T.c.a.: 63-5-108-f-
For physicians and healthcare employers, compliance is a matter of rigorous documentation and institutional discipline.
The Tennessee Board of Medical Examiners publishes disciplinary actions quarterly. Reviewing these actions reveals three common ways physicians and employers run afoul of .
The statute grants the Board the authority to set educational and examination requirements. No person can legally practice medicine or osteopathy in Tennessee without a license issued under this authority. The Board uses t.c.a. 63-5-108-f-
It mandates that for a dental assistant to perform the functions allowed under this section, they must be "certified" in those specific areas (such as nitrous oxide monitoring or coronal polishing). This ensures that delegation is based on proven competency rather than just employer preference. Legal and Ethical Implications
: The hygienist must have at least one year of full-time experience (or equivalent). For physicians and healthcare employers, compliance is a
Under T.C.A. § 63-5-108(f), if a licensed healthcare professional (doctor, nurse, dentist, pharmacist, etc.) falls behind on court-ordered child support, the Tennessee Department of Health must take adverse action against their professional license. The Board responsible for that profession (e.g., Board of Medical Examiners) is required to:
The most litigated phrase within is the definition of "direct supervision." According to TBME rules, direct supervision means the supervising physician must be physically present in the same facility, available for immediate consultation, and ultimately responsible for all patient care decisions made by the provisional licensee. The statute grants the Board the authority to
If you hold a provisional license in Tennessee, treat the restrictions of as inviolable. If you are an employer, assign a compliance officer to monitor supervision ratios and expiration dates. When in doubt, contact the Tennessee Board of Medical Examiners for a declaratory opinion. In the world of medical licensure, operating in the gray area of subsection (f) is the fastest route to a permanent black mark.
: A dentist may supervise up to ten (10) dental hygienists under direct supervision if providing volunteer services through a nonprofit.
The practice of medicine is one of the most regulated professions in the United States, and for good reason. The safety of the public relies on a rigorous system of licensure, oversight, and discipline. In the state of Tennessee, the central pillar of this regulatory framework is found within the Tennessee Code Annotated (T.C.A.). Specifically, serves as the foundational statute detailing the organization, powers, and duties of the Tennessee Board of Medical Examiners.