Nurse state crossing · Tennessee licensing · NLC status table · LPN/LVN list
RN work list: Tennessee
What an RN has to do to work in Tennessee. Pick where you live and the page shows your route.
Pick your home state to see which route applies. Both are listed below.
Tennessee: Nurse Licensure Compact state
NCSBN · nursecompact.com · checked 9 Oct 2026
Home and work in Tennessee
If you already hold a licence Tennessee issued, there is no state line to cross. Renewal and continuing-education rules are on the Tennessee licensing page.
Moved here from another compact state? NCSBN says “when your PSOR changes by permanently relocating to another compact state, apply for licensure by endorsement” and “You have 60 days from the time you move to apply for your license.” The endorsement steps are below.
NCSBN · nursecompact.com · checked 10 Nov 2026
Source quotation
when your PSOR changes by permanently relocating to another compact state, apply for licensure by endorsement
You have 60 days from the time you move to apply for your license.
nursecompact.com · NCSBN
Route A: practise on your multistate licence
For a nurse whose home state and Tennessee are both compact states in force, holding a multistate licence.
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Look yourself up on Nursys QuickConfirm. NCSBN: “If you already have a license and you are unsure if your license is single-state or multistate, use Quick Confirm at nursys.com at no cost.”
NCSBN · nursecompact.com · checked 10 Nov 2026
Source quotation
If you already have a license and you are unsure if your license is single-state or multistate, use Quick Confirm at nursys.com at no cost.
nursecompact.com · NCSBN
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Only the compact state you actually live in can issue your multistate licence. NCSBN: “If a nurse's PSOR is a compact state, that nurse may be eligible for a multistate license.”
NCSBN · nursecompact.com · checked 10 Nov 2026
Source quotation
If a nurse's PSOR is a compact state, that nurse may be eligible for a multistate license.
nursecompact.com · NCSBN
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NCSBN defines the privilege to practise as the authority “permitting the practice of nursing as either an RN or LPN/VN in a remote state”.
NCSBN · nursecompact.com · checked 10 Nov 2026
Source quotation
permitting the practice of nursing as either an RN or LPN/VN in a remote state
nursecompact.com · NCSBN
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Yes — a qualifying multistate license permits RN/LPN practice here
Conditions & source context
Applies to RN/LPN practice under a valid home-state multistate license. Employer credentialing and APRN authority are separate.
State legislature · wapp.capitol.tn.gov · checked 9 Oct 2026
Source quotation
A multistate nursing license or license endorsement will be recognized by all compact member states.
wapp.capitol.tn.gov · State legislature
If you move for good, not just for a contract: NCSBN says “when your PSOR changes by permanently relocating to another compact state, apply for licensure by endorsement” and “You have 60 days from the time you move to apply for your license.”
NCSBN · nursecompact.com · checked 10 Nov 2026
Source quotation
You have 60 days from the time you move to apply for your license.
nursecompact.com · NCSBN
Route B: get a Tennessee licence by endorsement
For everyone else. Each step comes from Tennessee’s own licensing sources; tick it off as you go.
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PSOR determination before applying (Tennessee or non-compact state)
- Detail
- Compact-state multistate holders are ineligible until declaring Tennessee PSOR.
Graduate of an approved nursing school and licensed by written examination
- Detail
- RN and LPN stated separately; transcripts sent directly to nursing.health@tn.gov.
Criminal background check with OCA code
- Detail
- RN 1703, LPN 1704; conviction documents plus explanation letter if applicable.
Verification of original licensure, via Nursys for most states
- Detail
- California LPN and Pennsylvania contact their boards for instructions.
Acceptable exam scores (SBTPE or NCLEX at or above board minimum)
Notarized citizenship declaration (SAVE Act verification)
- Detail
- Form PH-41833, no digital signature.
Foreign graduates include CES report plus English proficiency exam unless exempt country
- Detail
- Via TruMerit; IELTS, TOEFL, MET, or OET.
