Tennessee Registered Nurse (RN) License Renewal Requirements
Last updated
Tennessee Registered Nurse (RN) License Renewal Requirements
Tennessee registered nurse licenses are regulated by the Tennessee Board of Nursing, under the Department of Health. Tennessee is a member of the Enhanced Nurse Licensure Compact (eNLC) since 2018.
At a Glance
| Detail | Information |
|---|---|
| Regulatory Body | Tennessee Board of Nursing (Dept. of Health) |
| Renewal Cycle | Every 2 years |
| Expiration | Last day of birth month |
| CE Hours | No traditional CE requirement (competency-based) |
| Renewal Fee | $100 (RN) |
| Compact State (NLC) | Yes (eNLC member since 2018) |
| Online Renewal | Yes — LARS portal |
Continuing Competency Requirements
Tennessee uses a competency-based system rather than a traditional CE hour requirement. Nurses must demonstrate continued competence by maintaining evidence of at least two items from an approved list. Options include (but are not limited to):
- 5 contact hours of CE (one of the most common choices)
- 10 contact hours of CE for licensees not currently practicing nursing
- Evidence of active nursing practice (contract, reappointment, employer verification)
- Completion of a nursing-related academic course
- Development of a satisfactory nurse-patient relationship
- National nursing certification or recertification
- Published nursing research or article
- Nursing-related presentations
Tennessee-Specific Notes
- No traditional CE hour mandate. Tennessee technically does not require a specific number of CE hours — instead it uses a competency framework. However, 5 contact hours of CE is the most commonly chosen pathway.
- Compact state. If TN is your primary state of residence, you may hold a multistate license.
- Birth-month expiration. License expires on the last day of your birth month. Even/odd birth year determines even/odd expiration year.
- Audit-based compliance. The Board conducts monthly audits. If audited, you must produce competency evidence within 30 days.
- Retain documentation for 4 years.
- No grace period. Practicing on an expired license is a violation. License must be reinstated if lapsed.
- Renewal notices mailed 45 days before expiration.
- Renew up to 60 days before expiration through LARS.
- APRN Certificate of Fitness holders: Must have minimum 2 CE hours on controlled substance prescribing practices.
- LARS portal (Licensure and Regulatory System) used for all renewal applications.
- CE Broker is the official CE tracking system.
How to Renew
- Maintain evidence of continued competence (at least 2 items from approved list)
- Log in to LARS portal
- Complete the renewal application
- Pay the $100 renewal fee
- Save confirmation receipt
- Retain competency documentation for 4 years
Fees
| Fee Type | Amount |
|---|---|
| RN Renewal | $100 |
| Reinstatement | $200+ |
Contact Information
Tennessee Board of Nursing
- Website: tn.gov — Board of Nursing
- LARS Portal: lars.tn.gov
- Email: Nursing.health@tn.gov
- Phone: (615) 532-5166 or 1-800-778-4123
- Address: 665 Mainstream Drive, 2nd Floor, Nashville, TN 37243
This page is for informational purposes only. Requirements may change — always verify current requirements with the Tennessee Board of Nursing before renewing. Last reviewed March 2026.
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