Tennessee Nurse Aide Registry

First Time CNA License Requirements in Tennessee

First time CNA license requirements in the state of Tennessee are as follows:

• Completion of a state-approved CNA program lasting seventy five (75) hours.
• Achieving a qualifying score for both the skill test and written/oral test of the competency evaluation.

Once the candidate is able to successfully pass and complete the aforementioned prerequisites, he/she will be issued a certification card along with having his/her name registered in the nurse aide registry. Please refer to the Headmaster candidate handbook for further details.

Useful Links:

• Testing and registry application
• Approved CNA programs
• Candidate handbook
• Nursing aides programs information
• CNA testing checklist

Alternative Certification Routes

Candidates that have yet to participate in the required instruction are still eligible in becoming CNAs if they take and pass the competency exam. They are:

• Military-trained individuals
• Professionals licensed from other nations
• Nursing students

Please note that approval for such individuals for testing may be granted on a case-by-case basis only.

• Testing and registry application
• Challenging information
• Nationwide Directory of Nurse Aide Registries

 

CNA License Verification in Tennessee

Applicants seeking to work as nurse aides in the state of Tennessee can have their license verified by visiting the link https://apps.health.tn.gov/Licensure/. Bear in mind that agencies can no longer complete manual paper verification starting May 2019.

 

Nurse Aide License Renewal in Tennessee

Nurse aides in the state of Tennessee will need to perform at least 8 hours of consecutive compensated work in a nurse-related capacity during the latest certification period in order maintain an active status within the nurse registry. However, work performed within a private duty, doctors’ offices, or as companion or sitter setting will not be considered for renewal.

Employment verification form

 

Reinstatement of a Lapsed CNA License in Tennessee

A nurse aide whose certificate has expired for more than two (2) years will be ineligible for renewal. Failure to perform a minimum of 8 consecutive hours of compensated nurse-related service within the last 2-year certification period are also not eligible for renewal. Within the aforementioned scenarios, candidates are required to retrain and retake a competency test in order to have their status changed to active within the nurse registry.

TN Nurse Aide Registry

 

Out-of-State Certification Transfer to Tennessee

CNA transferees from other states are deemed eligible to work in the state of Tennessee provided that their latest certification is active and in good standing.

• Out-of-state registration form
• Testing and registry application
• TN Nurse Aide Registry

 

If you have additional questions, you may contact the Tennessee Nurse Aide Registry at:

Tennessee Nurse Aide Registry
Tennessee Department of Health
665 Mainstream Drive, 2^nd Floor, Nashville, TN 37243
Phone: (615) 532-5171
Fax: (615) 248-3601

Or the Automated Phone Response System
1-800-778-4504 Nationwide Toll Free
Available 24 hours a day, seven days per week