Healthcare Resource
Tennessee NP License 2026: Collaborative Practice, TN Board of Nursing, Salary
In brief
Tennessee APRNs require a collaborative practice agreement with a physician. Tennessee Board of Nursing processes applications in 6-10 weeks. Average salary $108,000/year.
Steps at a glance
Complete NP program and national certification
Graduate from accredited NP program and pass ANCC or AANP certification for your specialty population focus area.
Submit Tennessee APRN application
Apply to the Tennessee Board of Nursing for APRN licensure. Fee: $75 initial. Apply online through the TN Board of Nursing portal.
Establish Collaborative Practice Agreement
Tennessee APRNs must enter a collaborative practice agreement with a Tennessee-licensed physician. The agreement defines scope and must be on file. Prescriptive authority requires collaborative physician.
Obtain DEA registration and Tennessee controlled substance registration
Register with DEA. Tennessee APRNs with CPA may prescribe Schedule II-V. Register with Tennessee's Controlled Substance Monitoring Database (CSMD).
In this article
Tennessee nurse practitioners (APRN) operate under a reduced practice authority model, a collaborative practice agreement (CPA) with a physician is required for prescribing. Average APRN salary in Tennessee is $108,000/year in 2026, with Nashville reaching $115,000-$128,000 for specialty APRNs at Vanderbilt and HCA facilities.
Tennessee APRN Practice Authority
Tennessee is a reduced practice authority state. APRNs may assess and diagnose patients, but all prescribing authority (including controlled substances) requires a collaborative practice agreement with a licensed Tennessee physician. The CPA must specify the supervising physician and the NP's clinical scope. Tennessee has considered but not passed full practice authority legislation.
Tennessee Board of Nursing Application Requirements
- Active Tennessee RN license
- Graduation from accredited NP program (master's or doctorate)
- National certification from ANCC, AANP, NCC, PNCB, AACN, or other Board-approved body
- APRN application fee: $75
- Online application through TN Board of Nursing portal
Processing Timeline
Tennessee Board of Nursing APRN applications typically process in 6-10 weeks.
NP Salary in Tennessee (2026)
| City | Avg Annual Salary |
|---|---|
| Nashville | $118,000 |
| Memphis | $112,000 |
| Knoxville | $106,000 |
| Chattanooga | $104,000 |
| Jackson | $99,000 |
| Rural East TN | $95,000-$104,000 |
Top TN Health Systems for APRNs
- Vanderbilt University Medical Center, Nashville; Tennessee's academic flagship; top APRN compensation in the state
- HCA Healthcare (TriStar Health), Nashville metro; largest for-profit hospital operator in the US; aggressive NP hiring
- Ascension Saint Thomas, Nashville; Catholic system; strong primary care NP programs
- Methodist Le Bonheur Healthcare, Memphis; strong pediatric NP programs at Le Bonheur Children's
- Covenant Health / UT Medical Center, Knoxville; East Tennessee academic system
What We See at Ava Health
Tennessee's Nashville metro is the fastest-growing NP job market in the Southeast, HCA's Nashville headquarters creates sustained demand across TriStar facilities. Rural Tennessee (Appalachian east, rural west) has NHSC loan repayment eligibility and strong FNP shortages. Vanderbilt's APRN residency program is nationally recognized.
Related: NP License North Carolina 2026, NP License Georgia 2026, RN Salary Tennessee 2026.
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