Optometrist / Tennessee
2026 data Tennessee board official source

Tennessee Optometrist License Requirements

Compiled from official public sources by the publisher.

Official regulator records behind the requirements, fees, and renewal cycle for this license.

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Examines eyes for vision defects and prescribes corrective lenses.

What the Tennessee data shows for Optometrists

Becoming a licensed optometrist in Tennessee means clearing a defined set of hurdles: 4,378 training hours, a passing score on NBEO Exam Series, plus a background history check once the applicant turns 18. Tennessee regulators place this credential inside their licensing framework, which classifies the training track as "Doctor of Optometry (OD)".

Budget $236 to get started, plus $198 at each renewal on a 2-year cycle. Maintaining the license requires 40 hours of continuing education per 2-year cycle, an ongoing cost applicants often underestimate when budgeting the career.

Reciprocity for this profession works like this: Not part of compact — state-by-state endorsement.

Licensing Ease Score

F
Licensing Ease Score
30/100
Optometrist · Tennessee

A higher score means this specific license is LESS burdensome to obtain and maintain here than the national requirement corpus, based on education hours, fees, continuing education, and experience requirements, not an overall judgment of the profession or the state.

Education & Training F
4,378 hours
Documented education/training hours required
Initial Fee F
$236
One-time application/license fee
Renewal Burden F
$99/yr
$198 every 2 years
Continuing Education F
20.0 hrs/yr
40 hours every 2 years
Experience Required A+
None required
Supervised work experience required before licensure

Licensing Requirements in Tennessee

Education / Training Hours
Doctor of Optometry (OD)
4,378 hours
Exam Requirement
NBEO Exam Series
Required
Initial License Fee
$236
Renewal Fee
$198
Renewal Cycle
Every 2 years
Continuing Education
40 hrs/cycle
Criminal History Check
Required
Minimum Age
18 years

Compare & Explore

Compare all states for Optometrist All Tennessee licenses
Data sources: NCSL Occupational Licensing Database, Institute for Justice, state licensing boards. Verify current requirements with Tennessee licensing authorities before making career decisions.

Frequently Asked Questions

What license do I need for Optometrist in Tennessee? ▼
In Tennessee, the license path calls for 4378 education/training hours, a passing score on NBEO Exam Series, and a $236 initial fee. A criminal background check is required as well.
How do I get certified as an Optometrist in Tennessee? ▼
Certification as an optometrist in Tennessee means clearing the state's checklist: 4378 hours of education, and a passing exam score. The Tennessee licensing board can confirm the current details.
Can I transfer my Optometrist license to Tennessee from another state? ▼
Here's how reciprocity typically plays out for optometrists: Not part of compact — state-by-state endorsement. Many occupations are additionally covered by interstate licensing compacts that ease cross-state moves. Check with the Tennessee licensing board for how this applies to you.
Does Tennessee require a background check for Optometrist licensing? ▼
Tennessee does require a background check before issuing an optometrist license. What counts as disqualifying, and how it's reviewed, is up to the state licensing board.
What are the continuing education requirements for Optometrist in Tennessee? ▼
To stay licensed as an optometrist in Tennessee, plan on 40 hours of continuing education per 2-year renewal cycle; renewal itself runs $198.

Related Guides

What to do with this optometrist license

Optometrist in Tennessee, with a documented reciprocity path, is one requirement row in an optometrist-wide, 50-state comparison.

  • See how Tennessee's optometrist requirements compare to every other state before relocating. Optometrist in every state
  • Confirm whether your out-of-state optometrist license transfers under an interstate compact before starting a new application. Reciprocity guide
  • See how Tennessee's overall licensing burden compares to other states, not just this one profession. Tennessee overview

Requirements shown are compiled from NCSL and Institute for Justice research; verify current rules with the Tennessee licensing board before making career decisions.

Source: NCSL Occupational Licensing Database, Institute for Justice License to Work (3rd Ed.), state licensing board websites

According to the National Conference of State Legislatures and the Institute for Justice, the PlainCredential comparison corpus (current as of May 15, 2026) maps 4,947 state licensing requirement records; see the methodology.

Read our methodology - how this data is sourced, computed, and verified.