Tennessee Nursing Licensing Guide
Everything CNAs, LPNs, RNs & CMAs Need to Get Licensed in Tennessee
Tennessee is a member of the Nurse Licensure Compact (NLC), giving eligible Registered Nurses (RNs) and Licensed Practical Nurses (LPNs) the ability to practice in Tennessee using a multistate license issued by another compact state. This is one of Tennessee’s biggest advantages for travel nurses and healthcare staffing agencies because it eliminates the need for a separate Tennessee nursing license in many situations.
Another feature that makes Tennessee unique is its renewal process. Unlike most states, Tennessee does not require continuing education (CE) hours for RN or LPN license renewal. That makes renewing a Tennessee nursing license considerably simpler than in neighboring states.
Who’s in Charge of Your License in Tennessee?
| Your Role | Regulated By | Portal |
|---|---|---|
| RN, LPN | Tennessee Board of Nursing (TBON) under Tennessee Department of Health | tn.gov/health/nursing-board |
| CNA | Tennessee Department of Health (TDH) via Nurse Aide Registry | tn.gov/health |
Tennessee Board of Nursing (TBON), RNs and LPNs
The Tennessee Board of Nursing operates under the Tennessee Department of Health and handles all RN and LPN licensing, initial applications, endorsements, renewals, and verifications. All transactions run through the Tennessee Health Professional Licensing portal.
How long does TBON take?
| Application Type | Typical Timeline |
|---|---|
| Endorsement (out-of-state transfer) | 4–6 weeks |
| Initial licensure post-NCLEX | 2–3 weeks |
| Online renewal | 1–2 weeks |
Submit your Nursys verification request the same day you file with TBON. Missing prior state verification is the most common cause of processing delays, getting it in early keeps your timeline on track.
Tennessee Department of Health (TDH), CNAs
TDH administers the Tennessee Nurse Aide Registry, the mandatory listing for CNAs working in Tennessee’s Medicare and Medicaid-certified facilities.
A Note on CMT in Tennessee
Tennessee does not have a standalone Certified Medication Technician (CMT) credential. Medication administration in Tennessee long-term care settings is handled by licensed nurses under the Tennessee Nurse Practice Act or through facility-specific delegation protocols. If you hold a CMT from Illinois or another state, contact TBON directly to understand how your credential applies in Tennessee.
Tennessee’s Temporary Permit Option
Tennessee offers a temporary permit for nurses who have applied for licensure by endorsement but are still waiting on full processing. This allows eligible nurses to practice in Tennessee while their endorsement application is pending, a meaningful advantage for travel nurses on tight assignment timelines. Full eligibility details are in Section 4.
What Does Your Role Actually Require in Tennessee?
| Role | Licensing Body | Exam | Renewal Cycle | CE Required | Registry |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| CNA | TDH / NAR | NNAAP | 2 years | 12 hrs/year (in-service) | NAR mandatory |
| LPN | TBON / TDH | NCLEX-PN | 2 years | None | None |
| RN | TBON / TDH | NCLEX-RN | 2 years | None | None |
Sources: Ohio Revised Code 4723·Ohio Admin. Code 4723-5·42 CFR Part 483
Tennessee IS a Compact State, What That Means for You
Tennessee is a full member of the Nurse Licensure Compact (NLC).
For travel nurses and staffing agencies, this means Tennessee assignments are straightforward for nurses coming from other compact states. No separate Tennessee license needed, no waiting on endorsement processing.
How the NLC Works in Tennessee
The NLC allows nurses licensed in any of the 41+ compact member states to practice across state lines on a single multistate license. Tennessee’s compact membership means:
- Nurses from compact states can start Tennessee assignments without applying for anything additional
- Staffing agencies can place compact-state nurses in Tennessee as soon as an assignment is confirmed
- Tennessee-licensed nurses with multistate licenses can practice in any other compact state
Who Benefits From Tennessee’s Compact Membership
- Travel nurses from compact states: your multistate license covers Tennessee. No additional application needed before starting a Tennessee assignment.
- Nurses relocating to Tennessee from a compact state: once Tennessee becomes your primary state of residence, you’ll apply for a Tennessee multistate license through TBON. Your prior state’s multistate license is surrendered at that point.
- Staffing agencies: verify the nurse holds a multistate license from a compact home state and you’re covered for Tennessee placements without waiting on endorsement.
