How many CE hours do nurses need in Tennessee?

Tennessee does not mandate a fixed number of CE hours. Continuing education is one of several ways to meet the continuing-competency requirement. Nurses who choose the CE option typically complete 10 contact hours every 2 years.

What are the mandatory CE topics in Tennessee?

Tennessee does not have specific mandatory CE topic requirements beyond the total hour requirement.

What is the renewal cycle for nursing licenses in Tennessee?

Nursing licenses in Tennessee must be renewed every 2 years. The Tennessee Board of Nursing oversees license renewals.

What is the RN renewal fee in Tennessee?

The RN renewal fee in Tennessee is $140. Fees can change, so confirm the current amount on the Tennessee Board of Nursing portal before submitting.

When are nursing licenses due for renewal in Tennessee?

Tennessee nursing licenses are due end of birth month, every 2 years.

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

Yes. Tennessee is a Nurse Licensure Compact (NLC) member state, so an NLC multistate license allows practice in all compact states.

Does Tennessee require CE Broker for tracking continuing education?

No. Tennessee does not require CE Broker, though some nurses use it voluntarily to track CE across multiple states.

What license types does Tennessee regulate?

Tennessee regulates the following nursing license types: RN, APRN, LPN.

How many CE hours do LPNs need in Tennessee?

Tennessee does not mandate a fixed number of CE hours for LPNs. Continuing education is one of several ways to meet the continuing-competency requirement; LPNs who choose the CE option typically complete 10 contact hours every 2 years.

What does APRN renewal require in Tennessee?

Tennessee does not mandate a fixed number of CE hours for APRNs; CE is one of several competency options (10 contact hours if you choose the CE pathway). The APRN renewal fee is $150. Your national certification renews separately with its certifying body on its own cycle.

Tennessee RN License Renewal Requirements

Name: Tennessee Nursing License Renewal
Creator: RenewRN

Verified 2026-06-22

Tennessee Board of Nursing · 2-year renewal cycle

Verified by the Tennessee Board of Nursing · Last reviewed June 22, 2026 · How RenewRN verifies its data

Built by Keegan, a travel RN · verified against official board sources

As of 2026, Tennessee RNs renew every 2 years by meeting one of several board-approved competency options; the CE option is 10 contact hours. The RN renewal fee is $140.

Get an alert if Tennessee changes a rule

We watch the Tennesseeboard so you don't have to. One email, only when a CE or license rule actually changes. Not a newsletter, rare by nature, unsubscribe anytime.

Free. We only use your email for Tennessee rule alerts, and never sell it.

Quick Facts

Renewal cycle	Every 2 years
Total CE hours (RN)	No fixed mandate (10 hrs if you choose the CE option)
Renewal fee (RN)	$140
Compact state (NLC)	Yes, NLC member · check your eligibility
License types	RN, APRN, LPN
Typical pay	See nurse salary by state

Tennessee uses a continued-competence model (effective October 8, 2024): rather than a flat CE-hour mandate, nurses complete at least two of fourteen menu items each two-year renewal. One option is 10 contact hours of Board-approved continuing education; others include national certification, academic credit, authoring a publication, presenting, precepting, an employer competency evaluation, or a Board-approved refresher. Because CE is just one of the options, a nurse can renew without any continuing education by completing two non-CE items. Tennessee is a Nurse Licensure Compact (NLC) member state, so nurses with a multistate license can practice across all compact states.

Verified against the Tennessee Board of Nursing, last checked 2026-06-22. Found something off? Let me know.

Tennessee CE Audit Response Guide

Response deadline, retention rules, board address, and the rejections that get nurses dinged.

Read the full Tennessee RN License Renewal Guide

Step-by-step walkthrough, common mistakes, and tips for a smooth renewal

How to Renew Your Tennessee Nursing License

1Log in to the Tennessee Department of Health online portal at tn.gov
2Complete at least two of the fourteen continued-competence menu items (for example 10 CE contact hours, national certification, a published nursing article, or precepting)
3Complete the renewal application and answer all required questions
4Affirm completion of continuing competence requirements
5Pay the renewal fee online ($140 for RN/LPN, $150 for APRN)
6Receive your renewed license confirmation

Visit the Tennessee Board of Nursing website for the official renewal portal.

