Tennessee Nursing License Requirements 2026
The Tennessee Board of Nursing licenses both RNs and LPNs. Candidates must complete a board-approved nursing program and pass the NCLEX. Practical nurses sit for the NCLEX-PN. Registered nurses sit for the NCLEX-RN. Tennessee is a member of the Enhanced Nurse Licensure Compact (eNLC), which lets licensed nurses practice in other compact states without a separate application.
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The Tennessee Board of Nursing sets education standards, approves nursing programs, and determines who qualifies to sit for the national licensing exam. Nurses are licensed either by examination (first-time candidates) or by endorsement (nurses already licensed in another state). Tennessee is an eNLC compact state, which affects how both groups apply. See the FAQ below for how compact membership works in practice.
Looking for a different credential? Find CNA requirements in Tennessee or advanced practice nurse requirements in Tennessee. Use the links below to jump to the section that applies to you.
- LPN License Requirements in Tennessee
- RN License Requirements in Tennessee
- License Renewal and Continuing Education
- Frequently Asked Questions
LPN License Requirements in Tennessee
Education
Start by enrolling in a board-approved practical nursing program. The Tennessee Board maintains an approved program list on its website. You can also browse LPN programs in Tennessee on this site. When you finish the program, the school provides an application packet. Out-of-state examination candidates can request one through the Tennessee Board of Nursing’s website. A criminal background check is required as part of the application.
Applying for Licensure
Register for the NCLEX-PN through Pearson VUE (https://www.nclex.com/). The exam fee is $200. Once the Board approves your eligibility, you’ll receive an Authorization to Test (ATT) and can schedule at any Pearson testing center nationwide.
After you test, official results go directly to the Board. If you want results sooner, Pearson Quick Results offers unofficial results for a small fee, but accessing them won’t speed up the licensing process. A successful candidate can expect the license to be issued shortly after official results are received.
If you don’t pass, you can apply to retake the exam. Tennessee will send remediation information to help you prepare. After a second failed attempt, the Board may impose additional requirements before allowing you to retest.
For more on what LPNs are authorized to do once licensed, see LPN scope of practice in Tennessee.
LPN by Endorsement
LPNs licensed in another jurisdiction can apply for endorsement if they meet Tennessee’s requirements: graduation from an approved practical nursing program and a passing score on the NCLEX-PN. Applicants who were licensed in an earlier era may also qualify if they passed the SBTPE.
The endorsement application is available through the Tennessee Department of Health’s online system. At the time of writing, required materials included a nursing transcript and diploma, a fee, a recent photo, and a notarized affidavit. Confirm the current list of requirements and the fee amount on the Tennessee Board of Nursing’s website before applying, as these administrative details are updated periodically.
Tennessee uses IdentoGO by MorphoTrust for fingerprint processing. Schedule online through their website. Fingerprints are submitted electronically to the FBI. Full instructions are on the Department of Health’s criminal background check page.
RN License Requirements in Tennessee
Education
Enroll in a board-approved RN program. Tennessee approves associate’s degree in nursing (ADN), baccalaureate (BSN), and direct-entry master’s programs. Programs approved by other state boards are acceptable if their content is substantially similar to Tennessee’s standards. See RN programs in Tennessee for a list of approved in-state options.
Applying for Licensure
If you attend an in-state school, the program communicates your eligibility to the Board, and you’ll receive an application packet automatically. Out-of-state graduates use a paper verification form to confirm degree completion and request a packet from the Board directly.
Fingerprinting is required. Tennessee’s approved vendor for electronic fingerprinting is Identogo (identogo.com). Register for the NCLEX-RN through Pearson VUE. The exam fee is $200. Once the Board confirms eligibility, you’ll receive an ATT to schedule your exam.
After official results arrive, the Board issues the license, which can be verified online. Tennessee places time limits on how long candidates have to pass the NCLEX after completing their program. If you don’t pass on a second attempt, the Board may require additional preparation steps before you can schedule another exam. Check the Board’s website for current retake rules.
RN by Endorsement
RNs who completed a nursing program and hold an active license based on a passing NCLEX score can apply for endorsement in Tennessee. The application is available online through the Department of Health.
Required materials have historically included a record of nursing positions held in recent years, a transcript or diploma copy, and official license verification. If your original state participates in Nursys, request verification through nursys.com. If not, contact that state’s Board of Nursing directly and request that verification be sent to Tennessee.
