Tennessee Continuing Education Requirements

Registered Nurses and Licensed Practical Nurses Continued Competency:

Maintain evidence of two items from the following list: 

1. Copy of a satisfactory employer evaluation
2. Letter from a peer providing a satisfactory evaluation of your nursing performance
3. Letter from a patient or family member giving evidence of a satisfactory nurse/patient relationship
4. Copy of a contract of renewal or re-appointment to a nursing position
5. Written self-evaluation based on the standards of competence listed in the rules
6. Evidence of current national certification
7. A document that identifies two nursing goals and how you met these goals
8. A letter from the agency where you volunteered as a nurse  
9. Documentation from a school of nursing stating that you participated in the education of nursing students (RNs only)
10. Certificate/evidence of five contact hours of continuing education (for RNs/LPNs who are not practicing, ten contact hours will fulfill the competency requirement)
11. Copy of a published article relevant to nursing written by the licensee  
12. Letter of satisfactory completion of a nursing refresher course
13. Letter of satisfactory completion of a comprehensive nursing orientation program
14. Official transcript (may be student issued) demonstrating two hours of nursing credit
15. Evidence of successfully retaken NCLEX 

APRN With Certificate of Fitness (CF) 

1. Current national certification (NOT state license; example: from ANCC, AANP, NBCRNA)
2. ONE item from the Registered Nurse proof of competence below (in addition to national certification)
3. TWO contact hours of continuing education designed specifically to address controlled substance prescribing practices including the Tennessee Chronic Pain Guidelines
4. Copy of current Collaborative Request/APRN Supervisory Request (formerly Notice and Formulary) if prescribing

1. Current national certification (NOT state license; example: from ANCC, AANP, NBCRNA)
2. ONE item from the Registered Nurse proof of competence below (in addition to national certification) 

1. Copy of a satisfactory employer evaluation
2. Letter from a peer providing a satisfactory evaluation of your nursing performance
3. Letter from a patient or family member giving evidence of a satisfactory nurse/patient relationship
4. Copy of a contract of renewal or re-appointment to a nursing position
5. Written self-evaluation based on the standards of competence listed in the rules
6. Evidence of current national certification
7. A document that identifies two nursing goals and how you met these goals
8. A letter from the agency where you volunteered as a nurse  
9. Documentation from a school of nursing stating that you participated in the education of nursing students (RNs only)
10. Certificate/evidence of five contact hours of continuing education  (for RNs/LPNs who are not practicing, ten contact hours will fulfill the competency requirement)
11.  Copy of a published article relevant to nursing written by the licensee  
12. Letter of satisfactory completion of a nursing refresher course
13. Letter of satisfactory completion of a comprehensive nursing orientation program
14. Official transcript (may be student issued) demonstrating two hours of nursing credit
15. Evidence of successfully retaken NCLEX 

• If a prescriber is identified as a high-risk prescriber, the prescriber must complete 20 CE hours that address the risks, complications, and consequences of opioid addiction.
• APRNs with Certificate of Fitness shall complete TWO contact hours of continuing education designed specifically to address controlled substance prescribing practices including the Tennessee Chronic Pain Guidelines.

• Controlled Substance Prescribing: The Tennessee Chronic Pain Guidelines

Registered Nurses and Licensed Practical Nurses Continued Competency:

Maintain evidence of two items from the following list: 

1. Copy of a satisfactory employer evaluation
2. Letter from a peer providing a satisfactory evaluation of your nursing performance
3. Letter from a patient or family member giving evidence of a satisfactory nurse/patient relationship
4. Copy of a contract of renewal or re-appointment to a nursing position
5. Written self-evaluation based on the standards of competence listed in the rules
6. Evidence of current national certification
7. A document that identifies two nursing goals and how you met these goals
8. A letter from the agency where you volunteered as a nurse  
9. Documentation from a school of nursing stating that you participated in the education of nursing students (RNs only)
10. Certificate/evidence of five contact hours of continuing education (for RNs/LPNs who are not practicing, ten contact hours will fulfill the competency requirement)
11. Copy of a published article relevant to nursing written by the licensee  
12. Letter of satisfactory completion of a nursing refresher course
13. Letter of satisfactory completion of a comprehensive nursing orientation program
14. Official transcript (may be student issued) demonstrating two hours of nursing credit
15. Evidence of successfully retaken NCLEX 

All licensed physical therapists and assistants are required to obtain 30 hours of credits for the 24 months that precede their licensure renewal month. 

• Four (4) of the required hours must consist of ethics and jurisprudence courses which are a minimum of two (2) hours each in duration and must be Category 1 continuing competence.

CEUfast is not currently approved to provide CEUs to Tennessee PTs and PTAs

NOTICE: Significant administrative rule revisions from the Tennessee Board of Physical Therapy went into effect on December 29, 2025. These updates impact CEU content, submission requirements, and provider responsibilities.

Notably, Tennessee will no longer accept courses approved by other state associations or boards. Please stay tuned for further updates as we work to be able to offer courses to TN physical therapists and Physical Therapy Assistants once again" 

• jurisprudence exam

All licensed physical therapists and assistants are required to obtain 30 hours of credits for the 24 months that precede their licensure renewal month. 

