The Tennessee State Board of Nursing licenses registered nurses and practical nurses. Tennessee is a Nurse Licensure Compact (Compact) state, meaning that nurses licensed by another Compact state do not need to apply for licensure unless they plan to make Tennessee their primary state of residency.
Select license type you’re applying for:
Registered Nurse - Initial Licensure
Service(s) Required
English Language Proficiency Exam Results
Exam scores not required to be resubmitted to CGFNS for CP Verification Letter
Exams scores are required to be submitted to CGFNS for CES if your program was not taught in an **English exempt country
Accepted English Language Proficiency Test and Passing Exam Scores:
- TOEFL Internet Based Test: Passing Score: 83; Speaking score: 26
- IELTS: Overall Score: 6.5; Speaking Score: 7.0
Notes
*Certification Program Evaluation Letter (CP) required for applicants from non-English speaking countries, including Puerto Rican and Canadian (excluding Quebecois) applicants
**CES ONLY for applicants educated in the following English exempt countries Australia, Barbados, Canada (except Quebec), Ireland, Jamaica, New Zealand, South Africa, Trinidad/Tobago, United Kingdom, United States (except Puerto Rico)
Registered Nurse - Endorsement
Service(s) Required
English Language Proficiency Exam Results
Exam scores not required to be resubmitted to CGFNS for CP Verification Letter
Exam scores are not required to be submitted to CGFNS for CES.
Notes
Licensed Practical Nurse - Initial Licensure
Service(s) Required
English Language Proficiency Exam Results
Exams scores are required to be submitted to CGFNS for CES if your program was not taught in *English
Accepted English Language Proficiency Test and Passing Exam Scores:
- TOEFL Internet Based Test: Passing Score: 83; Speaking score: 26
- IELTS: Overall Score: 6.0; Speaking Score: 7.0
Notes
*Applicants are English Exempt if they were educated in Australia, Barbados, Canada (except Quebec), Ireland, Jamaica, New Zealand, South Africa, Trinidad/Tobago, United Kingdom, United States (except Puerto Rico)
Licensed Practical Nurse - Endorsement
Service(s) Required
English Language Proficiency Exam Results
Exams scores may be required to be submitted to CGFNS if your program was taught in **English
Notes
*May be required by Board of Nursing
**Applicants are English Exempt if they were educated in Australia, Barbados, Canada (except Quebec), Ireland, Jamaica, New Zealand, South Africa, Trinidad/Tobago, United Kingdom, United States (except Puerto Rico)