Free PDF

Get the Tennessee RN renewal checklist

A one-page, board-verified checklist: every CE requirement, mandatory topic, fee, deadline, and renewal step for Tennessee. Enter your email and it downloads instantly. No account needed.

Free-CE picks every Friday + monthly digest. No spam; unsubscribe anytime.

Want it tracked against your own license with reminders before each deadline? Create a free account

CE Hours by License Type

Tennessee ranks #39 of 51 for RN renewal burden, one of the lightest in the country.See the CE Burden Index

Type	CE hours	Renewal fee
RN	10 / 2 yrs (CE option)	$140
APRN	10 / 2 yrs (CE option)	$150
LPN	10 / 2 yrs (CE option)	$100

CE deadline calculator Check if a course counts

APRN renewal in Tennessee. The board is only one clock: your national certification and any DEA registration renew on their own cycles. Full Tennessee APRN renewal guide

CE Requirements

Category	Hours	Required	Types	Description
Continuing Competence	10	Required	RNLPNAPRNFNPCRNACNMPMHNP	Tennessee demonstrates continued competence by completing at least TWO of fourteen menu items each renewal (eff. 10/8/2024). One menu item is 10 contact hours of Board-approved CE; others include national certification, academic credit, publishing, presenting, precepting, employer evaluation, and more. There is no flat CE-hour mandate.
APRN Controlled Substances	2	Required	APRNFNPCRNACNMPMHNP	2 hours in controlled substance prescribing required for APRNs with prescriptive authority (may count within the 10-hour CE menu option, not necessarily in addition to it).
Nursing Practice	0	Optional	RNLPNAPRNFNPCRNACNMPMHNP	All CE must be relevant to nursing practice from an approved provider

Certified Nursing Assistants (CNAs): Tennessee CNA renewal is handled by the state nurse-aide registry, not the Board of Nursing, and follows a work-hours / in-service model rather than the CE above. Check your state nurse-aide registry for CNA requirements.

Find free Tennessee CE. Verified ANCC-accredited and state-approved courses. No affiliate links, no upsells. Browse free courses

Important Deadlines

Renewal Due: End of birth month, every 2 years
Grace Period: 60-day late renewal period with additional late fee; practicing on an expired license is prohibited
Record Retention: Keep CE certificates for at least 4 years in case of audit by the Tennessee Board of Nursing

Important Notes

• Tennessee uses a multi-pathway continued-competence model (effective 10/8/2024): each renewal you must complete at least TWO of fourteen menu items, not a flat CE-hour total
• Menu items include 10 contact hours of Board-approved CE, national certification or recertification, academic credit in nursing, authoring a nursing publication, presenting nursing education, precepting, an employer competency evaluation, volunteer nursing service, a documented nursing-goals project, or a Board-approved refresher program. Because CE is only one of the menu items, a nurse can renew with zero CE by choosing two non-CE items
• No specific mandatory topics are required for RN/LPN. All CE must be relevant to nursing practice
• APRNs with prescriptive authority must include 2 hours on controlled substance prescribing
• Tennessee has one of the lowest CE hour requirements among states we track
• Tennessee is a Nurse Licensure Compact (NLC) member state
• This information is for guidance only. Always verify requirements with the Tennessee Board of Nursing.

CE Providers & Renewal

Approved CE Providers

ANCCTennessee Board of Nursing

Renew Online

Late Fees & Reinstatement

Reinstatement Fees

RN: $200 (prorated)
LPN: $200 (prorated)

Already lapsed? The Tennessee re-entry guide covers refresher rules, costs by lapse length, and the path back.

First-Time Licensee Exemption

First-time licensees are exempt from CE requirements for the first renewal cycle

CE Audit Information

The Tennessee Department of Health audits continued-competence records; documentation is due within 30 days of a written request.