Who Still Needs a Separate Tennessee License
You still need a standalone Tennessee license if:
- Your home state is not a compact member: Illinois, Michigan, California, and New York are among the non-compact states
- You hold a single-state license rather than a multistate license, even if your home state is compact
- Tennessee is becoming your primary state of residence: you’ll need to convert to a Tennessee multistate license through TBON
The primary residence rule. Your NLC multistate license is tied to your primary state of residence, not where you work. If Tennessee becomes your primary residence, you must hold a Tennessee multistate license, even if you also work in other compact states.
Can an Illinois or Michigan Nurse Practice in Tennessee Without Endorsement?
No. Both Illinois and Michigan are non-compact states. Nurses licensed in either state hold single-state licenses only and must apply for Tennessee endorsement through TBON before working in Tennessee.
How to Transfer Your License to Tennessee
Tennessee does not have reciprocity. Every out-of-state applicant from a non-compact state goes through endorsement regardless of which state they’re coming from.
RN and LPN Endorsement (TBON)
- Create an account at the Tennessee Health Professional Licensing portal
- Complete the endorsement application and pay the fee, RN: $100 · LPN: $100 (verify current fees at TBON)
- Request license verification from your current state via Nursys, most states transmit this directly to TBON electronically
- Complete the Tennessee jurisprudence exam, see below
- Submit official nursing school transcripts if requested by TBON
- Complete a Tennessee background check if required
- Apply for a temporary permit if you need to work during processing, see below
- Track your application through the licensing portal, expect 4–6 weeks for a complete application
Tennessee’s Jurisprudence Requirement
Tennessee requires all new licensees, including endorsement applicants, to pass a jurisprudence exam before their license is issued. This is a one-time requirement and does not need to be repeated at renewal.
What the exam covers:
- Tennessee Nurse Practice Act (TCA 63-7)
- Tennessee Board of Nursing rules and regulations (Rule 1000-01)
- Scope of practice for RNs and LPNs in Tennessee
- Reporting obligations and documentation requirements
- Disciplinary standards and grounds for license action
The jurisprudence exam is completed online through the TBON licensing portal. It is open-book and not timed, you can reference the Tennessee Nurse Practice Act while completing it.
Tennessee’s Temporary Permit, Practice While You Wait
Tennessee issues temporary permits to nurses who have applied for full licensure by endorsement and are waiting on processing. This is one of Tennessee’s practical advantages for travel nurses on tight timelines.
To be eligible for a temporary permit you must:
- Have submitted a complete endorsement application to TBON
- Hold a current, valid, unencumbered license in another state
- Have no pending disciplinary actions in any state
- Have passed NCLEX (or the equivalent exam for your license type)
Temporary permit specifics:
Apply through the TBON licensing portal at the same time as your endorsement application
- Valid for 90 days from date of issue
- Covers the same scope of practice as a full Tennessee license
- Cannot be renewed, if your full endorsement is still processing at 90 days, contact TBON directly
CNA Endorsement / Reciprocity (TDH)
To transfer a CNA certification from another state to Tennessee’s Nurse Aide Registry:
- Your out-of-state certification must be current and in good standing
- No substantiated findings of abuse, neglect, or misappropriation on your record
- Training must meet the federal 75-hour minimum under 42 CFR 483.35
Steps:
- Submit the Tennessee NAR Reciprocity Application to TDH
- Provide proof of out-of-state certification and training completion
- Complete a Tennessee background check
- TDH verifies your status with your prior state before adding you to the Tennessee NAR
CE Rules in Tennessee, What You’re Required to Complete
Tennessee requires zero continuing education hours for RN and LPN license renewal.
That is not a typo. Tennessee is one of a small number of states, alongside Indiana, with no mandatory CE requirement for RN or LPN renewal. You renew your license, pay the fee, and your license stays active. No hours to track, no certificates to keep, no mandatory topics to complete
CE Requirements by Role
| Role | CE Hours Required | Cycle | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| RN | None | 2 years | No state CE mandate for renewal |
| LPN | None | 2 years | No state CE mandate for renewal |
| CNA | 12 hrs in-service | Annual | Employer-provided, per 42 CFR 483.35 |
Source: Tennessee Rules and Regulations, Rule 1000-01
What Tennessee’s No-CE Policy Means Practically
No CE requirement doesn’t mean professional development stops, it means Tennessee doesn’t make it a condition of keeping your license active. Many Tennessee nurses pursue CE voluntarily through national organizations, specialty certifications, and employer programs. Major healthcare systems and facilities in Tennessee often have their own internal CE requirements regardless of what the state mandates.
