Tennessee Board of Nursing · CRNA

0 hours. Every two years. Tied to your license anniversary.

Below is exactly what Tennessee Board of Nursing requires: mandatory topics, exemptions, accepted credit types, and documentation rules.

Updated April 2026Sourced from TBN~5 min read

Compiled by Atlas CME from official board sources · Last updated July 4, 2026

These figures are compiled from official board materials — confirm current requirements with the Tennessee Board of Nursing

Mandatory topics

Tennessee has no state-mandated topic requirements beyond the 0-hour total.

Atlas CME tracks each of these mandatory topics against your Tennessee cycle automatically. Start tracking free →
Conditional requirements

These rules apply only when the trigger described under each card is met (for example, holding a state-issued controlled substance registration or treating a specific patient population). Each cites the underlying statute or rule directly.

ConditionalGeneral[1]
Hrs vary
Biennial

TN APRN renewal requires (1) current national certification (NBCRNA for CRNAs) AND (2) one item from the underlying RN continuing competence list (15 options including 10 contact hours of CE, employer evaluation, peer letter, etc.). No fixed CE hour minimum applies to APRNs without a Certificate of Fitness.

View sourceVerbatim from source
“an advanced practice nurse shall: (1) Have initially obtained or maintained, during the most recent biennial renewal period, certification from a nationally recognized certification body appropriate to the nurse’s specialty area; and (2) One (1) additional item from the Registered Nurse proof of competence list; and”
Tenn. Comp. R. & Regs. 1000-01-.18(2)(b); 1000-04-.05 (national cert + 1 RN item; no fixed CE hour minimum)See source [1] in Primary Sources
ConditionalOpioid/Substance Use[1]
2 hrs
Biennial

TN APRNs (including CRNAs) holding a Certificate of Fitness to prescribe must additionally complete 2 contact hours of CE on controlled substance prescribing practices per biennium (in addition to national certification + 1 RN competency item).

View sourceVerbatim from source
“If in possession of a Certificate of Fitness pursuant to Rule 1000-01-.18, have successfully completed a minimum of two (2) contact hours of continuing education designed specifically to address controlled substance prescribing practices. The continuing education must include instruction in the Tennessee Department of Health’s treatment guidelines on opioids, benzodiazepines, barbiturates, and carisoprodol”
Tenn. Comp. R. & Regs. 1000-01-.18(2)(b) item 4 (CF holders: +2hr CS prescribing CE/biennium)See source [1] in Primary Sources
Accepted credit

Credit must come from an organization accredited by the ACCME, AMA, Tennessee Medical Association, or AAFP. ACGME residency or fellowship time accrues toward the requirement. Teaching or presenting accredited CME can satisfy a portion of required hours.

Credit systemNotes
NBCRNA Class A
NBCRNA Class A credits accepted toward CE.Sourcehttps://www.nbcrna.com/continued-certification[2]
NBCRNA_CLASS_B
NBCRNA Class B credits accepted toward CE.Sourcehttps://www.nbcrna.com/continued-certification[2]
Documentation & audit

Physicians are responsible for retaining CME documentation and producing it on request. Requirements include course title, dates, hours, sponsoring organization, and accrediting body.

Waivers & exemptions

Initial licensees are exempt from the continuing-competence requirement for their first licensure period: successfully completing the requirements for licensure is itself deemed sufficient proof of competence. A newly licensed TN CRNA (APRN) need not separately document the national-certification + RN-proof-of-competence items in that initial period.

Nurses (including APRNs/CRNAs) who have not practiced for more than five years and do not intend to practice in the future are not required to comply with the continuing-competence rule at all.

FAQ
How many state-level CE hours do Tennessee CRNAs need?
None as a fixed CE hour minimum for APRNs without a Certificate of Fitness. APRN renewal under Tenn. Comp. R. & Regs. 1000-01-.18(2) requires (1) current national certification (NBCRNA for CRNAs) plus (2) one item from a 15-option RN proof-of-competence list. APRNs holding a Certificate of Fitness to prescribe must additionally complete 2 contact hours of CE on controlled substance prescribing practices per biennium.
Does Tennessee require NBCRNA certification for CRNA licensure?
Yes. TN APN-CRNA recognition requires current NBCRNA national certification, both at initial application and on a continuing basis.
Is Tennessee part of the APRN Compact?
No, TN has not enacted the APRN Compact as of April 2026. TN is, however, a member of the Nurse Licensure Compact (NLC) for the underlying RN license.
Where can I check my TN CRNA license renewal date?
Use the TN Health Licensure & Regulation Service portal at https://apps.tn.gov/hlrs/ or contact the TN Board of Nursing directly.

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Other roles in Tennessee

CRNAs CME requirements in other states

Sources & Citations

Every mandatory topic and conditional requirement above cites the underlying statute or rule. Numbered references below correspond to the bracketed citations next to each requirement.

  1. TN Dept. of Health — APRN Continuing Education Requirements (1/5/26 enforcement doc; capture tennessee/np/tn-bon-aprn-cs-ce-req-010526)
    Primary sourceAccessed 2026-07-04
    Show verbatim text
    “an advanced practice nurse shall: (1) Have initially obtained or maintained, during the most recent biennial renewal period, certification from a nationally recognized certification body appropriate to the nurse’s specialty area; and (2) One (1) additional item from the Registered Nurse proof of competence list; and”Tenn. Comp. R. & Regs. 1000-01-.18(2)(b); 1000-04-.05 (national cert + 1 RN item; no fixed CE hour minimum) · Effective 2024-10-08
    “If in possession of a Certificate of Fitness pursuant to Rule 1000-01-.18, have successfully completed a minimum of two (2) contact hours of continuing education designed specifically to address controlled substance prescribing practices. The continuing education must include instruction in the Tennessee Department of Health’s treatment guidelines on opioids, benzodiazepines, barbiturates, and carisoprodol”Tenn. Comp. R. & Regs. 1000-01-.18(2)(b) item 4 (CF holders: +2hr CS prescribing CE/biennium) · Effective 2024-10-08
  2. NBCRNA — Continued Certification
    Primary sourceAccessed 2026-04-30

This page is provided for general educational purposes and reflects the best available information as of the last reviewed date above. CME requirements change. Atlas CME is not affiliated with the Tennessee Board of Nursing, or any other state medical board, licensing authority, or professional organization. Physicians are solely responsible for verifying their own current CME requirements directly with their state medical board before relying on any information presented here.

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