Frequently asked questions about Tennessee nursing renewal

How many CE hours do nurses need in Tennessee?: Tennessee does not mandate a fixed number of CE hours. Continuing education is one of several ways to meet the continuing-competency requirement. Nurses who choose the CE option typically complete 10 contact hours every 2 years.
What are the mandatory CE topics in Tennessee?: Tennessee does not have specific mandatory CE topic requirements beyond the total hour requirement.
What is the renewal cycle for nursing licenses in Tennessee?: Nursing licenses in Tennessee must be renewed every 2 years. The Tennessee Board of Nursing oversees license renewals.
What is the RN renewal fee in Tennessee?: The RN renewal fee in Tennessee is $140. Fees can change, so confirm the current amount on the Tennessee Board of Nursing portal before submitting.
When are nursing licenses due for renewal in Tennessee?: Tennessee nursing licenses are due end of birth month, every 2 years.
Is Tennessee part of the Nurse Licensure Compact (NLC)?: Yes. Tennessee is a Nurse Licensure Compact (NLC) member state, so an NLC multistate license allows practice in all compact states.
Does Tennessee require CE Broker for tracking continuing education?: No. Tennessee does not require CE Broker, though some nurses use it voluntarily to track CE across multiple states.
What license types does Tennessee regulate?: Tennessee regulates the following nursing license types: RN, APRN, LPN.
How many CE hours do LPNs need in Tennessee?: Tennessee does not mandate a fixed number of CE hours for LPNs. Continuing education is one of several ways to meet the continuing-competency requirement; LPNs who choose the CE option typically complete 10 contact hours every 2 years.
What does APRN renewal require in Tennessee?: Tennessee does not mandate a fixed number of CE hours for APRNs; CE is one of several competency options (10 contact hours if you choose the CE pathway). The APRN renewal fee is $150. Your national certification renews separately with its certifying body on its own cycle.

Sources & Board Resources

Tennessee Board of Nursing

https://www.tn.gov/health/licensure/nurs.html

Sources

Cite or embed this page

These Tennessee renewal figures are free to cite, quote, or republish with attribution and a link (CC BY 4.0). Suggested citation:

RenewRN, “Tennessee Nursing License Renewal Requirements” (June 2026), renewrn.net/states/tennessee, verified against the Tennessee Board of Nursing.

Embed the Tennessee requirements on your site

Paste this where you want the requirement summary to appear:

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  style="border:1px solid #e5e7eb;border-radius:12px" loading="lazy"
  title="Tennessee RN renewal requirements by RenewRN"></iframe>

Journalists & educators: for state-level detail, custom data cuts, or comment, contact support@renewrn.net.

Last verified 2026-06-22·View official source →

Always confirm requirements directly with the Tennessee Board of Nursing before making decisions about your license renewal.

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More for Tennessee nurses

Tennessee RN License Renewal Requirements

Verified 2026-06-22

Tennessee Board of Nursing · 2-year renewal cycle

Verified by the Tennessee Board of Nursing · Last reviewed June 22, 2026 · How RenewRN verifies its data

Built by Keegan, a travel RN · verified against official board sources

As of 2026, Tennessee RNs renew every 2 years by meeting one of several board-approved competency options; the CE option is 10 contact hours. The RN renewal fee is $140.

Get an alert if Tennessee changes a rule

We watch the Tennesseeboard so you don't have to. One email, only when a CE or license rule actually changes. Not a newsletter, rare by nature, unsubscribe anytime.

Free. We only use your email for Tennessee rule alerts, and never sell it.

Quick Facts

Renewal cycle	Every 2 years
Total CE hours (RN)	No fixed mandate (10 hrs if you choose the CE option)
Renewal fee (RN)	$140
Compact state (NLC)	Yes, NLC member · check your eligibility
License types	RN, APRN, LPN
Typical pay	See nurse salary by state

Verified against the Tennessee Board of Nursing, last checked 2026-06-22. Found something off? Let me know.

Tennessee CE Audit Response Guide

Response deadline, retention rules, board address, and the rejections that get nurses dinged.

