Tennessee Nurse License Lookup, Renewal and LARS Action Guide
Tennessee nursing-license tasks are split between the Tennessee Board of Nursing, the Health Related Boards license verification system, the LARS public online services portal, Nursys, continuing competence rules, complaint filing, discipline records and compact-license guidance.
This 2026 guide gives RNs, LPNs, APRNs, RNFAs, endorsement applicants, employers, travel nurses, students and patients a practical path. You will learn where to verify a Tennessee nursing license, how to renew online, when to use Nursys, how to read license status, how continuing competence works, how to check complaints/discipline, and which official links to use before paying or uploading documents.
Tennessee Board of Nursing Quick Official Routes
The Tennessee Board of Nursing regulates licensure, education and practice for practical nurses, registered nurses, advanced practice registered nurses and registered nurse first assistants. Use the right official system for the right task.
License Verification
Use Tennessee Health Related Boards Licensure Verification for official primary-source state lookup. Results may show discipline, practitioner profile or abuse data when applicable.
Renewal and Reinstatement
Use LARS Public Online Services for online renewal, reinstatement applications and license account tasks. Renewal can be submitted online up to 60 days before expiration.
Continuing Competence
Tennessee uses continuing competence rules. Keep documentation for four years and submit it only if requested during an audit.
Complaints and Discipline
Use official complaint filing routes and review monthly disciplinary actions or license lookup results when discipline or patient safety matters.
Where to Go First for Tennessee Nursing License Tasks
This table saves users from the most common mistake: using Nursys for renewal, LARS for public verification, or a private website for something Tennessee already provides.
| Task | Official Link | What It Does | Practical Tip |
|---|---|---|---|
| Verify a Tennessee nursing license | TN Licensure Verification | Official primary-source verification for Tennessee Health Related Boards. | Use license number when possible. Check discipline/profile data if shown. |
| Renew a nursing license | LARS Public Online Services | Handles license renewal, reinstatement and licensing applications. | Renew online up to 60 days before expiration if eligible. |
| Open the Tennessee BON page | Tennessee Board of Nursing | Main official page for applications, renewal, complaints, CE, meetings, rules and contact details. | Use this page when unsure which official route applies. |
| Verify for endorsement | Nursys | Nursys Licensure Verification is used for participating states; Tennessee BON points endorsement users there. | Nursys endorsement verification has a fee per license type per board. |
| Change address | LARS Login | Tennessee BON tells users to log in to update address. | Keep address current because renewal notices are mailed to the address on file. |
| File complaint | Tennessee BON Complaint Route | Provides online complaint filing and Office of Investigations phone support. | Use official complaint routes only. Do not upload patient data to random websites. |
How to Verify a Tennessee Nursing License Step by Step
Verification should be exact. Do not rely on screenshots, social posts or old employer files when license status affects patient safety, employment, travel assignments or legal practice authority.
Open the official Tennessee licensure verification page
Start with Tennessee Health Related Boards Licensure Verification. Tennessee states this is the official licensure verification site for the Health Related Boards.
Search by license number when available
License number search reduces wrong-name matches. If you only have a name, enter first and last name carefully and compare profession, city, license type and status.
Check the profession and credential type
Confirm whether the result is for RN, LPN, APRN, RNFA, temporary permit or another health-related board credential. Do not treat every nursing-related result as the same authority.
Review status, expiration and public data
The verification page may present disciplinary practitioner profile or abuse data when applicable. Read the full result before relying on the license.
Use Nursys when national verification is needed
For endorsement, employer monitoring or multi-state verification, use Nursys. Tennessee BON states Nursys is a primary-source equivalent for nursing licensure status and discipline in other states.
