Healthcare Recruiting
Tennessee NP License 2026: Collaborative Practice, TN Board of Nursing, Salary
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.
Hiring in this space?
Browse 1.4M+ verified providers across all 50 states
NPI-sourced, free, no account required. Filter by specialty + state in seconds.
Search the directory →Be on the launch list
Salary data, hiring plays, and market trends. We'll email you when issue 1 ships. Free, unsubscribe anytime.
No spam. Unsubscribe anytime. We never share your email.