Every CE requirement verified against official state nursing board sources. How RenewRN verifies the data →
Every CE requirement verified against official state nursing board sources. How RenewRN verifies the data →
Field guide · License renewal
Tennessee Board of Nursing · 2-year renewal cycle
Verified against the Tennessee Board of Nursing · Last reviewed · 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.
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| Renewal cycle | Every 2 years |
| Renewal deadline | End of birth month, 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 Tennessee nurse salaries |
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
Visit the Tennessee Board of Nursing website for the official renewal portal.
Turn these steps into a checklist you can track.
RenewRN Pro turns Tennessee's renewal steps into an interactive checklist you check off one by one, with your progress saved so nothing gets missed at the deadline.
Track your renewal steps with ProYou attest to your CE when you renew and keep your certificates; you only submit documents if the board audits you.
A Tennessee RN, at renewal, affirms (attests) on the renewal application that continued-competence requirements are met; certificates are not submitted at renewal. Tennessee uses a continued-competence model with multiple proof options; one option is “Certificate/evidence of ten contact hours per renewal period of continuing education/in-service education.” The nurse keeps evidence four years and produces it only on audit: “Each active licensee must maintain evidence of compliance for four years from when the requirements are completed. This documentation must be produced for inspection and verification within thirty days of a written request by the board.” CE Broker is the board's official tracking system and is encouraged, not required.
Where it happens: Tennessee Dept. of Health online licensing (Board of Nursing); CE Broker is the board's official (encouraged) CE tracking system
www.tn.gov/health/licensure/nurs.htmlAs part of renewal the Department of Health audits licensees; the nurse maintains evidence four years and must produce it for inspection and verification within thirty days of a written request by the board.
Verified 2026-07-03 against tn.gov. Always confirm with the board before relying on it.
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| 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) | $140 |
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
| 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, accredited and state-approved courses. No upsells. Browse free Tennessee nursing CE courses
Missed your Tennessee renewal deadline?
60-day late renewal period with additional late fee; practicing on an expired license is prohibited
What to do if your Tennessee license lapsedApproved CE Providers
Reinstatement Fees
Already lapsed? The Tennessee re-entry guide covers refresher rules, costs by lapse length, and the path back.
Applies to new RN licensure by examination. Verified against the Tennessee Board of Nursing.
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.
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.
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