Tennessee Nursing License
How to get your Tennessee nursing license
- Complete an approved nursing program (RN or LPN/LVN).
- Pass the NCLEX-RN or NCLEX-PN examination.
- Apply to the Tennessee Board of Nursing for licensure by examination or endorsement.
- Complete the required criminal background check and pay licensure fees.
- If your primary residence is Tennessee, you may apply for a multistate (compact) license.
Tennessee licensing at a glance
| Continuing education | Continuing competence: 2 approved activities / 2 years (10 CE hours is one option) |
|---|---|
| Compact (NLC) member | Yes |
Tennessee uses a continuing-competence model — complete two of the board's approved activities per 2-year renewal (10 CE contact hours is one option, not mandatory). License-fee figures conflict across official sources and are omitted here pending a board fee-schedule confirmation. eNLC member.
Official resources
- Tennessee Board of Nursing — apply, renew, and check requirements.
- Verify a nursing license (Nursys)
- Nurse Licensure Compact (NLC) map — which states honor a multistate license.
- Directory of state boards of nursing (NCSBN)
Tennessee nursing license FAQ
- Does my compact nursing license let me work in Tennessee?
- Yes. Tennessee is a Nurse Licensure Compact (NLC) member state, so a multistate license issued by your compact home state covers practice in Tennessee without a separate application.
- How many continuing-education hours does Tennessee require?
- Tennessee requires Continuing competence: 2 approved activities / 2 years (10 CE hours is one option) for RN license renewal.
- How do I verify a Tennessee nursing license?
- Verify any U.S. nursing license through Nursys, the national verification system operated by the state boards of nursing.