(a) There shall be a board of chiropractic examiners, referred to as “board” in this chapter, consisting of five (5) chiropractic physicians, residents in Tennessee who have been actively engaged in the practice of their profession in Tennessee for a period of at least five (5) years, and two (2) consumer members who are not affiliated with the practice of chiropractic. The members of the board shall be appointed by the governor and shall hold office for a term of five (5) years commencing on May 1 and expiring on April 30, five (5) years thereafter.

(b) All vacancies occurring on the board by reason of death or resignation shall be filled by the governor for the unexpired term.

(c) In making appointments to the board, the governor shall strive to ensure that at least one (1) person serving on the board is sixty (60) years of age or older and that at least one (1) person serving on the board is a member of a racial minority.

(d) In order to stagger the terms of office, for the year 2000 the governor shall appoint the board members for transition terms in the following manner:

(1) One (1) chiropractic physician and one (1) consumer member for one (1) year with the term to expire on April 30, 2001;

(2) One (1) chiropractic physician for a two-year term to expire on April 30, 2002;

(3) One (1) chiropractic physician for a three-year term to expire on April 30, 2003;

(4) One (1) chiropractic physician and one (1) consumer member for a four-year term to expire April 30, 2004; and

(5) One (1) chiropractic physician for a five-year term to expire April 30, 2005.

(e) Any person appointed shall be eligible for successive appointments, in the discretion of the governor, and all members shall hold office until the appointment of their successors.

(f) No chiropractor shall be eligible for appointment unless such chiropractor is actively engaged in the practice of the profession of chiropractic within this state.

(g) Further, no persons shall be eligible for appointment on the board who at the time are actively engaged in the practice, or holding themselves out as practitioners, of any other branch of the healing arts.

(h) The governor has the discretion to seek recommendations and nominations from the Tennessee Chiropractic Association in making appointments to the board.

(i) The board is authorized to annually elect from among its members a president, vice president and secretary and to create such officers it deems necessary for its efficient operations. Four (4) members of the board shall constitute a quorum, and a majority of those present shall be necessary to pass or reject any official business.

(j) The board shall be provided administrative support by the division of health related boards, referred to as the “division” in this chapter.