Licensed Practical Nurse (LPN) / Tennessee
2026 data Tennessee board official source

Tennessee Licensed Practical Nurse (LPN) License Requirements

Compiled from official public sources by the publisher.

State-board requirements, fees, and renewal cycle drawn from official regulator records.

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Provides basic patient care under supervision. Requires NCLEX-PN exam.

What the Tennessee data shows for Licensed Practical Nurse (LPN)s

Tennessee's path to licensed practical nurse (lpn) licensure runs through 1,189 hours of approved instruction and a passing score on NCLEX-PN, plus a criminal history screening before applicants younger than 18 can be licensed. Tennessee folds the credential into its broader occupational licensing statute, which classifies the training track as "Diploma or Associate Degree".

Upfront cost is $122, with renewal running $88 on a 2-year cycle. Maintaining the license requires 24 hours of continuing education per 2-year cycle, an ongoing cost applicants often underestimate when budgeting the career.

Reciprocity for this profession works like this: NLC Compact: 41 states allow multistate practice.

Licensing Ease Score

C
Licensing Ease Score
56/100
Licensed Practical Nurse (LPN) · Tennessee

A higher score means this specific license is LESS burdensome to obtain and maintain here than the national requirement corpus, based on education hours, fees, continuing education, and experience requirements, not an overall judgment of the profession or the state.

Education & Training D
1,189 hours
Documented education/training hours required
Initial Fee D
$122
One-time application/license fee
Renewal Burden C+
$44/yr
$88 every 2 years
Continuing Education C-
12.0 hrs/yr
24 hours every 2 years
Experience Required A+
None required
Supervised work experience required before licensure

Licensing Requirements in Tennessee

Education / Training Hours
Diploma or Associate Degree
1,189 hours
Exam Requirement
NCLEX-PN
Required
Initial License Fee
$122
Renewal Fee
$88
Renewal Cycle
Every 2 years
Continuing Education
24 hrs/cycle
Criminal History Check
Required
Minimum Age
18 years

Compare & Explore

Compare all states for Licensed Practical Nurse (LPN) All Tennessee licenses
Data sources: NCSL Occupational Licensing Database, Institute for Justice, state licensing boards. Verify current requirements with Tennessee licensing authorities before making career decisions.

Frequently Asked Questions

What license do I need for Licensed Practical Nurse (LPN) in Tennessee? ▼
Tennessee's requirements cover 1189 hours of education or training, the NCLEX-PN exam, and an initial fee of $122. Applicants also go through a criminal background check.
How do I get certified as a Licensed Practical Nurse (LPN) in Tennessee? ▼
Certification as a licensed practical nurse (lpn) in Tennessee means clearing the state's checklist: 1189 hours of education, and a passing exam score. The Tennessee licensing board can confirm the current details.
Can I transfer my Licensed Practical Nurse (LPN) license to Tennessee from another state? ▼
Here's how reciprocity typically plays out for licensed practical nurse (lpn)s: NLC Compact: 41 states allow multistate practice. Many occupations are additionally covered by interstate licensing compacts that ease cross-state moves. Check with the Tennessee licensing board for how this applies to you.
Does Tennessee require a background check for Licensed Practical Nurse (LPN) licensing? ▼
Tennessee does require a background check before issuing a licensed practical nurse (lpn) license. What counts as disqualifying, and how it's reviewed, is up to the state licensing board.
What are the continuing education requirements for Licensed Practical Nurse (LPN) in Tennessee? ▼
To stay licensed as a licensed practical nurse (lpn) in Tennessee, plan on 24 hours of continuing education per 2-year renewal cycle; renewal itself runs $88.

Related Guides

What to do with this licensed practical nurse (lpn) license

Licensed Practical Nurse (LPN) in Tennessee, with a documented reciprocity path, is one requirement row in a licensed practical nurse (lpn)-wide, 50-state comparison.

Requirements shown are compiled from NCSL and Institute for Justice research; verify current rules with the Tennessee licensing board before making career decisions.

Source: NCSL Occupational Licensing Database, Institute for Justice License to Work (3rd Ed.), state licensing board websites

According to the National Conference of State Legislatures and the Institute for Justice, the August 2026 PlainCredential comparison corpus maps 4,947 state licensing requirement records; see the methodology.

Read our methodology - how this data is sourced, computed, and verified.