How to Become an LPN in Tennessee 2026
Tennessee LPNs must complete a board-approved practical nursing program, pass the NCLEX-PN, and submit an application through the Tennessee Board of Nursing’s online LARS portal. Programs typically take 12 months and are offered at Tennessee Colleges of Applied Technology campuses statewide. Tennessee is a member of the Enhanced Nurse Licensure Compact (eNLC).
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The Tennessee Board of Nursing licenses both RNs and LPNs and sets the requirements for education, examination, and practice. For practical nurses, that means completing an approved program, passing the NCLEX-PN, and applying through the state’s online portal. Tennessee’s LPN workforce numbered over 20,000, working across nursing homes, clinics, home health agencies, and hospitals statewide.
Jump to a section:
- LPN Scope of Practice in Tennessee
- Education Requirements
- Steps to Get Your Tennessee LPN License
- Renewing Your Tennessee LPN License
- Tennessee and the Nurse Licensure Compact
- Where LPNs Work in Tennessee
- Tennessee LPN Salary and Job Outlook
LPN Scope of Practice in Tennessee
LPNs in Tennessee practice under the supervision of a registered nurse, APRN, licensed physician, or dentist. The scope is a directed scope of practice, meaning LPNs perform selected nursing activities within their education rather than exercising independent clinical judgment. Under Rule 1000-02-.02, LPNs contribute to patient assessment by collecting, reporting, and recording objective and subjective data. They do not conduct independent physical assessments. The Tennessee Board of Nursing has issued a position statement specifically addressing this distinction.
LPNs may participate in care planning for patients with stable or predictable conditions and contribute to evaluating patient-centered care plans in collaboration with an RN. They implement nursing interventions and prescribed medical regimens, carry out patient and family health teaching, and document care provided.
Regarding IV therapy, LPNs may administer IV push medications through peripheral lines, but only to adults weighing over 80 pounds, and only after completing a course of study based on the Infusion Nurse Society Standards (or an equivalent formal institutional program completed before January 1, 2007). IV push is not permitted for pediatric or prenatal obstetrical patients. Certain medication categories are always excluded from LPN IV practice regardless of training, including chemotherapy, blood products, oxytocics, and moderate sedation, among others listed in Rule 1000-02-.02.
LPNs may also assign and delegate nursing activities to unlicensed assistive personnel, including certified nursing assistants (CNAs), subject to the delegation criteria in Rule 1000-02-.02. Charge nurse roles that include supervisory responsibilities over CNAs are common in skilled nursing and assisted living settings.
Education Requirements
Tennessee requires LPN candidates to graduate from a board-approved practical nursing program. The Tennessee Board of Nursing maintains a current list of approved LPN programs in Tennessee on its website.
Programs include both classroom instruction and supervised clinical experience. Clinical rotations cover medical-surgical nursing as the core, with required experiences in maternal-child, pediatric, and mental health settings. Specific clock hour requirements for each rotation are set by Board rule. Verify current curriculum minimums with the Tennessee Board of Nursing before enrolling in a program outside the state.
Most Tennessee programs are housed at Tennessee Colleges of Applied Technology (TCAT). TCAT operates more than a dozen campuses across the state, from Memphis and Jackson to Nashville and Knoxville. Their practical nursing diploma programs are typically full-time, 12-month programs. Chattanooga State Community College also offers a three-semester practical nursing program with limited enrollment.
Students who completed their education in another state can apply to take the NCLEX-PN in Tennessee as out-of-state examination candidates. The Tennessee Board handles those applications separately from in-state program graduates.
Steps to Get Your Tennessee LPN License
Here is how the process works after you graduate from your program.
Step 1: Get your application packet. In-state graduates receive the application packet from their nursing program. Out-of-state examination candidates can request one directly through the Tennessee Board of Nursing.
Step 2: Apply through LARS. Tennessee processes nursing license applications through the LARS (Licensure, Accreditation, Registration, and Certification) online portal. You’ll upload your application and submit your official transcript directly from your school to the Board at 665 Mainstream Drive, Nashville, TN 37243. Transcripts must come from the educational institution, not the applicant.
Step 3: Complete the background check. Tennessee requires a fingerprint-based criminal background check through IdentoGO. LPN applicants use OCA Code 1704 when registering. After registering, you have two weeks to complete the fingerprint scan. Missing that window means registering and paying again.
Step 4: Register for the NCLEX-PN. Once the Board approves your eligibility, Pearson VUE issues an Authorization to Test (ATT). The NCLEX-PN exam fee is $200. You can schedule at any Pearson VUE testing center nationwide. The ATT has an expiration date, so schedule promptly after receiving it.
Step 5: Receive your license. After passing the NCLEX-PN, results go directly to the Board. Once processed, your license appears in the Board’s online verification system. Application fees are set by the Board and subject to change. Verify current fees on the Tennessee Board of Nursing’s applications page before submitting.
Renewing Your Tennessee LPN License
Tennessee LPN licenses renew every two years. The Board sends renewal notices 45 days before expiration, but the responsibility for renewing before the license lapses sits with the licensee.
Tennessee doesn’t use a mandatory continuing education hours model for LPN renewal. Instead, the Board requires licensees to demonstrate continued competence by documenting any two activities from a Board-approved list each renewal cycle. One qualifying option is completing five contact hours of continuing education, or ten hours if you are not currently practicing. Other options include a satisfactory employer evaluation, a peer evaluation, evidence of current national certification, a written self-evaluation based on the Board’s competency standards, or other Board-approved activities. The Board’s full continued competence requirements are posted on its website.
