RN License Requirements in Tennessee (2026)
Tennessee has a strong and growing RN market anchored by Vanderbilt University Medical Center, HCA Healthcare (headquartered in Nashville), Ascension Saint Thomas, and regional systems serving Memphis, Knoxville, Chattanooga, and communities across the state. Tennessee is a full Nurse Licensure Compact state, so Ohio residents receive multistate licenses by default, a significant advantage for flexibility.
Who regulates RN licensing in Tennessee?
RN licensing in Tennessee is managed by the Tennessee Board of Nursing, which operates under the Tennessee Department of Health. The Board issues licenses, enforces standards, and processes applications through the LARS (Licensure and Regulatory System) online portal. The NCLEX-RN is developed by NCSBN and administered at Pearson VUE testing centers.
| Body | Role in RN Licensing |
|---|---|
| Tennessee Board of Nursing | Approves nursing education programs, issues RN licenses, enforces nursing practice standards, investigates complaints, and processes applications through the Tennessee LARS licensing portal. |
| NCSBN | Develops and owns the NCLEX-RN examination and establishes the national passing standard required for RN licensure. |
| Pearson VUE | Administers the NCLEX-RN at testing centers throughout Tennessee and nationwide, including exam scheduling, testing, and score reporting. |
| IdentoGO / TBI | Conducts fingerprint-based criminal background checks through the Tennessee Bureau of Investigation (TBI) and FBI databases for all nursing license applicants. |
| CE Broker | Official continuing education tracking platform used by the Tennessee Board of Nursing. All licensees receive a free basic account to monitor CE compliance and renewal requirements. |
Basic requirements to become an RN in Tennessee
| Requirement | What It Means | Status |
|---|---|---|
| Age | Must be at least 18 years old. | Required |
| Education | High school diploma or GED. | Required |
| Nursing Program | Complete a Tennessee Board of Nursing-approved Associate Degree in Nursing (ADN) or Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN) program. | Required |
| NCLEX-RN | Pass the National Council Licensure Examination for Registered Nurses (NCLEX-RN) administered through Pearson VUE. | Required |
| Background Check | Complete a fingerprint-based Tennessee Bureau of Investigation (TBI) and FBI criminal background check through IdentoGO using OCA Code 1703 (RNs). Tennessee requires fingerprinting within 2 weeks of registration. | Required |
| Citizenship Declaration | Submit a notarized Declaration of Citizenship form as part of the application process. | Required |
| LARS Application | Apply through the Tennessee LARS licensing portal and arrange for official transcripts to be sent directly from your nursing school. | Required |
| Passport Photo | Submit a signed and dated passport-style photograph taken within 6 months of your application date. | Required |
| Disqualifying History | Certain criminal convictions may affect eligibility for licensure. The Tennessee Board of Nursing reviews each case individually and may request additional documentation. | Case-by-Case |
Tennessee fingerprinting tip: Use OCA Code 1703 when registering with IdentoGO as an RN applicant (Code 1704 is for LPNs). Using the wrong code prevents the Board from receiving your results. You must complete your fingerprint scan within 2 weeks of registration, missing this window forfeits your fee and requires re-registration.
Step-by-step: how to get your Tennessee RN license
Choose and Complete Your Program: ADN or BSN
Both degree pathways qualify you to sit for the NCLEX-RN. ADN programs typically take about 2 years through community colleges, while BSN programs generally require about 4 years at a university. Accelerated BSN programs for students with a prior bachelor’s degree and LPN-to-RN bridge programs are widely available throughout Tennessee.
Complete Your IdentoGO Background Check
Register through IdentoGO using OCA Code 1703 for Tennessee RN applicants. Complete your fingerprint appointment within 2 weeks of registration or your fee will be forfeited and you’ll need to re-register. Applicants who live outside Tennessee may submit fingerprint cards by mail if they cannot access a Live Scan location.
Apply for Licensure by Examination Through LARS
Submit your application through Tennessee’s Licensure and Regulatory System (LARS). You’ll need official transcripts sent directly from your nursing school, a notarized Declaration of Citizenship form, and a signed passport-style photograph taken within the last 6 months. Beginning April 8, 2026, the RN examination application fee increases to $150.
Pass the NCLEX-RN
After the Tennessee Board of Nursing approves your application, Pearson VUE will issue your Authorization to Test (ATT). Pay the $200 NCLEX-RN fee and schedule your exam. Tennessee does not issue temporary permits to examination applicants, so you must wait until licensure is granted before practicing.
Receive Your Tennessee RN License
After passing the NCLEX-RN, the Tennessee Board of Nursing issues your license. If Tennessee is your primary state of residence, you’ll receive a multistate Nurse Licensure Compact (NLC) license valid across all participating states. Processing generally takes 4–6 weeks after a complete application is received.
ADN vs BSN: which path is right for you?
How long does it take?
| Program Type | Program Length | Total Time to Licensed RN |
|---|---|---|
| ADN (Full-Time) | ~2 Years | ~26–30 Months |
| BSN (Full-Time) | ~4 Years | ~50–54 Months |
| Accelerated BSN (Prior Degree) | 12–18 Months | ~14–20 Months |
| LPN-to-RN Bridge | Varies | Often shorter than ADN from scratch |
| RN-to-BSN (Working RNs) | 1–2 Years Part-Time | Concurrent with employment |
How much does it cost?
| Cost Item | Low | High | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| ADN Program Tuition | $6,000 | $20,000 | Community college nursing programs. |
| BSN Program Tuition | $30,000 | $120,000+ | Four-year university nursing programs. |
| NCLEX-RN Exam Fee | $200 | $200 | Fixed national fee paid directly to NCSBN. |
| TN License Application | $150 | $150 | Submitted through the Tennessee LARS portal. |
| IdentoGO Fingerprint Check | $37 | $50 | Fingerprint-based background check using OCA Code 1703 for RN applicants. |
| Books, Uniforms & Supplies | $500 | $1,500 | Varies by nursing school and program requirements. |
ADN programs are FAFSA-eligible. Many Tennessee health systems, especially HCA-affiliated hospitals, offer tuition reimbursement or sponsorship programs for nurses who commit to a post-graduation work agreement.
