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
Accepted English Language Proficiency Test and Passing Exam Scores:
- TOEFL Internet Based Test: Passing Score: 83; Speaking score: 26
- IELTS Academic: Overall Score: 6.5; Speaking Score: 7.0
Notes
Applicants educated in the following English exempt countries Australia, Barbados, Canada (expect Quebec), Ireland, Jamaica, New Zealand, South Africa, Trinidad/Tobago, United Kingdom, United States (expect 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
Exams scores are required to be submitted to CGFNS for CES
Accepted English Language Proficiency Test and Passing Exam Scores:
- TOEFL Internet Based Test: Passing Score: 83; Speaking score: 26
- IELTS Academic Overall Score: 6.5; Speaking Score: 7.0
Notes
Applicants educated in the following English exempt countries Australia, Barbados, Canada (expect Quebec), Ireland, Jamaica, New Zealand, South Africa, Trinidad/Tobago, United Kingdom, United States (expect Puerto Rico)
Licensed Practical Nurse - Initial Licensure
Service(s) Required
English Language Proficiency Exam Results
Exam scores are required to be submitted to CGFNS for CES
Accepted English Language Proficiency Test and Passing Exam Scores:
- TOEFL Internet Based Test: Passing Score: 83; Speaking score: 26
- IELTS Academic: 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
Exam scores are required to be submitted to CGFNS for CES
Accepted English Language Proficiency Test and Passing Exam Scores:
- TOEFL Internet Based Test: Passing Score: 83; Speaking score: 26
- IELTS Academic: Overall Score: 6.0; Speaking Score: 7.0
Notes
Applicants educated in the following English exempt countries Australia, Barbados, Canada (expect Quebec), Ireland, Jamaica, New Zealand, South Africa, Trinidad/Tobago, United Kingdom, United States (expect Puerto Rico)