Tennessee RN and LPN Continuing Competency
Tennessee RNs and LPNs must demonstrate continuing competence during each two-year renewal period. Rather than requiring every nurse to complete a fixed number of CE hours, Tennessee allows nurses to satisfy the requirement by maintaining evidence of two qualifying competency activities.
One of those options is completing 10 contact hours of continuing education or in-service education applicable to nursing practice. Other accepted activities include employer or peer evaluations, national certification, professional goals, nursing volunteer service, qualifying academic coursework, refresher programs, and other Board-recognized activities.
Tennessee Nursing Continuing Competency Requirements at a Glance
| Registered Nurse (RN) | Licensed Practical Nurse (LPN) | |
|---|---|---|
| General CE Requirement | No fixed CE requirement | No fixed CE requirement |
| CE Option | 10 contact hours counts as one competency activity | 10 contact hours counts as one competency activity |
| Total Competency Activities | 2 | 2 |
| Renewal Period | Every 2 years | Every 2 years |
| Other Accepted Activities | Employer/peer evaluation, certification, professional goals, volunteer service, academic coursework, refresher programs | Employer/peer evaluation, certification, professional goals, volunteer service, academic coursework, refresher programs |
| Governing Body | Tennessee Board of Nursing | Tennessee Board of Nursing |
Tennessee RN and LPN Continuing Education — 10 Contact Hours
RNs and LPNs may use 10 contact hours of nursing-related continuing education as one of the two activities required to demonstrate continuing competence. Because a nurse must document two qualifying activities, completing 10 hours of CE alone does not satisfy the entire Tennessee continuing competency requirement.
Tennessee RN and LPN Continuing Education — 10 Contact Hours
C-E-U.com offers self-paced online nursing continuing education that can support Tennessee RNs and LPNs who choose continuing education as one of their competency activities. Courses provide documented contact hours and completion certificates for the nurse’s records.
Tennessee nurses should retain evidence of their continuing competency activities for four years. Documentation does not ordinarily need to be submitted with renewal but must be provided if requested by the Board during an audit.
Alternative Continuing Competency Activities
Tennessee provides considerable flexibility in how RNs and LPNs demonstrate ongoing competence. In addition to the 10-hour continuing education option, qualifying activities can include satisfactory employer or peer evaluations, current national certification, documented professional-development goals, volunteer nursing service, qualifying nursing coursework, Board-approved refresher or orientation programs, and other activities recognized by the Board.
Tennessee Nursing Continuing Competency Resources
Tennessee Board of Nursing — Official source for Tennessee RN and LPN licensure, renewal, rules, and Board guidance.
Tennessee Continuing Competency Requirements — Official Board guidance explaining the two-activity competency requirement and the 10-contact-hour CE option.
Tennessee Nurse Licensure Renewal — Renewal, reinstatement, endorsement, and other nursing application information.
Tennessee Board of Nursing Rules and Regulations — Official Tennessee administrative rules governing nursing licensure and practice.
Tennessee Nurse Practice Act — Tennessee statutes governing the practice and regulation of nursing.
Tennessee Health Professional License Verification — Online verification for Tennessee healthcare professional licenses.
Frequently Asked Questions: Tennessee Nursing Continuing Competency
Tennessee does not require a fixed number of CE hours for every nurse. RNs and LPNs must complete two qualifying continuing competency activities during each two-year renewal period.
Yes. Completing 10 contact hours of nursing-related continuing education can count as one of the two required competency activities.
Yes. Qualifying C-E-U.com nursing courses can support the 10-hour continuing education option.
No. The 10 hours count as one competency activity. A second qualifying activity is also required.
No. Tennessee does not require routine RN or LPN CE reporting through CE Broker.
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Complete online continuing education and training at your own pace. Access practical courses, downloadable certificates, and eligible CE Broker reporting for one year.