RN salary and job outlook in Tennessee, 2026
Tennessee RN salaries run around $38–$45/hr statewide, with Nashville-area nurses at major systems like Vanderbilt, HCA, and Ascension Saint Thomas earning at the higher end. Tennessee’s cost of living is about 7% below the national average, which stretches the effective value of a Tennessee nursing salary further than the nominal figures suggest.
Salary Disclaimer: Salary estimates are based on publicly available wage data, employer job postings, and labor market information. Actual earnings vary by employer, geographic location, specialty, shift differentials, overtime opportunities, certifications, and experience level.
Where can you work as an RN in Tennessee?
| Setting | Common Roles and Tasks | Demand |
|---|---|---|
| Hospitals | All specialties, including major Tennessee employers such as Vanderbilt, HCA facilities, Ascension Saint Thomas, Ballad Health, and Regional One Health. | Very High |
| Skilled Nursing / LTC | Resident oversight, care planning, medication management, staff supervision, rehabilitation support, and complex wound management. | Very High |
| Outpatient Clinics / Surgery Centers | Patient assessments, chronic disease management, pre-operative evaluations, post-operative recovery, and patient education. | High |
| Home Health / Hospice | Skilled nursing visits, family education, care coordination, palliative care, and end-of-life support. | Very High |
| Dialysis Centers | Renal care, vascular access management, dialysis treatment monitoring, patient education, and ongoing chronic kidney disease support. | High |
| Schools, Corrections & Public Health | Student health services, immunization programs, sick call clinics, health screenings, public health outreach, and correctional healthcare services. | Moderate |
How to renew your Tennessee RN license
Tennessee RN licenses expire on the last day of your birth month every two years, whether your birth year is odd or even determines the cycle your license follows. You can renew up to 60 days before your expiration date. There is no grace period in the traditional sense, the Board does allow late submissions up to one month after expiration, but practicing on an expired license is a violation and may lead to disciplinary action.
| Renewal Requirement | Detail |
|---|---|
| Renewal Cycle | Every 2 years. Tennessee RN licenses expire on the last day of your birth month. |
| Renewal Window Opens | Renewal becomes available up to 60 days before your license expiration date. |
| Renewal Fee | $140 renewal fee (increased from $100 effective April 8, 2026). |
| Late Renewal | Applications may be submitted up to one month after expiration, but you cannot legally practice nursing while your license is expired. |
| Reinstatement Fee | $200 if your license lapses and reinstatement is required. |
| CE / Competency Requirement | Complete 5 contact hours of continuing education plus evidence of 1 additional continued competence activity from the Tennessee Board’s approved list. |
| CE Documentation | Continuing education records are not submitted during renewal but must be retained for at least 4 years. The Board conducts audits through CE Broker. |
| CE Tracking | CE Broker is Tennessee’s official continuing education tracking system. All licensees receive a free basic account. |
Continued competence: 2-item requirement
Tennessee’s renewal requirement is uniquely structured compared to most states, it’s not purely a CE hour count. You must demonstrate continued competence through two items from the Board’s approved list each renewal cycle.
CE Broker is the Tennessee Board of Nursing’s official tracking system and is free for all licensees. If you’re selected for an audit, you automatically pass if your CE Broker account shows compliance. It’s worth using throughout your cycle, not just at renewal.
Tennessee and the Nurse Licensure Compact (NLC)
Tennessee is a full NLC member state. Tennessee residents are issued multistate RN licenses by default. Nurses with valid multistate licenses from other compact states can practice in Tennessee without a separate state license, making Tennessee a popular destination for travel nurses.
| Scenario | What You Need to Do |
|---|---|
| Tennessee Resident Applying for First License | A multistate license is issued by default when you declare Tennessee as your primary state of residence and meet compact eligibility requirements. |
| Moving to Tennessee from Another Compact State | Your existing multistate license is valid in Tennessee. Update your primary state of residence to Tennessee within the appropriate timeframe after relocating. |
| Moving to Tennessee from a Non-Compact State | Apply for Tennessee licensure by endorsement through the LARS portal. Once approved, eligible applicants receive a multistate license. Processing usually takes about 4–6 weeks. |
| Travel Nurse Assignments in Tennessee | A valid multistate license from any compact state allows practice in Tennessee without obtaining a Tennessee-specific license. |
| Tennessee RN Working in Another Compact State | Your Tennessee multistate license authorizes practice in other compact states. No additional state-specific applications are needed. |
Ready to start working as an RN in Tennessee?
Once you’re licensed and credentialed, MyShyft lets you pick up shifts on your schedule, no waiting for a full-time opening at a single facility.
- Pick up shifts that fit your schedule
- Work at facilities near you
- Get paid quickly
Frequently Asked Questions
Licensing Information Disclaimer: Licensing requirements, fees, examination details, renewal standards, and Nurse Licensure Compact participation may change over time. While we strive to keep this information current and accurate, MyShyft does not guarantee the completeness or accuracy of the information provided. Always verify licensing requirements directly with the Tennessee Board of Nursing before making educational, licensing, employment, or relocation decisions. Reliance on information contained on this page is at the reader’s own risk.