How to Read Tennessee Nursing License Search Results
A result is useful only if you read the full record. Employers and recruiters should not stop after seeing the nurse’s name.
| Field | What to Check | Common Mistake | Better Action |
|---|---|---|---|
| Profession | RN, LPN, APRN, RNFA or another regulated health credential. | Assuming APRN authority is proven by an RN license alone. | Verify each credential needed for the role. |
| License status | Active, expired, inactive, suspended, revoked, restricted or other status language. | Letting a nurse work on an expired license. | Check active status before practice begins. |
| Expiration date | Whether renewal has posted and whether the credential remains current. | Assuming renewal is complete because payment was submitted. | Verify again after renewal processing. |
| Discipline/profile data | Disciplinary practitioner profile, abuse registry or monthly disciplinary action links when applicable. | Only checking status and ignoring disciplinary data. | Review public discipline resources for credentialing or patient-safety decisions. |
| Temporary permit | Temporary permits may not have license numbers or issue dates. | Searching temporary permit holders by license number. | Use first and last name when searching temporary permit holders. |
Tennessee Nursing License Renewal Through LARS
Tennessee nurses renew every two years. Renewal notices are mailed 45 days before expiration to the address on file, but nurses remain responsible for renewing on time and keeping contact information current.
Check your expiration date first
Open Tennessee Licensure Verification and confirm your license status and expiration before renewal season.
Start up to 60 days before expiration
Tennessee BON states licenses may be renewed online up to 60 days before expiration. Do not wait until the last day because practicing on an expired license violates Tennessee law and board rules.
Log in to LARS
Open LARS Public Online Services or the LARS login page and access your license account.
Complete continuing competence before submission
Review Tennessee’s continuing competence expectations and keep documentation. Tennessee audits continuing competence monthly and says documents should not be submitted unless requested.
Update address and profile details
Use LARS to keep your address current. If you are moving into or out of Tennessee, review the Declaration of Primary State of Residence form and compact rules before renewal or practice changes.
Submit and verify afterward
After submission, save your receipt and re-check your license status through Tennessee Licensure Verification.
Tennessee Nursing Continuing Competence Requirements
Tennessee does not treat renewal as a simple payment-only task. Nurses must maintain evidence of continuing competence. The Board says audits are conducted each month and documentation should be retained for four years from the end of the calendar year in which the course was completed.
Check Board Requirements
Use the official Tennessee Board of Nursing page and the continuing education/competence resources linked there before choosing activities.
Keep Proof for Four Years
Save certificates, employer evaluations, national certification proof, education records or other approved evidence. Do not wait for an audit to organize documents.
Submit Only If Requested
The Board says not to submit continuing competence documentation unless requested during an audit. Keep your records ready but do not mail documents randomly.
LARS Portal Problems and Fixes
Most Tennessee renewal delays come from old contact details, wrong login information, browser/payment errors, late renewal, unreported disclosure issues or incomplete supporting documents.
Login or Password Problem
Start from the official LARS portal. Do not send usernames, passwords, SSN or payment details through unofficial support forms.
Address Change Needed
Tennessee BON tells users to log in to LARS to change address. This matters because renewal notices are mailed to the current address on file.
Renewal Did Not Post
Check LARS messages, payment status and the official verification page. If the result still does not update, contact Health Licensure or the Board using official phone/email details.
Nursys, QuickConfirm and e-Notify for Tennessee Nurses
Nursys is useful for national verification, employer monitoring, endorsement verification and discipline-status checks. It does not replace Tennessee renewal through LARS.
QuickConfirm
Use Nursys QuickConfirm to look up licensure and discipline status from participating boards.
e-Notify
NCSBN says e-Notify provides automatic notifications about license status, expiration, renewal or public discipline alerts.
Endorsement Verification
Tennessee BON directs endorsement verification users to Nursys. NCSBN states verification is available immediately to the endorsing board after completion.
