Cross State Licensing

“Healthcare provider” means:

• An individual acting within the scope of a valid license issued pursuant to this title;
• A state-contracted crisis service provider that is employed by a facility licensed under title 33;
• An alcohol and drug abuse counselor licensed under title 68, chapter 24, part 6; or
• A graduate who has completed, or a student actively enrolled in, a professional training program the educational standards of which meet the training requirements for a license under this title or title 68, chapter 24, part 6, as long as the graduate or student:
  • Is providing telehealth services for the purpose of obtaining hours required for licensure or of otherwise fulfilling the educational requirements to apply for licensure; and
  • Is, at all times, supervised by an individual who is licensed under this title or title 68, chapter 24, part 6, with an unencumbered license

Except as provided in subdivisions (g)(2) and (3), to practice under this section a healthcare provider must be licensed to practice in this state or be a graduate or student meeting the requirements of subdivision (a)(1)(D).

A physician must be licensed to practice under chapter 6 or 9 of this title in order to practice telemedicine pursuant to § 63-6-209(b), except as otherwise authorized by law or rule.

An individual licensed in another state who would, if licensed in this state, qualify as a healthcare provider under subsection (a) may practice telehealth under this section while providing healthcare services on a volunteer basis through a free clinic pursuant to title 63, chapter 6, part 7.

Subdivision (a)(1)(A) does not prohibit a healthcare provider otherwise acting within the scope of practice of a valid license issued pursuant to this title from delivering services through the use of telehealth.

SOURCE:  TN Code Sec. 63-1-155 (Accessed Apr. 2025).

The board also has the authority to issue locum tenens and/or conditional licenses as it deems appropriate after reviewing the qualifications of applicants. In addition to the authority granted the board in § 63-6-214, the board has the authority to issue restricted licenses and special licenses based upon licensure to another state for the limited purpose of authorizing the practice of telemedicine to current applicants or current licensees, or both, as it deems necessary, pursuant to the Uniform Administrative Procedures Act, compiled in title 4, chapter 5.

SOURCE: TN Code Annotated Sec. 63-6-209(b). (Accessed Apr. 2025).

No person shall engage in the practice of medicine, either in person or remotely using information transmitted electronically or through other means, on a patient within the state of Tennessee unless duly licensed by the Board in accordance with the provisions of the current statutes and rules. Unless specifically set out in this rule, this rule is not intended to and does not supersede any pre-existing federal or state statutes or rules and is not meant to alter or amend the applicable standard of care in any particular field of medicine or to amend any requirement for the establishment of a physician-patient relationship.

As of the effective date of this rule, the Board will no longer issue what was previously termed a “telemedicine license.” Individuals previously granted a telemedicine license under the former version of this rule may apply to have the license converted to a full license. Such individuals must complete the application for a full license and provide all necessary documentation, though no new application fee will be required as long as application is made within two years of the effective date of this rule. See rule for details for individuals who do not convert to a full license.

SOURCE: TN Rule Annotated, Rule 0880-02.-16. (Accessed Apr. 2025).

The TN Osteopathic Board will still issue a telemedicine license.  See rule for details.

SOURCE: TN Rule Annotated, Rule 1050.02.17.(2) (Accessed Apr. 2025).

Outpatient laboratory testing in Tennessee hospitals may be ordered by the following:

1. Any licensed Tennessee practitioner who is authorized to do so by T.C.A. § 68- 29-121;
2. Any out-of-state practitioner who has a Tennessee telemedicine license issued pursuant to Rule 0880-02-.16; or
3. Any duly licensed out-of-state health care professional as listed in T.C.A. § 68- 29-121 who is authorized by his or her state board to order outpatient laboratory testing in hospitals for individuals with whom that practitioner has an existing face-to-face patient relationship as outlined in Rule 0880-02-.14(7)(a)1., 2., and 3.

Outpatient diagnostic testing in Tennessee hospitals may be ordered by the following:

• Any Tennessee practitioner licensed under Title 63 who is authorized to do so by his or her practice act;
• Any out-of-state practitioner who has a Tennessee telemedicine license issued pursuant to Rule 0880-02-.16; or
• Any duly licensed out-of-state health care professional who is authorized by his or her state board to order outpatient diagnostic testing in hospitals for individuals with whom that practitioner has an existing face-to-face patient relationship as outlined in Rule 0880-02-.14(7)(a)1., 2., and 3.

SOURCE: TN Rule Annotated, Rule 0720-14-.07 (Accessed Apr. 2025).

No person shall engage in the practice of dentistry, either in person or remotely using information transmitted electronically or through other means, on a patient within the state of Tennessee unless duly licensed by the Board in accordance with the provisions of the current statutes and rules. Teledentistry shall not alter or amend the supervision requirements or procedures that are authorized for licensed dental hygienists or registered dental assistants as stated by T.C.A § 63-5-115, 0460-03-.09 and 0460-04-.08.

SOURCE: TN Rule Annotated, Rule 0460-01-.19 (Accessed Apr. 2025).

Board of Speech Pathology and Audiology

This rule applies only to the delivery of services to patients physically located within the state of Tennessee, which requires a license under T.C.A. §§ 63-17-101, et seq., unless such services are being rendered by a volunteer under T.C.A. § 63-1-155(g). Any provider who is licensed by the Board and who wishes to deliver telecommunications services to a patient located in another state must comply with the applicable laws of the other state.

SOURCE: TN Rule Annotated, Rule 1370-01-.21, (Accessed Apr. 2025).

Optometry

An optometrist is a “healthcare services provider” under Tennessee law and shall be licensed and under the jurisdiction of the Tennessee Board of Optometry when utilizing telehealth technology to provide services to a patient located in the State of Tennessee.

Optometrists who treat or prescribe through online services sites are practicing optometry and are under the jurisdiction of the Tennessee Board of Optometry. Optometrists shall possess appropriate licensure through the Tennessee Board of Optometry. The optometrists shall abide by the established requirements for spectacle and contact lens prescription release pursuant to T.C.A. 63-8-101, et seq.

SOURCE: Section 1045-02-.18, (Accessed Apr. 2025).

Chiropractic Examiners

No person shall engage in the practice of chiropractic, either in person or remotely using information transmitted electronically or through other means, on a patient within the state of Tennessee unless duly licensed by the Board in accordance with the provisions of the current statutes and rules. Unless specifically set out in this rule, this rule is not intended to and does not supersede any pre-existing federal or state statutes or rules and is not meant to alter or amend the applicable standard of care in any particular healthcare field or to amend any requirement for the establishment of a chiropractic physician-patient relationship.

Effect of License – The issuance by the Board of a license to practice chiropractic subjects the licensee to the jurisdiction of the Board in all matters set forth in the Chiropractic Practice Act and implementing rules and regulations, including all matters related to discipline. The licensee agrees to produce patient medical records and materials as requested by the Board and to appear before the Board upon receipt of notice from the Board commanding such appearance. Failure of the licensee to appear and/or to produce records or materials as requested, after appropriate notice, shall constitute grounds to suspend or revoke the license at the Board’s discretion.

Chiropractic physicians who are contractually obligated to provide and/or deliver chiropractic services in Tennessee must be licensed to practice chiropractic in Tennessee, regardless of whether such services are in exchange for direct compensation.

See rule for parts of the exam that require a facilitator.

SOURCE: Section 1045-02-.18, (Accessed Apr. 2025).