Tennessee Nurse Practitioner (APRN) Requirements 2026
Tennessee certifies advanced practice nurses under the title Advanced Practice Registered Nurse (APRN), though the credential is also commonly referred to as an APN certificate. To earn APRN certification, a nurse must hold an active RN license, complete a graduate-level nursing program, and pass a national certification exam in their specialty. The Tennessee Board of Nursing issues the certificate and, for those who prescribe, a separate certificate of fitness.
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The Tennessee Board of Nursing issues APRN certificates to registered nurses who complete qualifying graduate-level programs and earn national certification in their specialty area. Tennessee uses the credential title Advanced Practice Registered Nurse (APRN), sometimes also referred to as APN, and recognizes the same four roles established in the NCSBN National APRN Consensus Model: Nurse Practitioner, Clinical Nurse Specialist, Certified Registered Nurse Anesthetist, and Certified Nurse-Midwife.
Tennessee is a member of the Enhanced Nurse Licensure Compact (eNLC), which means RNs who hold a multistate license in another compact state don’t need a separate Tennessee RN license. However, they do need to apply directly to the Tennessee Board for APRN certification and, if applicable, a certificate of fitness to prescribe and dispense legend drugs.
Use the links below to jump to education requirements, the application process, renewal information, and contact resources.
- APRN education and certification requirements
- How to apply for APRN certification in Tennessee
- APRN renewal requirements
- Board contact, associations, and additional resources
APRN Education and Certification Requirements in Tennessee
Applicants for APRN certification must complete a post-basic advanced practice nursing program at the master’s level or higher. A Master of Science in Nursing (MSN) is the most common pathway, though a Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP) also qualifies. The degree must be in a nursing specialty aligned with the intended APRN role.
There are two limited grandfathering provisions. First, a nurse who held national certification in the specialty by July 1, 2005, and had also earned Tennessee RN practice privileges by that date, is not subject to the master’s degree requirement. Second, under Tenn. Code § 63-7-126, certain nurse anesthetists who graduated before January 1, 1999, may also qualify under a separate grandfathering provision. Nurses who believe they may qualify under either exception should contact the Tennessee Board of Nursing directly to confirm eligibility.
Clinical hour requirements vary by population focus and are set by the national certifying agency rather than the Board. A typical requirement is 500 clinical hours in the practice area, though applicants should confirm the specific requirement with their certifying organization.
Applicants who want prescriptive authority must complete a pharmacology course as part of their graduate program. If a certificate of fitness is sought, the program director or dean must verify that the program includes at least 3 quarter hours of pharmacology.
Accepted Certification Agencies
The Tennessee Board of Nursing accepts certification from a range of nationally recognized agencies. Commonly accepted organizations include:
- American Nurses Credentialing Center (ANCC): certifies nurse practitioners and clinical nurse specialists in multiple specialty areas
- American Association of Nurse Practitioners (AANP): certifies nurse practitioners in family, adult-gerontology, and emergency practice areas
- National Board of Certification and Recertification for Nurse Anesthetists (NBCRNA): certifies certified registered nurse anesthetists
- American Midwifery Certification Board (AMCB): the nationally recognized certifying body for certified nurse-midwives
The Board ultimately determines which examinations it will accept. Applicants should confirm that their certifying agency is approved before sitting for the exam. Tennessee Board rules for APRN certification are described in Rule Chapter 1000-04.
How to Apply for APRN Certification in Tennessee
APRN certification applications are submitted to the Tennessee Board of Nursing. Application materials, forms, and current submission instructions are available on the Tennessee Department of Health website. Follow the Board’s current submission instructions, as procedures and addresses may change.
Required Application Materials
A complete APRN application includes the following:
- Completed application form: signed and notarized (the affidavit on page 3 must be signed before a Notary Public)
- Application fee: Verify the current fee with the Board before submitting, as fees are subject to change
- Passport-style photograph: a recent 2″ x 2″ color photo with the applicant’s legal signature on the front (the signature must not conceal the face)
- Official transcripts: sent directly from the graduate program to the Board of Nursing after degree conferral
- National certification verification: sent directly from the certifying agency to the Board
- Educational verification form: completed by the program director or dean, identifying the degree earned and the APRN role
- Mandatory Practitioner Profile Questionnaire: information made public by the Board after licensure, including credentials, managed health plan affiliations, and optional community service activity
- Citizenship attestation: notarized. U.S. citizenship is not required. The Board can accept certain other legal statuses
RNs licensed in another eNLC compact state submit a copy of their multistate license in place of a Tennessee RN license.
Applicants who answer “yes” to questions about recent disciplinary or criminal history on the profile questionnaire must submit supplemental documentation.
Application Processing Time
Processing times vary. Applicants should check with the Tennessee Board of Nursing for current estimates. Once a certificate has been issued, APRNs can verify their status online through the Board’s license verification portal.