• Four (4) of the required hours must consist of ethics and jurisprudence courses which are a minimum of two (2) hours each in duration and must be Category 1 continuing competence.

CEUfast is not currently approved to provide CEUs to Tennessee PTs and PTAs

NOTICE: Significant administrative rule revisions from the Tennessee Board of Physical Therapy went into effect on December 29, 2025. These updates impact CEU content, submission requirements, and provider responsibilities.

Notably, Tennessee will no longer accept courses approved by other state associations or boards. Please stay tuned for further updates as we work to be able to offer courses to TN physical therapists and Physical Therapy Assistants once again" 

The due date for licensure renewal is the last day of the month in which a licensee’s birthday falls. Occupational Therapist in Tennessee are required to complete twenty-four (24) continued competence credits for the two (2) calendar years (January 1 - December 31) that precede the licensure renewal year.

• Twelve (12) of the required twenty-four (24) continued competency credits must be directly related to the delivery of occupational therapy services.
• One (1) hour of the required twenty-four (24) continued competence credits shall pertain to the AOTA Code of Ethics or other ethics related continued competence activities which have implications for the practice of occupational therapy.
• One (1) hour of the required twenty-four (24) continued competence credits shall pertain to the occupational therapy portions of T.C.A. §§ 63-13-101, et seq., the Tennessee Occupational and Physical Therapy Practice Act, and shall pertain to Chapter 1150-02, General Rules Governing the Practice of Occupational Therapy. 
• Ten (10) hours of the required twenty-four (24) continued competency credits may pertain to the licensee's current or anticipated professional role or may be directly related to the delivery of occupational therapy services.

• Ethics for Healthcare Professionals

The due date for licensure renewal is the last day of the month in which a licensee’s birthday falls. Occupational Therapy Assistants in Tennessee are required to complete twenty-four (24) continued competence credits for the two (2) calendar years (January 1 - December 31) that precede the licensure renewal year.

• Twelve (12) of the required twenty-four (24) continued competency credits must be directly related to the delivery of occupational therapy services.
• One (1) hour of the required twenty-four (24) continued competence credits shall pertain to the AOTA Code of Ethics or other ethics related continued competence activities which have implications for the practice of occupational therapy.
• One (1) hour of the required twenty-four (24) continued competence credits shall pertain to the occupational therapy portions of T.C.A. §§ 63-13-101, et seq., the Tennessee Occupational and Physical Therapy Practice Act, and shall pertain to Chapter 1150-02, General Rules Governing the Practice of Occupational Therapy. 
• Ten (10) hours of the required twenty-four (24) continued competency credits may pertain to the licensee's current or anticipated professional role or may be directly related to the delivery of occupational therapy services.

1. Each respiratory therapist and assistant who holds a Tennessee license must get 12 hours of CE every calendar year. The previous requirement was 10 hours.
2. At least 5 of the 12 hours must pertain to the clinical practice of respiratory care or to research related to the cardio-pulmonary system.
3. At least 1 of the 12 hours must pertain to “patient safety” (as that term is defined by the Joint Commission).
4. At least 1 of the 12 hours must be a course focused on the professional or ethical standards required of respiratory therapists.
5. The remaining 5 hours may pertain to other topics, such as education or management.

• Ethics for Healthcare Professionals

• There are no Continuing Education Unit (CEU) requirements for the first renewal. 

1. The submission of renewal fees.
2. Signature of compliance with the CCI Code of Ethics.
3. The completion of Continuing Education Units (CEUs).
   • Certificate-Level (CCT and CRAT): sixteen (16) CEUs.
   • Advanced-Level (ACS): thirty-six (36) CEUs.
   • Registry-Level (RCES, RCIS, RCS, RCCS, RPhS, and RVS): thirty-six (36) CEUs.

• Thirty-six (36) contact hours of continuing education every three years for licensure renewal.
• Thirty (30) cardiovascular-related CEUs. 
• The remaining six (6) or fewer CEUs can be on any topic.

• Sixteen (16) contact hours of continuing education every three years for licensure renewal.

• Sixteen (16) contact hours of continuing education every three years for licensure renewal.

• Thirty-six (36) contact hours of continuing education every three years for licensure renewal.
• Thirty (30) cardiovascular-related CEUs.
• The remaining six (6) or fewer CEUs can be on any topic.

• Thirty-six (36) contact hours of continuing education every three years for licensure renewal.
• Thirty (30) cardiovascular-related CEUs.
• The remaining six (6) or fewer CEUs can be on any topic.

• Thirty-six (36) contact hours of continuing education every three years for licensure renewal.
• Thirty (30) cardiovascular-related CEUs. 
• The remaining six (6) or fewer CEUs can be on any topic.

• Thirty-six (36) contact hours of continuing education every three years for licensure renewal.
• Thirty (30) cardiovascular-related CEUs. 
• The remaining six (6) or fewer CEUs can be on any topic.

• Thirty-six (36) contact hours of continuing education every three years for licensure renewal.
• Thirty (30) cardiovascular-related CEUs. 
• The remaining six (6) or fewer CEUs can be on any topic.

• Thirty-six (36) contact hours of continuing education every three years for licensure renewal.
• Thirty (30) cardiovascular-related CEUs. 
• The remaining six (6) or fewer CEUs can be on any topic.