Returning to nursing in Tennessee

Reinstatement and refresher requirements · Verified 2026-06-04

The Tennessee RN reinstatement fee is $200 (prorated), plus any back renewal fees. What else your return takes depends on how long the license has been lapsed: short lapses are paperwork and CE, long ones can add a refresher course.

What your lapse length means in Tennessee

Lapsed	Status	Estimated cost
2 months lapsed	Reinstatement required	Reinstatement fee (Tennessee: $200 (prorated)) plus back fees for missed renewal cycles. Total typically $300–$800.
1 year lapsed	Reinstatement required	Reinstatement fee (Tennessee: $200 (prorated)) plus back fees for missed renewal cycles. Total typically $300–$800.
3 years lapsed	Reinstatement + likely refresher course	Reinstatement fee (Tennessee: $200 (prorated)) + refresher course tuition ($500–$2,500) + back fees. Total usually $1,500–$4,000.
6 years lapsed	Deep lapse: refresher course + possible re-application	If reinstatement is allowed: $1,500–$4,500 (fees + refresher). If re-application is required: $300–$800 in application fees plus NCLEX retake costs.

Size your exact situation with the reinstatement calculator, which uses the same board data.

Refresher course rules in Tennessee

What the board publishes

Board-sourced

When a refresher applies: Not engaged in practice for 5 or more years moves the license toward inactive status, and reactivation requires demonstrating competence through one option the applicant chooses.
What it takes: Options include 10 contact hours of CE per year of inactivity, a two-week board-approved refresher, a two-week comprehensive orientation, recent enrollment in a nursing degree program, current specialty certification, or re-examination, per Tenn. Comp. R. 1000-01-.18.
Re-examination: Retaking the NCLEX is ONE acceptable option among several, never the only path; most returning nurses choose the CE or refresher options.

Source: Tennessee Comp. R. and Regs. 1000-01-.18, last checked 2026-06-11. Rules change; confirm with the board before enrolling in anything.

Steps to reinstate in Tennessee

1Stop practicing immediately if you haven't already.
2Pull your CE records together: every certificate, every approved provider.
3Submit the reinstatement application through the board portal.
4Pay reinstatement fee + any back renewal fees.
5Expect a fingerprint background check (most states require one at reinstatement).
6Plan for 2–8 weeks of processing before you can return to work.

Start at the source: Tennessee Board of Nursing or the online renewal portal.

Tennessee reinstatement FAQ

How much does it cost to reinstate a lapsed RN license in Tennessee?: The Tennessee RN reinstatement fee is $200 (prorated), plus any back renewal fees the board assesses. A refresher course, where required, adds tuition on top (typically $500 to $2,500 nationally). Confirm the current total with the Tennessee Board of Nursing before applying.
Do I need a refresher course to reinstate my Tennessee nursing license?: Not engaged in practice for 5 or more years moves the license toward inactive status, and reactivation requires demonstrating competence through one option the applicant chooses. Options include 10 contact hours of CE per year of inactivity, a two-week board-approved refresher, a two-week comprehensive orientation, recent enrollment in a nursing degree program, current specialty certification, or re-examination, per Tenn. Comp. R. 1000-01-.18.
Will I have to retake the NCLEX to get my Tennessee license back?: Retaking the NCLEX is ONE acceptable option among several, never the only path; most returning nurses choose the CE or refresher options.
Is there a grace period after my Tennessee license expires?: Tennessee's published rule: 60-day late renewal period with additional late fee; practicing on an expired license is prohibited. A grace or late window is not permission to practice; check your status with the board before working.
How long does Tennessee license reinstatement take?: Short lapses usually process in 2 to 8 weeks once the application is complete. If a refresher course is involved, plan around the course length, often 3 to 9 months end to end. The Tennessee Board of Nursing publishes processing updates on its portal.