APRN Certificate Renewal in Tennessee
APRN certificates renew on a biennial cycle. Active national certification in the specialty area is required for renewal.
APRNs who hold a certificate of fitness to prescribe must complete two contact hours of continuing education specifically addressing controlled substance prescribing practices, including Tennessee Department of Health treatment guidelines on opioids, benzodiazepines, barbiturates, and carisoprodol, each renewal period. This requirement is established under Rule 1000-04-.05.
Beginning June 27, 2023, APRNs who hold or renew a DEA registration are required to complete a one-time 8-hour training on treating and managing patients with opioid or other substance use disorders. This includes the appropriate clinical use of all FDA-approved medications for substance use disorder treatment. This is a federal DEA requirement, not a Tennessee Board requirement, but it applies to APRN prescribers registering or renewing with the DEA.
Under Tennessee Code Annotated 63-7-131, the Board conducts an annual survey of Tennessee-licensed nurse practitioners who hold a certificate of fitness, covering the nurse-collaborating physician relationship. The survey is distributed by email each January and must be completed by December 1 of each year. Licensees who have not completed the survey receive quarterly reminders. APRNs should confirm current renewal requirements with the Board, as regulations change periodically.
Find nursing licensure requirements by state for RNs, LPNs, LVNs, and advanced practice nurses.
Board Contact, Associations, and Additional Resources
The Tennessee Board of Nursing can be reached by phone at 1-800-778-4123, ext. 25166. Individuals in the Nashville area may call 615-532-5166 directly. The Board’s website at tn.gov/health/health-program-areas/health-professional-boards/nursing-board contains applications, fee schedules, and current rule references.
Advanced practice professional organizations serving Tennessee APRNs include:
- Tennessee Nurses Association, which includes the Advanced Practice Registered Nurse Committee
- Tennessee Nurse Practitioner Association
- Tennessee Association of Nurse Anesthetists
Frequently Asked Questions
Does Tennessee require a master’s degree to become an APRN?
Yes, with narrow exceptions. Applicants must complete a graduate-level nursing program at the master’s level or higher. One exception applies to nurses who held national certification in their specialty and Tennessee RN practice privileges before July 1, 2005. A separate provision under Tenn. Code § 63-7-126 covers certain nurse anesthetists who graduated before January 1, 1999. New applicants outside these exceptions are expected to hold at a minimum an MSN or equivalent graduate degree.
What is a certificate of fitness and who needs one?
A certificate of fitness is Tennessee’s authorization for APRNs to prescribe and dispense legend drugs. It’s a separate credential from the APRN certificate itself. Nurse practitioners who intend to prescribe must apply for it as part of their APRN application. The certificate requires verification that the applicant’s graduate program included at least three quarter hours of pharmacology instruction.
Can an RN licensed in another state practice as an APRN in Tennessee?
Tennessee is a member of the Enhanced Nurse Licensure Compact (eNLC), so RNs with a multistate license in another compact state can practice as RNs in Tennessee without a separate Tennessee RN license. However, APRN certification is state-specific. Any nurse seeking to practice as an APRN in Tennessee must apply directly to the Tennessee Board of Nursing for APRN certification, regardless of where their RN license is held.
How long does the Tennessee APRN application take to process?
Processing times vary. Check with the Tennessee Board of Nursing for current estimates before submitting. Once a certificate is issued, APRNs can verify their status online through the Board’s license verification portal. Incomplete applications, or those requiring supplemental documentation regarding disciplinary history, will take longer to process.
What continuing education do Tennessee APRNs need for renewal?
APRNs must maintain active national certification in their specialty area for renewal. Those who hold a certificate of fitness must also complete two contact hours of CE on controlled substance prescribing each renewal period, including Tennessee Department of Health treatment guidelines on opioids, benzodiazepines, barbiturates, and carisoprodol (Rule 1000-04-.05). APRNs with a DEA registration are additionally subject to a one-time federal requirement of 8 hours of training on opioid and substance use disorder treatment, effective for registrations and renewals on or after June 27, 2023.
Key Takeaways
- Graduate degree required — APRN applicants must hold at a minimum a master’s degree in a nursing specialty, plus national certification from a Board-approved agency.
- The certificate of fitness is separate — APRNs who want prescriptive authority must apply for a certificate of fitness in addition to the APRN certificate.
- eNLC membership applies to RN licensure only — Tennessee’s compact membership covers RN practice. APRN certification must be obtained directly from the Tennessee Board.
- Biennial renewal requires active certification — National certification must remain current, and prescribers have additional CE obligations for controlled substances.
- Processing times vary — Contact the Tennessee Board of Nursing for current estimates before submitting your application.
Looking for a graduate nursing program that meets Tennessee’s APRN requirements? Use the tool below to find MSN and DNP programs approved for your specialty area.