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 →
Tennessee Board of Nursing · 2-year renewal cycle · Last verified 2026-02-04
| Renewal Cycle | Every 2 years |
| Total CE Hours (RN) | 5 contact hours |
| Renewal Fee (RN) | $100 |
| Compact State (NLC) | Yes — NLC member |
| License Types | RN, APRN, LPN, CNA |
Tennessee uses a unique continuing competence model that requires 5 CE contact hours plus one additional competence activity per 2-year renewal cycle. The additional activity can be extra CE hours, a professional project, published research, preceptorship, an academic course, or national certification. With only 5 required CE hours, Tennessee has one of the lowest hour requirements among the states we track. Tennessee is a Nurse Licensure Compact (NLC) member state, so nurses with a multistate license can practice across all compact states.
This data is verified against the Tennessee Board of Nursing — last checked 2026-02-04. If anything looks off, let me know.
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.
RN
5
hours / 2 years
Renewal fee: $100
APRN
5
hours / 2 years
Renewal fee: $100
LPN
5
hours / 2 years
Renewal fee: $100
CNA
0
hours / 2 years
Renewal fee: $25
| Category | Hours | Required | License Types | Description |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Continuing Competence | 5 | Required | RNLPNAPRNFNPCRNACNMPMHNPCNA | Tennessee requires a combination approach: 5 CE contact hours plus one additional competence activity per 2-year renewal cycle |
| Additional Competence Activity | 0 | Required | RNLPNAPRNFNPCRNACNMPMHNPCNA | One additional competence item required: options include additional CE hours, professional project, research, publication, preceptorship, academic course, or professional certification |
| APRN Controlled Substances | 2 | Required | APRNFNPCRNACNMPMHNP | 2 hours in controlled substance prescribing required for APRNs with prescriptive authority (included in the 5-hour total or additional activity) |
| Nursing Practice | 0 | Optional | RNLPNAPRNFNPCRNACNMPMHNPCNA | All CE must be relevant to nursing practice from an approved provider |
Approved CE Providers
Late Renewal Fees
Reinstatement Fees
First-Time Licensee Exemption
First-time licensees are exempt from CE requirements for the first renewal cycle
CE Audit Information
State board may conduct random CE audits. Retain all CE certificates for at least 4 years.
Tennessee Board of Nursing
https://www.tn.gov/health/health-program-areas/health-professional-boards/nursing-board.htmlAlways confirm requirements directly with the Tennessee Board of Nursing before making decisions about your license renewal.
CE hours, mandatory topics, renewal reminders — everything you need to stay compliant in Tennessee. Setup takes 60 seconds.