StateLicensed

Licensed Practical Nurse (LPN) License Requirements in Tennessee

Verified · July 2026
Training hours
1296 hrs
Upfront cost
$340
Exam
NCLEX-PN
Renewal cycle
Every 2 years
Issuing board
Tennessee Board of Nursing

How to get licensed

  1. 1

    Meet the prerequisites

    Graduate of a Tennessee Board of Nursing-approved practical nursing program (or an out-of-state program deemed substantially equivalent for endorsement applicants), pass a criminal background check. Per Rule 1000-01-.03(1)(d) and 1000-01-.04(1)(e), both examination and endorsement applications must include the results of a biometric criminal background check submitted directly to the Board's administrative office from the vendor identified in the Board's licensure application materials. Applicants must also be a U.S. citizen, qualified alien, or non-immigrant meeting requirements under 8 U.S.C. §1621. [1]

  2. 2

    Complete approved training

    Complete 1296 hours of training (including 430 clinical hours) at a state-approved program. Per Tennessee Board of Nursing Rule 1000-01-.11(2)(b), for practical nursing programs at public institutions of higher education the total minimum is 1,296 contact hours (or an equivalent number of credit hours). Required clinical experience hours by category: Medical-Surgical Nursing 325 hours, Maternal and Infant Care 35 hours, Pediatric Nursing 35 hours, Behavioral/Mental Health Nursing 35 hours (430 clinical contact hours total). [1]

  3. 3

    NCLEX-PN

    Pass the NCLEX-PN (fee: $200). National NCLEX-PN registration fee paid directly to Pearson VUE/NCSBN. Per Tennessee Board of Nursing Rule 1000-01-.02(1)(a), applicants may also be required to pay this fee directly to NCSBN, separate from Tennessee's own $140.00 Examination fee (see fees group). [2]

  4. 4

    Submit your application

    Submit your application to Tennessee Board of Nursing with the $140 application fee. [1]

  5. 5

    Receive your license

    Once your application is approved, Tennessee Board of Nursing issues your Licensed Practical Nurse (LPN) for Tennessee.

Fees

Fee Amount
Application fee [1] $140
License fee [1] None specified
Renewal fee [1] $130
NCLEX-PN [2] $200
Re-Examination [1] $90
Endorsement (reciprocity) [1] $140
Reinstatement [1] $100
Verification [1] $25
Biennial State Regulatory Fee (paid with each examination, re-examination, endorsement, renewal, or reinstatement application) [1] $10

Figures per Tennessee Board of Nursing Rule 1000-01-.02 (Fees), as amended effective April 8, 2026 (amendments filed Jan. 8, 2026) — the current official fee schedule at the time of this research. Tennessee does not charge a separate license-issuance fee beyond the Examination fee; the $140.00 Examination fee functions as the new-graduate application/licensure fee. All Board fees are non-refundable.

Renewal & continuing education

Renew every 2 years.

Per Rule 1000-01-.05(1), LPN licenses renew biennially; the due date is the last day of the month in which the licensee's birth date falls, under the Division of Health Related Boards' biennial birth-date renewal system. Per Rule 1000-01-.18(2), LPNs must document TWO items from a 14-item continued-competence list (e.g., a satisfactory employer evaluation, current national certification, or 10 contact hours of continuing education) rather than a single mandatory CE-hour requirement, so no single ceHours figure applies to all licensees.

Reciprocity

Endorsement/reciprocity from another state is available. Participates in: Nurse Licensure Compact (NLC).

Tennessee implemented the NLC on Jan. 19, 2018, confirmed on the compact commission's official member-jurisdiction list (NurseCompact.com / NCSBN NLC map, revised Sept. 6, 2023, retrieved 2026-07-10). Applicants who do not hold an NLC multistate license from a compact state may still apply for a Tennessee license by endorsement under Rule 1000-01-.04.

22 state-approved training providers in Tennessee — browse programs and compare schools on tradecolleges.org.

Cost calculator

  • $140
  • $200
Total$340

Frequently asked questions

What exam do I need to pass to become an LPN in Tennessee?

You must pass the NCLEX-PN. Tennessee's own Board application (Examination) fee is $140.00, and applicants may also owe a separate $200 NCLEX registration fee paid directly to Pearson VUE/NCSBN.

How many clinical hours does a Tennessee LPN program require?

Board rules require at least 430 clinical contact hours across four required categories: Medical-Surgical Nursing (325 hours), Maternal and Infant Care (35 hours), Pediatric Nursing (35 hours), and Behavioral/Mental Health Nursing (35 hours). For public institutions, total program length must be at least 1,296 contact hours (or equivalent credit hours).

How often do LPN licenses need to be renewed in Tennessee?

LPN licenses renew every two years, due on the last day of the licensee's birth month. The renewal fee is $130.00, plus a $10.00 biennial state regulatory fee.

Does Tennessee participate in the Nurse Licensure Compact (NLC)?

Yes. Tennessee has been an implemented NLC member since January 19, 2018, so nurses holding an NLC multistate license from another compact state may practice in Tennessee without obtaining an additional license.

What continuing education is required to renew a Tennessee LPN license?

Tennessee does not require a fixed number of CE hours for every renewal. Instead, LPNs must document TWO items from a Board-approved list of 14 continued-competence options, one of which is 10 contact hours of continuing education per renewal period; other options include a satisfactory employer evaluation or current national certification.

Sources

  1. [1] publications.tnsosfiles.com/rules/1000/1000-01.20260408.pdf — accessed 2026-07-10
  2. [2] nclex.com/fees-payment.page — accessed 2026-07-10