Conditions & source context
Items apply to the relevant RN, LPN or international-education route.
State Board of Nursing · tn.gov · checked 9 Oct 2026
Source quotation
The Tennessee Board of Nursing accepts the State Board Test Pool Examination (SBTPE) or the National Council Licensure Examination (NCLEX) provided scores are equal to or higher than the lowest passing scores required by this board.
tn.gov · State Board of Nursing
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Conditions & source context
The published payment amount differs between Board documents; the total is marked unverified below.
State Board of Nursing · tn.gov · checked 9 Oct 2026
Source quotation
Complete the Online Application and UPLOAD the following documents and submit $150.00 payment (PAY ONE TIME ONLY) - do not submit duplicate payment) at: https://lars.tn.gov/datamart/login.do
tn.gov · State Board of Nursing
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- Per
- RN/LPN endorsement application
- Published schedule usd
- 115
- Instructions payment usd
- 150
- Fingerprint fee usd
- 37.15
Conditions & source context
The Board fee schedule lists $115; its endorsement instructions request a $150 payment. The documents do not explain the difference, so a total application cost is unverified.
State Board of Nursing · tn.gov · checked 9 Oct 2026
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- Required
- Yes
- State check
- Yes
- FBI check
- Yes
- Fingerprints
- Yes
- Vendor
- IdentoGO
- Fee
- 37.15
- From out of state
- Out-of-state applicants register with IdentoGO using agency OCA codes (RN 1703, LPN 1704); prints must be scanned within two weeks of registration or re-registration plus fee is required.
Conditions & source context
Use the Board’s RN or LPN OCA code. Fingerprints must be scanned within two weeks of registration.
State Board of Nursing · tn.gov · checked 9 Oct 2026
Source quotation
All applicants applying for initial licensure in Tennessee (not renewal or reinstatement, required for nursing reinstatement) will be required to obtain a criminal background check conducted by the Tennessee Bureau of Investigation (TBI) and the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI).
tn.gov · State Board of Nursing
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- Required
- Yes
- Verification for endorsement
- Yes
Conditions & source context
Nursys fee, if any, is paid in Nursys and unstated here; fee_usd held null rather than zero. California-LPN and Pennsylvania exceptions documented.
State Board of Nursing · tn.gov · checked 9 Oct 2026
Source quotation
Request Verification of licensure from the state where you were originally licensed. The Nursys website (http://www.nursys.com ) should be used for most states.
tn.gov · State Board of Nursing
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RN
- Requirement
- evidence of TWO competence items per renewal from a 14-item list
- Includes contact hour option
- Hours
- 10
- When required
- per renewal period
LPN
- Requirement
- evidence of TWO competence items per renewal from a 14-item list
- Includes contact hour option
- Hours
- 10
- When required
- per renewal period
Conditions & source context
Keep proof of two qualifying activities for each renewal. Ten CE hours is one option on the list.
State Board of Nursing · tn.gov · checked 9 Oct 2026
Source quotation
Registered Nurses and Licensed Practical Nurses maintain evidence of TWO items from the following list:
tn.gov · State Board of Nursing
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- Typical
- 42
- Basis
- published_by_state
Conditions & source context
Six weeks rendered as 42 days; status checks via the license-verification portal. Reinstatement review separately states six weeks.
State Board of Nursing · tn.gov · checked 9 Oct 2026
Source quotation
Allow six weeks for processing. It is not necessary to call the board to check on the status of your application go to: https://internet.health.tn.gov/Licensure/.
tn.gov · State Board of Nursing
Pick a start date to see the latest day to apply, based on the board’s typical time of 42 days. It can take longer, so apply earlier if you can.
Built from the Tennessee nursing licensing record and the compact status table. A step appears only when the record has a sourced answer for it; anything else points to the board. Informational only: confirm with the board of nursing before you apply.