Tennessee Compact / Primary State of Residence Checks
Tennessee participates in Nurse Licensure Compact workflows, but compact privilege must be verified. A nurse moving into or out of Tennessee should pay close attention to primary state of residence rules.
| Question | Where to Check | What to Watch |
|---|---|---|
| Does the nurse hold a Tennessee license? | Tennessee Licensure Verification | Confirm license type, status, expiration and discipline/profile data. |
| Is multistate privilege active? | Nursys and official NLC guidance | Primary state of residence, active status and discipline can affect privilege. |
| Are you moving states? | Declaration of Primary State of Residence form | Tennessee BON tells users moving into or out of Tennessee to complete and submit the declaration form. |
| Do you need endorsement? | LARS, Nursys and Tennessee BON application instructions | Compact privilege does not always replace application requirements for residence changes. |
Tennessee Nursing License by Endorsement
Endorsement is for nurses licensed elsewhere who need Tennessee authority. Tennessee’s Board page directs RN/LPN endorsement verification users to Nursys when available and provides a separate request for states not participating in Nursys verification.
Start from Tennessee BON applications
Open the official Tennessee Board of Nursing page and review RN/LPN endorsement application instructions before submitting anything.
Use LARS for application management
Open LARS Public Online Services to start or manage licensure application tasks.
Complete license verification through Nursys
Go to Nursys and use Nursys Licensure Verification if your original/current board participates.
Use Tennessee’s non-Nursys form when needed
If a state does not participate in Nursys Licensure Verification, use Tennessee’s official endorsement verification request form linked from the Board page.
Complete background-check steps early
Tennessee notes that out-of-state applicants may receive results quicker if fingerprints are electronically scanned when they are in Tennessee during the application process.
Tennessee Licensure by Examination
New nursing graduates should use Tennessee’s official RN/LPN exam application instructions and LARS application routes, not old school handouts or private NCLEX pages.
Use Board Instructions
Use the RN/LPN exam application instructions linked from the official Tennessee Board of Nursing page.
Apply Through LARS
Use LARS for official licensure applications and status-related online services.
Track Missing Items
Follow instructions carefully for the quickest processing. Missing transcripts, background results, fees or documents can delay approval.
Tennessee APRN Certificate and Prescribing Notes
APRN authority in Tennessee is separate from basic RN license status. The Board is authorized to issue APRN certificates with or without certificate to prescribe in specific roles.
Verify RN and APRN Separately
Do not assume active RN status proves APRN authority. Verify the RN license, APRN certificate, role and any prescribing-related authority needed for the job.
Use APRN Application Instructions
The Tennessee BON page links APRN application instructions, APRN renewal/reinstatement resources, and APRN notice/formulary forms.
Supervision / Collaboration
For supervisory or collaborative physician changes, use the official APRN resources and forms linked from the Tennessee Board page.
Tennessee Board of Nursing Complaints, Discipline and Public Protection
The Division of Health Related Boards investigates alleged violations and disciplines licensees found guilty of violations. License lookup may show discipline/profile data, and Tennessee also provides complaint filing routes.
File an Online Complaint
Use the official complaint filing link on the Tennessee Board of Nursing page.
Office of Investigations
Tennessee BON lists 800-852-2187 for speaking with someone in the Office of Investigations about complaints.
Disciplinary Actions
Use the Tennessee licensure lookup and monthly disciplinary action resources to review public discipline where applicable.
Tennessee Nursing License Scam and Fake Investigator Safety
Tennessee has an official licensure scam alert. Fraudulent callers may pretend to be from licensing boards, threaten arrest or suspension, demand personal information, request payment of fines or send fake suspension letters.
Do Not Pay Threat Callers
Health-related board investigators will not demand SSN, date of birth, bank details or credit-card numbers over the phone.
Verify Investigator Identity
Tennessee’s scam alert says to verify a TN board investigator by calling (615) 741-8485 or emailing OIV.Complaints@tn.gov.
Report Fraud
If you receive a fraudulent communication, follow Tennessee’s scam-alert instructions and report it through the official recommended law-enforcement channels.
