TN Nursing License Renewal: 3 Steps

Welcome to Tennessee, a state renowned for its breathtaking natural beauty, rich musical heritage, and bustling healthcare industry. Home to over 7 million people and over 2,300 healthcare and life sciences institutions, it’s an attractive destination for nurses. To make the most of career opportunities here, it’s important to stay well-informed on the TN nursing license renewal requirements.

This article is your three-step guide through the Tennessee nursing license renewal process. Whether you’re a CNA, RN, LPN, or APRN, we’ll let you know everything you need to maintain your active license and keep your nursing career rolling.

Tennessee Nursing Facts

To make your license renewal a straightforward and hassle-free task, get these essential details organized and ready.

Is Tennessee part of the Nursing Licensure Compact (NLC)?

Yes.

How much do nurses in Tennessee earn?

• The average CNA salary in Tennessee is $34,850 per year.
• The average LPN salary in Tennessee is $50,430 per year.
• The average RN salary in Tennessee is $78,240 per year.

How can I contact the Tennessee Board of Nursing?

Local Phone Number: 615-532-5166

Nationwide Phone Number: 1-800-778-4123

Email Address: nursing.health@tn.gov

Web Page: https://www.tn.gov/health/health-program-areas/health-professional-boards/nursing-board.html

Tennessee Board of Nursing Address

665 Mainstream Drive, 2nd Floor
Nashville, TN 37228

TN Nursing License Renewal Steps

If you reside in the Volunteer State and work as a CNA, RN, LPN, or APRN, simply follow the three steps below to apply for Tennessee nursing license renewal. If you’re working temporarily in Tennessee with a compact license, you’ll need to renew it in your home state. If renewal is not an option, you can secure your license by endorsement or by successfully passing an examination.

Step 1: Determine Your Renewal Deadline

Getting your nursing license renewed starts with knowing its expiration date. In Tennessee, RNs, LPNs, and APRNs renew their licenses every two years. You’ll get a renewal notice sent to your current address on file 45 days before it’s due. You can also renew your license up to 60 days before it expires. Similarly, CNA certification is valid for 24 months and must be renewed every 2 years.

If you’re still unsure about your expiration date, just use the TN Board of Nursing license verification portal to find your license and check its status.

If your license has already expired — maybe you took a break from nursing or were simply too busy — there’s no need to panic. You can get your license back by applying for licensure reinstatement. And while it does involve submitting extra information and paying an additional fee, it’s a great option to have, isn’t it?

Step 2: Satisfy Continuing Education Requirements

The next significant milestone in your TN nursing license renewal journey is to meet all continuing education requirements.

RN and LPN Requirements: You need to satisfy two of the below requirements to prove your competency each renewal cycle:

• Copy of a satisfactory evaluation from your employer
• Letter from a peer with a satisfactory evaluation of your nursing performance
• Letter from a patient or family member with proof of a satisfactory nurse-patient relationship
• Copy of a contract of reappointment or renewal to a nursing position
• Written self-evaluation based on the standards listed in the Board rules
• Proof of active national certification
• Document that selects 2 nursing goals and how you met them
• Letter from the agency where you volunteered as a nurse
• Documentation from a nursing school stating that you engaged in educating nursing students (RNs only)
• Evidence of 5 contact hours of continuing education (for RNs and LPNs who are not practicing, 10 contact hours will fulfill competency requirements)
• Copy of a published article related to nursing that you wrote
• Evidence of satisfactory completion of a nursing refresher course
• Letter of satisfactory completion of a comprehensive nursing orientation program
• Official transcript (may be student-issued) indicating 2 hours of nursing credit
• Documentation from successfully retaken NCLEX

APRN Requirements: You need to provide a current national certification, which is different from the state license, and fulfill one requirement from the RN proof-of-competence list above.

CNA Requirements: You need to show that you’ve worked at least eight hours in a facility licensed or certified by the Office of Health Care Facilities in the past 24 months. Keep in mind that private duty services, sitting jobs, and private physician’s offices won’t count for renewal. You can prove your employment with a pay stub, payroll printout, or a notarized attestation form.

Taking online courses is a great way to fulfill your TN nursing license renewal requirements. IntelyEdu boasts courses that carry accreditation from the American Nurses Credentialing Center (ANCC). Be sure to have a look.

Step 3: File Your TN Nursing License Renewal Online Application

Now, let’s get to the core of the Tennessee nursing license renewal process. To get started, visit the state’s Licensure and Regulatory System portal and sign in to your account. Once you access your account, you can begin your renewal application. If you have changed your address, last name, or any other license-related details, don’t forget to update them.

You can use this handy resource as a guide for accessing your account and resolving any questions that may arise on your TN nursing license renewal journey. Please bear in mind that this online platform is the central hub for submitting and managing renewal applications for all healthcare licenses, not just nursing. Make sure to pick the right license category from the options provided.

Continue making your way through the application. Eventually, you will be asked to submit the payment. TN nursing license renewal fee structure is as follows:

• RN and LPN: $100
• APRN: $110

Once you pay your license renewal fee, you will see the “Successful Payment” screen. It’s always a good idea to print a receipt and application submission confirmation for your records.

After completing these steps, you’re ready to begin your hunt for RN, LPN, nurse practitioner, and CNA jobs in Tennessee. You can also look for careers in specific cities:

• Nashville
• Memphis
• Knoxville
• Chattanooga
• Clarksville

Find Great Tennessee Nursing Jobs

Congratulations! With your TN nursing license renewal completed, you are ready to explore some exciting job opportunities. Take a look at all nursing jobs in Tennessee that are currently available on IntelyCare, and find the right match for you.