Direct answer
Tennessee endorsement is handled through Tennessee LARS. Because a separate direct endorsement URL is not recorded, start from that reviewed authority route and choose the exact LPN, RN, APRN application type.
Tennessee factual snapshot for this workflow
| Reviewed item | Jurisdiction-specific detail |
|---|---|
| Authority | Tennessee Board of Nursing |
| Public verification | Tennessee Department of Health Licensure Verification |
| Renewal cycle | Biennial |
| Renewal deadline | Renew by the expiration date shown for the individual license. |
| Continuing competence | RN and LPN licensees must maintain evidence of two approved continued-competence activities during the renewal cycle. One listed option is 10 continuing-education contact hours. |
| Fees | The Board lists RN/LPN renewal at $140 after the April 2026 fee update. Confirm the current amount in LARS. |
| Compact status | Compact jurisdiction |
| Credentials | LPN, RN, APRN |
| Phone | (615) 532-5166 |
| Physical location | 665 Mainstream Drive, 2nd Floor, Nashville, TN 37243 |
For Tennessee, 4 primary official source records and 8 labeled official destinations support this jurisdiction guide. Source verification dates are shown separately from editorial release dates.
Endorsement route
Tennessee endorsement is handled through Tennessee LARS. Because a separate direct endorsement URL is not recorded, start from that reviewed authority route and choose the exact LPN, RN, APRN application type.
How the existing license is verified
Follow the current verification instructions shown by Tennessee Board of Nursing; compare the request with Tennessee Department of Health Licensure Verification and the destination application before paying for verification.
For endorsement involving Tennessee, follow Tennessee Board of Nursing instructions for Nursys or direct verification. The receiving jurisdiction decides which verification it accepts.
Application sequence
- Open the LARS endorsement application.
- Submit the application and current fee.
- Arrange verification of existing licenses.
- Complete criminal background and eligibility requirements.
- Confirm single-state or multistate issuance before practice.
Complete application checklist
- Choose the correct Tennessee pathway: examination, endorsement, renewal, reinstatement, temporary permit or credential conversion.
- Create or use the account named by Tennessee Board of Nursing; do not submit the same application through multiple portals.
- For Tennessee, match the legal name across the application, identification, education records, background check and license verification.
- Follow the Tennessee instructions for transcripts, Nursys or other verification, fingerprints, citizenship or presence documents and fees.
- Review the current fee displayed by the Tennessee authority before payment: The Board lists RN/LPN renewal at $140 after the April 2026 fee update. Confirm the current amount in LARS.
- For Tennessee, save application confirmations and respond to deficiency or secure-message requests through the official account.
- Before practice, verify that the required Tennessee license, permit or multistate authority appears in the current public record.
- Select the exact credential and application type.
- For Tennessee, complete identity, legal-presence and education requirements requested by the authority.
- For Tennessee, arrange official transcript, license verification and background-check items where required.
NCLEX / examination
New graduates seeking Tennessee licensure should apply through Tennessee Board of Nursing, satisfy the jurisdiction’s education and eligibility review, and register for NCLEX through the official NCLEX service. The license is not issued merely because the exam was passed.
Temporary permit
A temporary permit is not available in every jurisdiction. When offered, confirm eligibility, expiration, employer limits and whether the permanent application must already be complete. For Tennessee, do not assume that an application receipt, job offer or out-of-state license creates temporary practice authority; confirm the issued permit or compact privilege in writing.
Reinstatement
Expired, lapsed, inactive or revoked credentials may require a different process from ordinary renewal. Use the status-specific official route and do not practice until authority is restored. A lapsed, inactive, retired, suspended or revoked Tennessee credential can require a different process from ordinary renewal.
Compact check
Compact jurisdiction. Confirm primary state of residence and the issued license designation before relying on compact authority.
Wait until the destination jurisdiction has issued the required license, permit or valid compact practice authority.
Common endorsement delays
Endorsement application is delayed
Confirm that Tennessee Board of Nursing received the correct existing-license verification (Use Nursys for participating jurisdictions or the direct verification route required by Tennessee.), transcripts, identity documents, fingerprints, fee and any credential-specific items.
Verification purchased too early
Follow the destination authority instructions before ordering Nursys or another paid verification so the correct credential and destination receive it.
Compact assumption
Tennessee is recorded as an operational Nurse Licensure Compact jurisdiction in this dataset. Verify that the individual public record is actually designated multistate and that the nurse maintains Tennessee or another qualifying compact state as the primary state of residence. Check the license designation in Nursys and confirm the primary state of residence before cross-state or telehealth practice.