Official NCSBN Video: Nursys QuickConfirm License Verification
Nursys QuickConfirm is directly useful for Tennessee nursing-license checks because Tennessee BON designates Nursys as a primary-source equivalent for nursing licensure status and discipline in other states. This official NCSBN video explains how QuickConfirm supports licensure and applicable discipline verification.
Video source: NCSBN. Use LARS for Tennessee renewal/reinstatement. Use Tennessee Licensure Verification for state lookup. Use Nursys for QuickConfirm, e-Notify and endorsement verification.
Tennessee Board of Nursing Contact and Office Details
Use official contact routes after checking LARS, licensure verification, renewal requirements, continuing competence resources, complaint links and FAQs.
Office Address
Tennessee Board of Nursing
665 Mainstream Drive, 2nd Floor
Nashville, TN 37243
Board email listed on the official page:
Nursing.Health@tn.gov
Use this only for appropriate board communication, not password sharing.
Phone
Local: 615-532-5166
Nationwide: 1-800-778-4123
Office of Investigations: 800-852-2187
Official Tennessee Board of Nursing Links
Use these official links first. This section is designed to prevent wrong clicks, paid lookalike renewals, old PDF confusion and unofficial verification pages.
Tennessee Board of Nursing FAQ
How do I verify a Tennessee nursing license?
Use the official Tennessee Health Related Boards Licensure Verification system. Search by license number when possible, then confirm profession, status, expiration and any disciplinary or practitioner-profile data shown.
Where do I renew my Tennessee nursing license?
Renew through Tennessee LARS Public Online Services. Tennessee BON says licenses may be renewed online up to 60 days before expiration.
How often do Tennessee nurses renew their licenses?
Tennessee BON states that once licensed, nurses renew their licenses every two years. Renewal notices are mailed 45 days before expiration to the current address on file.
Can I practice on an expired Tennessee nursing license?
No. Tennessee BON says it is a violation of law and board rules to practice on an expired license.
Does Tennessee use Nursys?
Yes. Tennessee BON directs RN/LPN endorsement verification users to Nursys and states that Nursys is a primary-source equivalent for nursing licensure status and discipline in other states.
Can I renew a Tennessee nursing license through Nursys?
No. Nursys is for verification, e-Notify and endorsement-related services. Tennessee renewal and reinstatement tasks are handled through LARS.
What are Tennessee continuing competence requirements?
Tennessee uses continuing competence rules for nurses. The Board says audits are conducted each month and documentation should be retained for four years from the end of the calendar year in which a course is completed.
How do I change my Tennessee nursing license address?
Tennessee BON instructs users to log in to LARS to change address. Keeping your address current matters because renewal notices are sent to the address on file.
How do I file a complaint against a Tennessee nurse?
Use the official complaint link on the Tennessee Board of Nursing page or call the Office of Investigations at 800-852-2187. Do not submit patient records through unofficial complaint websites.
How do I verify a TN board investigator?
Tennessee’s licensure scam alert says to verify a Tennessee board investigator by calling 615-741-8485 or emailing OIV.Complaints@tn.gov.
What is the Tennessee Board of Nursing phone number?
The official Tennessee BON page lists 615-532-5166 local and 1-800-778-4123 nationwide. It also lists Nursing.Health@tn.gov for board email contact.
Is boardofnursings.org the Tennessee Board of Nursing?
No. This page is an independent guide that helps users find official Tennessee Board of Nursing, LARS, Nursys and NCSBN resources. Complete official tasks only through official systems.
Final Take: Best Tennessee BON Workflow for 2026
The safest Tennessee nursing-license workflow is simple: verify through Tennessee Health Related Boards Licensure Verification, renew through LARS, use Nursys for endorsement and national verification, keep continuing competence documentation for four years, and use official Tennessee complaint and scam-reporting routes when public protection issues arise.
Do not rely on private renewal pages, screenshots, fake investigator calls, social media advice or paid lookalike portals when licensure affects employment, patient safety or legal practice authority. Use the official links above, save confirmation details, keep your address current, and verify your updated license status after any renewal or reinstatement.