Tennessee
Compact StateNursing Continuing Education Requirements
Tennessee Nursing CEU Overview
Tennessee does not require general continuing education hours for RN license renewal. This makes it one of the few states without mandatory CE requirements for registered nurses.
Tennessee has minimal continuing education requirements, giving nurses flexibility in their professional development.
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 in Tennessee
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.
Tennessee License Renewal Tips
Although CE is not generally mandated, prescribers have specific CE requirements.
Maintain specialty certifications and their CE requirements.
Nashville's healthcare industry offers many CE opportunities.
Document continuing education for your professional portfolio.
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.
Learn more about the Nurse Licensure Compact →Basic License Types
Registered Nurse (RN)
Contact Hours
0
Renewal Cycle
2 years
Online Allowed
Yes
First Renewal
Required
Notes
- Tennessee does not require continuing education for RN renewal.
- Must have practiced 200+ hours in past 5 years.
LPN/LVN
Contact Hours
0
Renewal Cycle
2 years
Online Allowed
Yes
First Renewal
Required
Notes
- Tennessee does not require continuing education for LPN renewal.
APRN (General)
Contact Hours
0
Renewal Cycle
2 years
Online Allowed
Yes
First Renewal
Required
Mandatory Topics
| Topic | Hours | Frequency |
|---|---|---|
Controlled Substances For prescribers - opioid prescribing education | 2 | Each renewal |
Notes
- Must maintain national certification which requires CE.
- Prescribers need controlled substance CE.
Additional Requirements
Must maintain current national certification
Advanced Practice Specialties
Nurse Practitioner (NP)
Contact Hours
0
Renewal Cycle
2 years
Online Allowed
Yes
First Renewal
Required
Mandatory Topics
| Topic | Hours | Frequency |
|---|---|---|
Controlled Substances For prescribers - opioid prescribing education | 2 | Each renewal |
Notes
- Must maintain national certification which requires CE.
- Prescribers need controlled substance CE.
Additional Requirements
Must maintain current ANCC or AANP certification
Clinical Nurse Specialist (CNS)
Contact Hours
0
Renewal Cycle
2 years
Online Allowed
Yes
First Renewal
Required
Mandatory Topics
| Topic | Hours | Frequency |
|---|---|---|
Controlled Substances For prescribers - opioid prescribing education | 2 | Each renewal |
Notes
- Must maintain national certification which requires CE.
- Prescribers need controlled substance CE.
Additional Requirements
Must maintain current ANCC certification in specialty area
Certified Nurse-Midwife (CNM)
Contact Hours
0
Renewal Cycle
2 years
Online Allowed
Yes
First Renewal
Required
Mandatory Topics
| Topic | Hours | Frequency |
|---|---|---|
Controlled Substances For prescribers - opioid prescribing education | 2 | Each renewal |
Notes
- Must maintain national certification which requires CE.
- Prescribers need controlled substance CE.
Additional Requirements
Must maintain current AMCB certification
Nurse Anesthetist (CRNA)
Contact Hours
0
Renewal Cycle
2 years
Online Allowed
Yes
First Renewal
Required
Mandatory Topics
| Topic | Hours | Frequency |
|---|---|---|
Controlled Substances For prescribers - opioid prescribing education | 2 | Each renewal |
Notes
- Must maintain national certification which requires CE.
- Prescribers need controlled substance CE.
Additional Requirements
Must maintain current NBCRNA certification
Tennessee does not require general CE for RN license renewal. Compared to neighboring states, 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.
Related Resources
Track Your CEUs
Log your completed courses and monitor progress toward Tennessee requirements.
Start Tracking →Compare State Requirements
See how Tennessee compares to other states' nursing CE requirements.
Compare States →Tennessee Board of Nursing
Important Disclaimer
Requirements can change. Always verify current requirements directly with the Tennessee Board of Nursing before making decisions about your continuing education.