Inactive vs lapsed: which path costs less

CE requirements for returning nurses

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What your lapse length means in Tennessee

Lapsed	Status	Estimated cost
2 months lapsed	Reinstatement required	Reinstatement fee (Tennessee: $200 (prorated)) plus back fees for missed renewal cycles. Total typically $300–$800.
1 year lapsed	Reinstatement required	Reinstatement fee (Tennessee: $200 (prorated)) plus back fees for missed renewal cycles. Total typically $300–$800.
3 years lapsed	Reinstatement + likely refresher course	Reinstatement fee (Tennessee: $200 (prorated)) + refresher course tuition ($500–$2,500) + back fees. Total usually $1,500–$4,000.
6 years lapsed	Deep lapse: refresher course + possible re-application	If reinstatement is allowed: $1,500–$4,500 (fees + refresher). If re-application is required: $300–$800 in application fees plus NCLEX retake costs.

Size your exact situation with the reinstatement calculator, which uses the same board data.

Refresher course rules in Tennessee

What the board publishes

Board-sourced

When a refresher applies: Not engaged in practice for 5 or more years moves the license toward inactive status, and reactivation requires demonstrating competence through one option the applicant chooses.
What it takes: Options include 10 contact hours of CE per year of inactivity, a two-week board-approved refresher, a two-week comprehensive orientation, recent enrollment in a nursing degree program, current specialty certification, or re-examination, per Tenn. Comp. R. 1000-01-.18.
Re-examination: Retaking the NCLEX is ONE acceptable option among several, never the only path; most returning nurses choose the CE or refresher options.

Source: Tennessee Comp. R. and Regs. 1000-01-.18, last checked 2026-06-11. Rules change; confirm with the board before enrolling in anything.

Steps to reinstate in Tennessee

1Stop practicing immediately if you haven't already.

2Pull your CE records together: every certificate, every approved provider.

3Submit the reinstatement application through the board portal.

4Pay reinstatement fee + any back renewal fees.

5Expect a fingerprint background check (most states require one at reinstatement).

6Plan for 2–8 weeks of processing before you can return to work.

Tennessee reinstatement FAQ

How much does it cost to reinstate a lapsed RN license in Tennessee?

The Tennessee RN reinstatement fee is $200 (prorated), plus any back renewal fees the board assesses. A refresher course, where required, adds tuition on top (typically $500 to $2,500 nationally). Confirm the current total with the Tennessee Board of Nursing before applying.

Do I need a refresher course to reinstate my Tennessee nursing license?

Not engaged in practice for 5 or more years moves the license toward inactive status, and reactivation requires demonstrating competence through one option the applicant chooses. Options include 10 contact hours of CE per year of inactivity, a two-week board-approved refresher, a two-week comprehensive orientation, recent enrollment in a nursing degree program, current specialty certification, or re-examination, per Tenn. Comp. R. 1000-01-.18.

Will I have to retake the NCLEX to get my Tennessee license back?

Retaking the NCLEX is ONE acceptable option among several, never the only path; most returning nurses choose the CE or refresher options.

Is there a grace period after my Tennessee license expires?

Tennessee's published rule: 60-day late renewal period with additional late fee; practicing on an expired license is prohibited. A grace or late window is not permission to practice; check your status with the board before working.

How long does Tennessee license reinstatement take?

Short lapses usually process in 2 to 8 weeks once the application is complete. If a refresher course is involved, plan around the course length, often 3 to 9 months end to end. The Tennessee Board of Nursing publishes processing updates on its portal.

Returning to nursing in Tennessee

What your lapse length means in Tennessee

Refresher course rules in Tennessee

Steps to reinstate in Tennessee

Tennessee reinstatement FAQ

Related guides

More for Tennessee nurses

Never let it lapse again

Returning to nursing in Tennessee

What your lapse length means in Tennessee

Refresher course rules in Tennessee

Steps to reinstate in Tennessee

Tennessee reinstatement FAQ

Related guides

More for Tennessee nurses

Never let it lapse again