Fraud and privacy safety
- Begin every Tennessee transaction from a reviewed authority domain (www.tn.gov, internet.health.tn.gov, lars.tn.gov) or a source-reviewed link on this guide.
- Do not give a caller payment-card details, a password or a one-time code merely because the caller claims to represent Tennessee Board of Nursing.
- If threatened with immediate suspension or arrest, end the call and verify the issue through (615) 532-5166 or the secure Tennessee account.
- Use Tennessee Licensure Verification to confirm current status rather than a private lookup page or emailed screenshot.
- Upload identity, background, education or legal documents only through a secure method explicitly named by Tennessee Board of Nursing.
- Before paying, verify the credential, transaction and amount against the current Tennessee instructions; save the receipt and then verify the public record.
- For Tennessee, report a suspected licensing impersonation or phishing attempt to the authority and the relevant consumer-protection or law-enforcement channel.
Frequently asked questions
How do I apply for a Tennessee nursing license by endorsement?
Tennessee endorsement is handled through Tennessee LARS. Because a separate direct endorsement URL is not recorded, start from that reviewed authority route and choose the exact LPN, RN, APRN application type.
How is my existing license verified?
Follow the current verification instructions shown by Tennessee Board of Nursing; compare the request with Tennessee Department of Health Licensure Verification and the destination application before paying for verification.
Can I practice after submitting the application?
No. Do not begin practice until the destination authority has issued the required license, permit or valid compact privilege.
Is endorsement the same as transferring a license?
No. The destination jurisdiction evaluates a new application; the original license remains subject to its own rules.
Will I need fingerprints or a background check?
Follow the destination checklist. Many jurisdictions require fingerprints or background checks, but the vendor and method differ.
Should I order Nursys verification automatically?
For endorsement involving Tennessee, follow Tennessee Board of Nursing instructions for Nursys or direct verification. The receiving jurisdiction decides which verification it accepts.
Can I receive a temporary permit?
A temporary permit is not available in every jurisdiction. When offered, confirm eligibility, expiration, employer limits and whether the permanent application must already be complete. For Tennessee, do not assume that an application receipt, job offer or out-of-state license creates temporary practice authority; confirm the issued permit or compact privilege in writing.
What causes endorsement delays?
Confirm that Tennessee Board of Nursing received the correct existing-license verification (Use Nursys for participating jurisdictions or the direct verification route required by Tennessee.), transcripts, identity documents, fingerprints, fee and any credential-specific items.
Source-reviewed official resources
Tennessee LARS ↗
Tennessee LARS is the reviewed Tennessee renewal destination on lars.tn.gov. Confirm the credential, deadline, and amount before submitting payment.
Tennessee Department of Health official Licensure and Regulatory System · July 28, 2026Tennessee Licensure Verification ↗
Primary official source reviewed for this jurisdiction.
Exact primary-source record · July 27, 2026Tennessee Continued Competence Requirements ↗
Primary official source reviewed for this jurisdiction.
Exact primary-source record · July 27, 2026Tennessee LARS ↗
Primary official source reviewed for this jurisdiction.
Exact primary-source record · July 27, 2026Tennessee Board of Nursing ↗
Primary official source reviewed for this jurisdiction.
Exact primary-source record · July 27, 2026Nurse Licensure Compact ↗
National compact resource used with the Tennessee status recorded as Compact jurisdiction; individual eligibility depends on the actual license designation and primary state of residence.
National official source · July 28, 2026NCLEX Official Website ↗
Official NCLEX information for examination candidates applying through Tennessee Board of Nursing; passing the exam does not itself create a Tennessee license.
National official source · July 28, 2026NCSBN License Verification Guidance ↗
National licensing guidance used to interpret verification categories; the local Tennessee source remains Tennessee Department of Health Licensure Verification.
National official source · July 28, 2026Nursys QuickConfirm and e-Notify ↗
National participating-board service used alongside Tennessee Department of Health Licensure Verification for Tennessee; follow Tennessee Board of Nursing instructions for endorsement or monitoring.
National official service · July 28, 2026Official sources reviewed
Tennessee Board of Nursing ↗
Reviewed July 27, 2026
Tennessee Licensure Verification ↗
Reviewed July 27, 2026
Tennessee Continued Competence Requirements ↗
Reviewed July 27, 2026
Tennessee LARS ↗
Reviewed July 27, 2026