Read the full Tennessee RN License Renewal Guide

Step-by-step walkthrough, common mistakes, and tips for a smooth renewal

How to Renew Your Tennessee Nursing License

1Log in to the Tennessee Department of Health online portal at tn.gov
2Complete at least two of the fourteen continued-competence menu items (for example 10 CE contact hours, national certification, a published nursing article, or precepting)
3Complete the renewal application and answer all required questions
4Affirm completion of continuing competence requirements
5Pay the renewal fee online ($140 for RN/LPN, $150 for APRN)
6Receive your renewed license confirmation

Visit the Tennessee Board of Nursing website for the official renewal portal.

Free PDF

Get the Tennessee RN renewal checklist

A one-page, board-verified checklist: every CE requirement, mandatory topic, fee, deadline, and renewal step for Tennessee. Enter your email and it downloads instantly. No account needed.

Free-CE picks every Friday + monthly digest. No spam; unsubscribe anytime.

Want it tracked against your own license with reminders before each deadline? Create a free account

CE Hours by License Type

Tennessee ranks #39 of 51 for RN renewal burden, one of the lightest in the country.See the CE Burden Index

Type	CE hours	Renewal fee
RN	10 / 2 yrs (CE option)	$140
APRN	10 / 2 yrs (CE option)	$150
LPN	10 / 2 yrs (CE option)	$100

CE deadline calculator Check if a course counts

APRN renewal in Tennessee. The board is only one clock: your national certification and any DEA registration renew on their own cycles. Full Tennessee APRN renewal guide

CE Requirements

Category	Hours	Required	Types	Description
Continuing Competence	10	Required	RNLPNAPRNFNPCRNACNMPMHNP	Tennessee demonstrates continued competence by completing at least TWO of fourteen menu items each renewal (eff. 10/8/2024). One menu item is 10 contact hours of Board-approved CE; others include national certification, academic credit, publishing, presenting, precepting, employer evaluation, and more. There is no flat CE-hour mandate.
APRN Controlled Substances	2	Required	APRNFNPCRNACNMPMHNP	2 hours in controlled substance prescribing required for APRNs with prescriptive authority (may count within the 10-hour CE menu option, not necessarily in addition to it).
Nursing Practice	0	Optional	RNLPNAPRNFNPCRNACNMPMHNP	All CE must be relevant to nursing practice from an approved provider

Find free Tennessee CE. Verified ANCC-accredited and state-approved courses. No affiliate links, no upsells. Browse free courses

Important Deadlines

Renewal Due: End of birth month, every 2 years
Grace Period: 60-day late renewal period with additional late fee; practicing on an expired license is prohibited
Record Retention: Keep CE certificates for at least 4 years in case of audit by the Tennessee Board of Nursing

Important Notes

• Tennessee uses a multi-pathway continued-competence model (effective 10/8/2024): each renewal you must complete at least TWO of fourteen menu items, not a flat CE-hour total
• Menu items include 10 contact hours of Board-approved CE, national certification or recertification, academic credit in nursing, authoring a nursing publication, presenting nursing education, precepting, an employer competency evaluation, volunteer nursing service, a documented nursing-goals project, or a Board-approved refresher program. Because CE is only one of the menu items, a nurse can renew with zero CE by choosing two non-CE items
• No specific mandatory topics are required for RN/LPN. All CE must be relevant to nursing practice
• APRNs with prescriptive authority must include 2 hours on controlled substance prescribing
• Tennessee has one of the lowest CE hour requirements among states we track
• Tennessee is a Nurse Licensure Compact (NLC) member state
• This information is for guidance only. Always verify requirements with the Tennessee Board of Nursing.

CE Providers & Renewal

Approved CE Providers

ANCCTennessee Board of Nursing

Renew Online

Late Fees & Reinstatement

Reinstatement Fees

RN: $200 (prorated)
LPN: $200 (prorated)

Already lapsed? The Tennessee re-entry guide covers refresher rules, costs by lapse length, and the path back.

First-Time Licensee Exemption

First-time licensees are exempt from CE requirements for the first renewal cycle

CE Audit Information

The Tennessee Department of Health audits continued-competence records; documentation is due within 30 days of a written request.

