RN Warehouse

Tennessee nursing license rules

Compact state

RN and LPN · Last checked November 4, 2026 · Sources

Tennessee is a compact state (since January 2018). If your primary state of residence is another compact state and you hold a multistate license, you can work in Tennessee in person or by telehealth without a new license. If you live in Tennessee, your multistate license is issued here.

RN renewalEvery 2 years
RN CE hours per cycle5 (one of 2 options)
RN endorsement fee$150
Renewal cycle
Every 2 years
When it expires
Last day of your birth month, every 2 years (Tenn. Comp. R. & Regs. 1000-01-.03 / 1000-02-.03). You can renew up to 60 days early.
Renewal fee
$140
Raised from $100 for renewals on or after April 8, 2026
Continuing education
No fixed CE hour count. Every 2 years you show continued competence with 2 of the board's listed options. One option is 5 contact hours of CE (10 if you are not practicing). Others include national certification or an employer evaluation.
Required CE topics
None found on the board's pages.
Endorsement fee
$150
Fingerprints for endorsement
Yes, a criminal background check with fingerprints
Temporary permit
Not confirmed yet. Check with the board
How to apply
Apply online; verify original license via Nursys ($30 to Nursys). Criminal background check required. Multistate holders in another compact state are not eligible until they declare TN as primary residence.

Moving or traveling

Moving to Tennessee from another compact state? Apply by endorsement in the new home state within 60 days (rule effective 2024-01-02). May keep practicing on the old multistate license until the new one is issued; the old one is then deactivated. Can apply before moving.

Moving here from a non-compact state? Apply by endorsement in the new home state; a multistate license may be issued if residency and uniform requirements (incl. state and federal fingerprint background checks) are met. The old single-state license is unaffected.

Check another state

Board of nursing

Tennessee Board of Nursing (Department of Health)

Licenses: RN, LPN

Board home · Renewal · Endorsement · CE rules
This page summarizes Tennessee's rules from the board's own pages as of November 4, 2026. Fees and rules change, so confirm with the board before you apply or renew. Spotted something out of date? Email [email protected].

Sources