Tennessee also has no sexual harassment prevention training mandate like Illinois, no implicit bias requirement like Michigan, and no mandatory HIV/AIDS training like Florida. If you’re moving to Tennessee from any of those states, your CE obligations drop significantly at renewal.
CE Providers Worth Using (Voluntary)
| Provider | Website |
|---|---|
| American Nurses Association (ANA) | nursingworld.org |
| Nurse.com CE Center | nurse.com/ce |
| Relias Learning | relias.com |
| Medscape Nursing | medscape.com/nurses |
| AANP | aanp.org |
| Tennessee Nurses Association (TNA) | tnaonline.org |
The Registry Every Tennessee CNA Needs to Know About
The Tennessee Nurse Aide Registry, maintained by the Tennessee Department of Health, is the official registry for Certified Nursing Assistants working in Medicare- and Medicaid-certified healthcare facilities throughout the state.
Healthcare employers use the registry to verify certification before hiring. Maintaining an active registry listing is a condition of employment for CNAs working in regulated healthcare settings.
Who Needs to Be Listed?
| Role | Registry Required? |
|---|---|
| CNA | Yes, before any employment in certified facilities |
| RN / LPN | No |
What Employers and Agencies Must Do
Under 42 CFR 483.35 and Tennessee state requirements, employers at Medicare and Medicaid-certified facilities must:
- Verify Tennessee Nurse Aide Registry status before hiring a CNA.
- Refuse to hire any worker with a substantiated finding of abuse, neglect, or misappropriation
- Report findings of abuse or neglect to TDH for registry entry
For staffing agencies: registry verification is required before every placement, not just at initial onboarding. Keep verification records on file.
Background Check Requirement
CNA applicants in Tennessee must complete a criminal background check as part of the NAR listing process. Tennessee uses the Tennessee Bureau of Investigation (TBI) for state-level checks and FBI fingerprint-based checks for federal-level screening.
TBI background check information: tbi.tn.gov
Everything You Need to Know About Renewing Your Tennessee License
Tennessee licenses renew on a 2-year cycle with expiration tied to your birth month. Because there’s no CE requirement, renewal in Tennessee is one of the most straightforward in the country, confirm your information, pay the fee, done.
Renewal Schedule
| Role | Cycle | Expiry |
|---|---|---|
| RN | 2 years | Birth month, odd or even year based on license type |
| LPN | 2 years | Birth month, odd or even year based on license type |
| CNA (NAR) | Active employment required | Lapses after 24 months inactive, retest may be required |
Renewal Fees
| Role | Renewal Fee |
|---|---|
| RN | $100 |
| LPN | $100 |
How to Renew Online (RN, LPN)
- Log in to the Tennessee Health Professional Licensing portal
- Select “Renew a License” and choose your license type
- Confirm your contact and practice information
- Pay the renewal fee, no CE attestation required
- Save your renewal confirmation as proof of active status
Renewal in Tennessee is this simple because there’s no CE to verify. That said, TBON does conduct random practice audits, keep your employment and practice records current regardless.
Missed Your Renewal Date?
- Tennessee allows late renewal with a late penalty fee on top of the standard renewal fee
- Practicing on an expired license violates TCA 63-7, this is actively enforced by TBON
- Contact TBON for current late renewal window and penalty amounts
Expired beyond the late renewal window? Formal reinstatement is required. Tennessee reinstatement may include additional documentation, background check, and TBON board review. Contact TBON directly for reinstatement requirements specific to your situation.
Peer Assistance Program for Nurses (PAP)
Tennessee operates the Peer Assistance Program for Nurses (PAP), the state’s monitoring and support program for nurses dealing with substance use disorders, mental health conditions, or other issues that may affect safe practice. PAP provides an alternative to disciplinary action for eligible participants.
If you’re a Tennessee nurse facing these challenges, contact PAP before a licensing issue develops.
Go Deeper, Pick Your Role
This page covers Tennessee-wide licensing rules. Each role guide has the exact steps, exam details, fees, and renewal walkthrough for that specific credential.
| Role | What the guide covers | Regulatory body |
|---|---|---|
| CNA Tennessee → | NNAAP exam, 75-hour training, NAR registration, and endorsement | TDH / NAR |
| LPN Tennessee → | NCLEX-PN, TBON application, temporary permit, and endorsement | TBON / TDH |
| RN Tennessee → | NCLEX-RN, TBON application, temporary permit, and compact rules | TBON / TDH |
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.