Frequently asked questions about Tennessee nursing renewal

How many CE hours do nurses need in Tennessee?: Tennessee does not mandate a fixed number of CE hours. Continuing education is one of several ways to meet the continuing-competency requirement. Nurses who choose the CE option typically complete 10 contact hours every 2 years.
What are the mandatory CE topics in Tennessee?: Tennessee does not have specific mandatory CE topic requirements beyond the total hour requirement.
What is the renewal cycle for nursing licenses in Tennessee?: Nursing licenses in Tennessee must be renewed every 2 years. The Tennessee Board of Nursing oversees license renewals.
What is the RN renewal fee in Tennessee?: The RN renewal fee in Tennessee is $140. Fees can change, so confirm the current amount on the Tennessee Board of Nursing portal before submitting.
When are nursing licenses due for renewal in Tennessee?: Tennessee nursing licenses are due end of birth month, every 2 years.
Is Tennessee part of the Nurse Licensure Compact (NLC)?: Yes. Tennessee is a Nurse Licensure Compact (NLC) member state, so an NLC multistate license allows practice in all compact states.
Does Tennessee require CE Broker for tracking continuing education?: No. Tennessee does not require CE Broker, though some nurses use it voluntarily to track CE across multiple states.
What license types does Tennessee regulate?: Tennessee regulates the following nursing license types: RN, APRN, LPN.
How many CE hours do LPNs need in Tennessee?: Tennessee does not mandate a fixed number of CE hours for LPNs. Continuing education is one of several ways to meet the continuing-competency requirement; LPNs who choose the CE option typically complete 10 contact hours every 2 years.
What does APRN renewal require in Tennessee?: Tennessee does not mandate a fixed number of CE hours for APRNs; CE is one of several competency options (10 contact hours if you choose the CE pathway). The APRN renewal fee is $150. Your national certification renews separately with its certifying body on its own cycle.

Sources & Board Resources

Tennessee Board of Nursing

https://www.tn.gov/health/licensure/nurs.html

Sources

Cite or embed this page

These Tennessee renewal figures are free to cite, quote, or republish with attribution and a link (CC BY 4.0). Suggested citation:

RenewRN, “Tennessee Nursing License Renewal Requirements” (June 2026), renewrn.net/states/tennessee, verified against the Tennessee Board of Nursing.

Embed the Tennessee requirements on your site

Paste this where you want the requirement summary to appear:

<iframe src="https://www.renewrn.net/embed/states/tennessee" width="100%" height="480"
  style="border:1px solid #e5e7eb;border-radius:12px" loading="lazy"
  title="Tennessee RN renewal requirements by RenewRN"></iframe>

Journalists & educators: for state-level detail, custom data cuts, or comment, contact support@renewrn.net.

Last verified 2026-06-22·View official source →

Always confirm requirements directly with the Tennessee Board of Nursing before making decisions about your license renewal.

Don't miss your Tennessee renewal

Create a free account to track your CE and get reminders before your deadline. Setup takes 60 seconds.

Get reminders on your actual Tennessee renewal date

Create a free account

Start free View All States

Tennessee RN License Renewal Requirements

Quick Facts

How to Renew Your Tennessee Nursing License

Get the Tennessee RN renewal checklist

CE Hours by License Type

CE Requirements

Important Deadlines

Important Notes

CE Providers & Renewal

Late Fees & Reinstatement

Frequently asked questions about Tennessee nursing renewal

Sources & Board Resources

Cite or embed this page

Other Nurse Licensure Compact states

Don't miss your Tennessee renewal

More for Tennessee nurses

Tennessee RN License Renewal Requirements

Quick Facts

How to Renew Your Tennessee Nursing License

Get the Tennessee RN renewal checklist

CE Hours by License Type

CE Requirements

Important Deadlines

Important Notes

CE Providers & Renewal

Late Fees & Reinstatement

Frequently asked questions about Tennessee nursing renewal

Sources & Board Resources

Cite or embed this page

Other Nurse Licensure Compact states

Don't miss your Tennessee renewal

More for Tennessee nurses