CEU Requirements for Tennessee Nurses: What RNs, LPNs, and APRNs Must Know
Tennessee Nursing License Renewal: CEU and Continued Competency Requirements
How Tennessee Nurses Can Meet CEU and License Renewal Standards (2025)
In Tennessee, nurses are expected to engage in continued learning throughout their careers to ensure safe, competent, and up-to-date patient care. While Tennessee does not mandate a fixed number of CEU hours, it does enforce evidence of continued competence through a variety of professional development methods.
📆 License Renewal Cycle
- Every 2 years (biennial)
- Renewal is due based on the licensee’s birthday
- All nurses must meet continued competency requirements to maintain licensure
đź“š CE Requirements by License Type
| License Type | CE Requirement | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| RN & LPN | No specific CEU hour mandate | Must provide proof of continued competence |
| APRN | National certification + 5 contact hours in pharmacology if prescribing | Certification must be maintained through recognized boards (e.g., ANCC, AANP) |
âś… Acceptable Options for Continued Competence
Tennessee nurses must demonstrate continued competence, which can be met through one of the following pathways:
- Copy of National Certification
- Evidence of CE Completion (though not hour-specific)
- Copy of a published nursing-related article
- Evidence of a nursing academic course (2 credit hours or more)
- Verification of five (5) years of nursing practice and a satisfactory employer evaluation
- Participation in a nursing-related research project
- Professional presentations or teaching assignments in nursing
Note: While specific CEU hours are not mandated, choosing board-approved CE activities is strongly recommended to document compliance.
🧾 Documentation & Audits
- All nurses are subject to random audits by the Tennessee Board of Nursing
- Documentation should be kept for at least 4 years
- During audits, nurses must show evidence of their chosen continued competency method (e.g., certificates, transcripts, evaluations)
đź©ą APRN-Specific Requirements
In addition to meeting the RN requirements:
- APRNs with prescriptive authority must complete 5 contact hours in pharmacology within the 2-year renewal period
- Must maintain current national certification
⚠️ Key Considerations
- Tennessee’s approach is competency-based, not strictly hour-based
- If using CE activities to meet the standard, they should be from reputable, accredited providers (e.g., ANCC, AANP, state nursing associations)
- Nurses must self-select the method that best fits their practice and keep thorough records
Does a BLS CPR class qualify for CEU or CME credits?
It depends on your profession and the accrediting organization. In general, Basic Life Support (BLS) CPR classes can qualify for CEU or CME credits, especially if they’re taken through an American Heart Association (AHA)–approved provider.
For example:
- EMS professionals (like EMTs or paramedics) can often receive CE credits through CAPCE (Commission on Accreditation for Prehospital Continuing Education) if the course is properly documented.
- Dental professionals in some states may also be eligible, as BLS is often a required component of continuing education.
- However, some boards, like the California Board of Nursing, do not issue CE credits for BLS courses.
To be sure, it’s best to check with your licensing board or accrediting body. And if you took the course online, you may be able to claim your credits through the AHA’s eLearning portal once you’ve completed all course components.
🔍 Resources
- Tennessee Board of Nursing (Dept. of Health)
- Tennessee Rules of the Board of Nursing – Chapter 1000-01
- Nursing CE Central – TN State Requirements
- CE Broker – Tennessee
đź’ˇ Best Practices for Tennessee Nurses
- Proactively choose recognized CE activities to ensure compliance
- Maintain organized records of professional development for audits
- If unsure, consult with the Tennessee Board of Nursing or professional associations for guidance
