State of Tennessee
Tennessee.
Updated 2026
Contact hours
For RN renewal, none required
0
Mandatory topics
For RN renewal, topics
0
Online CE
For RN renewal, fully accepted
Yes
¶ Tennessee does not require general continuing education hours for RN license renewal, one of the few states without mandatory CE for registered nurses.
Nursing in Tennessee.
Tennessee has approximately 105,000 licensed registered nurses serving a population of 7 million. Nashville is a major healthcare hub, home to HCA Healthcare headquarters, Vanderbilt University Medical Center, and numerous hospital management companies. Tennessee's healthcare industry is a significant economic driver, with HCA being the largest for-profit hospital operator in the nation.
Tennessee does not require general continuing education hours for RN license renewal. The state relies on initial education standards and professional responsibility. However, nurses prescribing or dispensing controlled substances must complete continuing education in those areas.
Common practice settings
Nashville Healthcare Hub
HCA headquarters and Vanderbilt make Nashville a national center for healthcare business and academic medicine.
Memphis Health Systems
Methodist Le Bonheur and St. Jude Children's Research Hospital serve the Memphis region.
Rural Appalachia
East Tennessee's rural communities face healthcare shortages and high chronic disease rates.
Renewal tips
01
Although CE is not generally mandated, prescribers have specific CE requirements.
02
Maintain specialty certifications and their CE requirements.
03
Nashville's healthcare industry offers many CE opportunities.
04
Document continuing education for your professional portfolio.
The Nurse Licensure Compact in Tennessee
Tennessee is a member of the Nurse Licensure Compact. This is valuable given Tennessee's borders with eight states, many of which are also compact members.
Read the compact license guide→The requirements, by license
Every license type,side by side.
Hours, cycles, mandatory topics, exemptions. Switch between RN, LPN, APRN and the four advanced-practice specialties.
License
RN
Registered nurse.
Contact hours
0
none required
Renewal cycle
2
years
Online CE
Yes
fully accepted
First renewal
Required
Mandatory topics
No mandatory topics for RN renewal.
Notes
- Tennessee does not require continuing education for RN renewal.
- Must have practiced 200+ hours in past 5 years.
License
LPN
LPN / LVN.
Contact hours
0
none required
Renewal cycle
2
years
Online CE
Yes
fully accepted
First renewal
Required
Mandatory topics
No mandatory topics for LPN renewal.
Notes
- Tennessee does not require continuing education for LPN renewal.
License
APRN
APRN, general.
Contact hours
0
none required
Renewal cycle
2
years
Online CE
Yes
fully accepted
First renewal
Required
Mandatory topics
Controlled Substances For prescribers - opioid prescribing education | 2h |
Notes
- Must maintain national certification which requires CE.
- Prescribers need controlled substance CE.
Additional requirements
License
NP
Nurse practitioner.
Contact hours
0
none required
Renewal cycle
2
years
Online CE
Yes
fully accepted
First renewal
Required
Mandatory topics
Controlled Substances For prescribers - opioid prescribing education | 2h |
Notes
- Must maintain national certification which requires CE.
- Prescribers need controlled substance CE.
Additional requirements
License
CNS
Clinical nurse specialist.
Contact hours
0
none required
Renewal cycle
2
years
Online CE
Yes
fully accepted
First renewal
Required
Mandatory topics
Controlled Substances For prescribers - opioid prescribing education | 2h |
Notes
- Must maintain national certification which requires CE.
- Prescribers need controlled substance CE.
Additional requirements
License
CNM
Certified nurse-midwife.
Contact hours
0
none required
Renewal cycle
2
years
Online CE
Yes
fully accepted
First renewal
Required
Mandatory topics
Controlled Substances For prescribers - opioid prescribing education | 2h |
Notes
- Must maintain national certification which requires CE.
- Prescribers need controlled substance CE.
Additional requirements
License
CRNA
Nurse anesthetist.
Contact hours
0
none required
Renewal cycle
2
years
Online CE
Yes
fully accepted
First renewal
Required
Mandatory topics
Controlled Substances For prescribers - opioid prescribing education | 2h |
Notes
- Must maintain national certification which requires CE.
- Prescribers need controlled substance CE.
Additional requirements
In context. Tennessee does not require general CE for RN license renewal. Compared with neighbors, Kentucky requires 14 hours, while Virginia also has no general CE requirement. As a Nurse Licensure Compact state, Tennessee allows nurses to practice across state lines with a multistate license.
Continue.
Verify with the source
Tennessee Board of Nursing.
Verify before relying on this