regulatory fees, pursuant to Rule 1045- 02-.01; and (b) Payment of the reinstatement fee, pursuant to Rule 1045-02-.01; and (c) Provide documentation of successfully completing continuing education requirements for every year the license was expired, pursuant to Rule 1045-02-.05. (6) License renewal and reinstatement applications hereunder shall be treated as license applications, and review and decisions shall be governed by Rule 1045-02-.02. (7) Retirement of Licenses. (a) Licensees who wish to retain their licenses but not actively practice may avoid compliance with the licensure renewal process by: 1. Submitting a Board approved affidavit of retirement form to the Board Administrative Office; and 2. Submitting any documentation which may be required by the form to the Board Administrative Office. (b) Licensees whose licenses have been retired may reenter active practice by: 1. Submitting a written request for licensure reactivation to the Board Administrative Office; and 2. Paying the biennial renewal fee as provided in Rule 1045-02-.01(1)(d). 3. Appearing before the Board, a Board member or Board designee for interviews regarding continued competence, if requested after review. GENERAL RULES GOVERNING THE PRACTICE OF OPTOMETRY CHAPTER 1045-02 4. The Board, a Board member, or designee after the interview may require remedial education and/or examination passage prior to licensure reinstatement. 5. If reactivation was requested prior to the expiration of one (1) year from the date of retirement, the Board may require payment of the reinstatement fee, past due renewal fees, and state regulatory fees as provided in Rule 1045-02-.01; and (c) Retirees may be allowed to practice temporarily pursuant to T.C.A. § 63-8-119(h) upon a written request showing a satisfactory need for reentry into practice. Board approval must be received and may be granted for only a limited period of time.