(a) There is hereby created the board of dietitian/nutritionist examiners to consist of five (5) members appointed by the governor, each of whom shall be a resident of this state and shall have had at least five (5) years' experience in the actual practice or teaching of dietetics and/or nutrition. Appointments may be made from lists of qualified persons submitted to the governor by interested dietitian/nutritionist, hospital and medical groups, including, but not limited to, the Tennessee Dietetic Association, the Tennessee Hospital Association, and the Tennessee Medical Association, and shall represent such areas of practice as administrative dietetics, clinical dietetics, dietetic education, community nutrition and consultation and private practice. The governor shall consult with such interested groups to determine qualified persons to fill the positions.

(b) Of the initial appointments to the board, two (2) members shall be appointed for a term of three (3) years, two (2) members for a term of two (2) years, and one (1) member for a term of one (1) year. All regular appointments thereafter shall be for terms of three (3) years each. No member shall be eligible for appointment for more than two (2) consecutive terms, and each member shall serve on the board until a successor is appointed. Vacancies shall be filled by appointment of the governor for the unexpired term. 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.

(c) The board shall organize annually and select a chair and a secretary. A quorum of the board shall consist of three (3) members, and meetings of the board shall be held as frequently as its duties may require. The division shall perform administrative functions for the board.

(d) Each member of the board shall receive compensation for services in an amount determined by the department, not to exceed fifty dollars ($50.00) per diem when actually engaged in the discharge of their official duties, and, in addition, shall be reimbursed for all travel expenses in accordance with the comprehensive state travel regulations promulgated by the department of finance and administration and approved by the attorney general and reporter.