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How to renew a nursing license in Tennessee

Renewing a nursing license in Tennessee goes through the state board. Here is how it works, where to check your expiration, and what it means for compact privilege.

How do I renew a nursing license in Tennessee?

You renew through the Tennessee Board of Nursing, and Nursys shows your expiration date. Because Tennessee is a compact state, what matters is whether your license is single-state or multistate: renewing a multistate Tennessee license keeps your compact privilege active across every compact state, while a single-state Tennessee license renews for Tennessee only. You renew where you hold the license — your primary state of residence.

Last reviewed 2026-06-17

Renewing through the Tennessee Board of Nursing

Renewal applications, fees, and continuing-education requirements are handled by the Tennessee Board of Nursing. These are board-set and change over time, so we point you to the official source rather than list figures that could go stale. See the general compact license renewal guide for how the compact fits in.

The law that governs this in Tennessee

Renewing a license issued by Tennessee happens under Tennessee’s own nurse practice act — the same act that defines what practice means here — administered by the Tennessee Board of Nursing. That act is T.C.A. tit. 63, ch. 7 (Nursing); RNs at §§ 63-7-103, -104, LPNs at §§ 63-7-108, -109.

Tennessee has adopted the compact, but we have not confirmed which section of its code carries it, so we do not cite one — several states replaced an earlier compact and the superseded sections still circulate. The practice act above is the citation we have read.

Finding your expiration date

Nursys QuickConfirm shows your license type, status, and expiration date — the fastest way to confirm when you need to renew and whether you hold a single-state or multistate license.

Renewal and your compact privilege

If you hold a multistate Tennessee license, keeping it renewed and in good standing is what keeps your compact privilege active in other states. Let it lapse and the privilege lapses with it. You renew only in your primary state of residence, not in every state you practice.

Can renewing in Tennessee get you a multistate license?

Yes — if Tennessee is genuinely your primary state of residence and you meet the compact’s uniform licensure requirements. The Tennessee Board of Nursing has issued multistate licenses since January 19, 2018. If your Tennessee license was issued before that date it was single-state when granted, so renewal is the natural moment to ask about upgrading — it does not convert on its own.

What usually comes next

Next-step checklist

  • Check your expiration date and license type on Nursys (nursys.com).
  • Open the Tennessee Board of Nursing renewal page for current requirements and fees.
  • Complete any continuing education the board requires (verify hours on the board site).
  • If your license is multistate, renew it in your home state to keep compact privilege active.

Frequently asked questions

Renewal cycles are set by the Tennessee Board of Nursing (many boards use a two-year cycle, but it varies). Nursys QuickConfirm shows your exact expiration date. We do not store or look up individual records.