Renewal fees are set by the Board and subject to change. Check the Tennessee Board of Nursing’s website for the current renewal fee before submitting your application.
Tennessee and the Nurse Licensure Compact
Tennessee is a member of the Enhanced Nurse Licensure Compact (eNLC). An LPN licensed in Tennessee can practice in other eNLC member states without applying for a separate license or paying an additional fee, provided Tennessee is the nurse’s state of primary residence.
The inverse applies as well. Nurses licensed in another compact state can practice in Tennessee on their home-state license. If you move from Tennessee to another compact state, you’ll need to apply for licensure in your new home state. The National Council of State Boards of Nursing (NCSBN) maintains the current member state list at ncsbn.org.
Where LPNs Work in Tennessee
Nursing facilities are the largest single employer of LPNs both in Tennessee and nationally. Skilled nursing and rehabilitation facilities employ LPNs in staff nursing and charge nurse roles. These facilities also serve residents with dementia, and Tennessee has been active in adopting person-centered care approaches such as those promoted by the Eden Alternative and Pioneer Network.
Home health and private duty nursing employ LPNs who work with clients ranging from medically complex children to older adults managing chronic conditions. These roles often require moving between patients across a geographic area or providing extended care in a single home.
Assisted living communities and memory care facilities hire LPNs in significant numbers and may offer pathways to supervisory roles, including Director of Nursing positions at some facilities.
Clinic and outpatient settings round out the employment picture. LPNs in these settings room patients, collect vitals and health histories, assist with procedures, and handle care coordination tasks. Specialized practices, including wound care centers, pediatric clinics, orthopedics, and occupational health facilities, each bring additional technical demands.
Tennessee LPN Salary and Job Outlook
According to BLS data from May 2025, Tennessee LPNs earned a median annual wage of $58,870. The national median for LPNs was $64,400 during the same period, placing Tennessee wages somewhat below the national average, a gap common in states with a lower overall cost of living.
| Location | Median Annual Wage | Mean Annual Wage |
|---|---|---|
| Tennessee | $58,870 | $56,470 |
| United States | $64,400 | $67,050 |
Employment stands at around 20,830 LPNs statewide. Projections Central estimates 19.6% employment growth for Tennessee LPNs between 2022 and 2032, translating to roughly 1,890 average annual job openings. That growth rate is well above the all-occupations average, driven largely by an aging population and continued demand for long-term care services.
Find nursing licensure requirements by state for RNs, LPNs, LVNs, and advanced practice nurses.
Frequently Asked Questions
How long does it take to become an LPN in Tennessee?
Most Tennessee LPN programs take 12 months to complete on a full-time schedule. TCAT programs, which are the most common in the state, follow that timeline. Programs at community colleges may take three semesters, roughly 12 to 15 months, and part-time options can extend training to 18 months or more.
Does Tennessee participate in the Nurse Licensure Compact?
Yes. Tennessee is a member of the Enhanced Nurse Licensure Compact (eNLC). An LPN licensed in Tennessee can practice in other eNLC member states without applying for an additional license, as long as Tennessee is the nurse’s state of primary residence.
What exam do LPNs take in Tennessee?
LPNs take the NCLEX-PN, administered by Pearson VUE. The exam fee is $200. Candidates receive an Authorization to Test (ATT) from Pearson VUE after the Tennessee Board of Nursing approves their eligibility.
What are the continuing education requirements for Tennessee LPNs?
Tennessee uses a continued competence model rather than a fixed CE hours requirement. LPNs must document two activities from a Board-approved list during each two-year renewal period. One qualifying option is five contact hours of continuing education, or ten hours if you are not currently practicing. Other options include employer evaluations, peer reviews, evidence of national certification, and self-evaluations based on Board competency standards. The full list is posted on the Tennessee Board of Nursing’s website.
Can I advance from LPN to RN in Tennessee?
Yes. LPN-to-RN bridge programs are available in Tennessee and allow working LPNs to complete an ADN or BSN without starting a program from scratch. TCAT and several community colleges offer bridge programs designed for students with existing LPN credentials.
Key Takeaways
- Board-approved program required — Tennessee LPN applicants must graduate from a program approved by the Tennessee Board of Nursing before sitting for the NCLEX-PN.
- NCLEX-PN is the licensing exam — Administered by Pearson VUE, the exam costs $200 and requires a Board-issued ATT before scheduling.
- Background check through IdentoGO — Use OCA Code 1704 and complete fingerprinting within two weeks of registration, or you’ll need to re-register.
- eNLC compact membership — Tennessee is an eNLC state, so a Tennessee LPN license is valid in 40-plus other compact states.
- Continued competence model for renewal — Renewal is biennial and requires documentation of two activities from a Board-approved list, not a fixed CE hour count.
Find approved LPN programs in Tennessee and compare options by location, format, and program length.
2025 US Bureau of Labor Statistics salary data and Projections Central 2022-2032 job growth forecasts for Licensed Practical & Vocational Nurses, Registered Nurses, and Advanced Practice Nurses across roles, reflect state and national data, not school-specific information. Conditions in your area may vary. Data accessed June 2026.