Confirm current requirements, fees, and photo or notarization requirements on the Tennessee Board of Nursing’s website before applying. License verification and background check results must be received before the Board can issue a permit. Their arrival doesn’t shorten the overall processing time.
Internationally Educated Nurses
Internationally educated candidates should visit the Tennessee Board of Nursing’s website or contact the Board directly for current application instructions. Requirements may differ from those for U.S.-educated candidates.
License Renewal and Continuing Education
Tennessee nursing licenses renew every two years. Both RNs and LPNs renew online through the Tennessee Department of Health’s Licensure and Regulatory System (LARS). Confirm current renewal fees on the Board’s website before submitting.
Tennessee uses a continuing competence model rather than a straight CE-hour requirement. During each renewal cycle, nurses must complete a set number of activities from a Board-approved list. Options have included:
- Continuing education contact hours
- A satisfactory employer evaluation
- A written self-evaluation based on the Board’s nursing practice standards
- A peer letter evaluating your nursing performance
- Evidence of a current national nursing certification
- Participation in nursing education, such as precepting students (RNs only)
- A published nursing-related article written by you
The number of required activities and the specific options on the list are subject to change. Verify the current continuing competence requirements on the Tennessee Board of Nursing’s website before your renewal cycle. The Board accepts CE from providers accredited by the American Nurses Credentialing Center (ANCC).
The Tennessee Nurses Association (tnaonline.org) is the state’s main professional organization for RNs and includes resources for LPNs through its LPN Connect program. The Tennessee Nurses Foundation offers scholarship programs for nursing students. Additional financial aid information is available through the Tennessee Center for Nursing.
Find nursing licensure requirements by state for RNs, LPNs, LVNs, and advanced practice nurses.
Frequently Asked Questions
Does Tennessee participate in the Nurse Licensure Compact?
Yes. Tennessee is a member of the Enhanced Nurse Licensure Compact (eNLC). If Tennessee is your primary state of residence, your license is valid in other eNLC member states without a separate application. Nurses who are relocating from another compact state should begin the Tennessee endorsement process before establishing residency. The Board sets limits on how long you can continue to practice under an out-of-state compact license after changing your primary state. Check the Tennessee Board of Nursing’s website for the current timeframe.
How long does it take to get a nursing license in Tennessee by endorsement?
Processing time depends on when all required documents arrive at the Board. Delays are most often caused by late fingerprint results or license verifications from other states. Submitting a complete application at one time reduces the wait. Contact the Tennessee Board of Nursing directly for current processing estimates.
What are the NCLEX pass rates for Tennessee nursing programs?
The Tennessee Board of Nursing publishes NCLEX pass rates by program, profession, and year on its website. Rates vary by school and program type. Check the Board’s current published data for the most accurate figures for programs you’re considering.
What happens if I fail the NCLEX in Tennessee?
You can retake the NCLEX, but Tennessee places time limits on how long candidates have to pass after completing their nursing program. The Board sends remediation information after a failed attempt. After a second failure, the Board may require additional steps, such as a refresher course, before you can schedule another exam. Check the Board’s website for current retake rules and timelines.
How do I verify a nursing license in Tennessee?
Tennessee nursing licenses can be verified through the Tennessee Department of Health’s online licensing portal. Nurses needing to verify a license from another state for endorsement purposes should use nursys.com if that state participates, or contact the other state’s Board of Nursing directly.
Key Takeaways
- Two licensing paths — Tennessee licenses nurses by examination for first-time candidates and by endorsement for nurses already licensed in another state.
- eNLC compact state — A Tennessee license is valid in other Enhanced Nurse Licensure Compact states. Nurses relocating to Tennessee from another compact state should begin the endorsement process before establishing residency.
- Biennial renewal required — Tennessee licenses renew every two years. RNs and LPNs must complete continuing competence activities each cycle from a Board-approved list.
- NCLEX time limits apply — Tennessee places limits on how long candidates have to pass after completing their program. Check the Board’s website for current retake rules.
- Verify requirements with the Board — Fees, timelines, and application procedures can change. Confirm current requirements on the Tennessee Board of Nursing’s website before applying.
Find Tennessee-approved nursing programs, application links, and licensing resources for your credential and state.