Tenn. Comp. R. & Regs. 0480-01-.02 - SCOPE OF PRACTICE

(1) The practice of optical dispensing includes the preparation, adaptation and dispensing of lenses, spectacles, eye glasses and optical devices on the written prescription of an optometrist or a physician including the interpretation of written prescriptions and the transposing of prescriptions.

(2) Nothing contained in these rules shall be construed to permit persons licensed under T.C.A. §§ 63-14-101 through 63-14-121 to examine or exercise eyes, nor to diagnose, treat, or prescribe for any human injury, disease or ailment.

(3) Dispensing opticians may fit contact lenses only in the presence of and under the direct supervision of a licensed optometrist or ophthalmologist.

(4) Nothing in this section or in this chapter shall be construed to require the licensing of persons, firms or corporations which are wholesale suppliers to opticians, optometrists or ophthalmologists, of lenses, spectacles, eye glasses or optical devices, or to prevent such persons, firms or corporations from the preparation of lenses, spectacles, eye glasses or optical devices, defined to be the surfacing, fabrication, or finishing of any substance or material used or to be used for the correction of human vision, or the adaptation of such lenses, spectacles, eye glasses or optical devices, defined to be the mounting of such a prepared substance or material to frames or to other devices designed to be worn by the user thereof, as long as such preparation or adaptation is done under the written order of an ophthalmologist or optometrist only, and as long as such lenses, spectacles, eye glasses or optical devices so prepared or adapted are delivered directly to the office of an ophthalmologist, optometrist or dispensing optician, and as long as such persons, firms or corporations do not engage in advertising as to the price of either the finished product or any part thereof.

Notes

Tenn. Comp. R. & Regs. 0480-01-.02

Original rule filed August 2, 1995; effective October 16, 1995. Amendment filed April 1, 2015; effective 6/30/2015.

Authority: T.C.A. §§ 4-5-202, 4-5-204, 63-14-101, 63-14-102, and 63-14-103.