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The Tennessee State Board of Nursing licenses registered nurses and practical nurses. Tennessee is a Nurse Licensure Compact (Compact) state, meaning that nurses licensed by another Compact state do not need to apply for licensure unless they plan to make Tennessee their primary state of residency.
Select license type you’re applying for:
Registered Nurse
Initial Licensure
Service(s) Required by Tennessee for Registered Nurse Initial Licensure
English Language Proficiency Exam Results
Exams scores are required to be submitted to TruMerit for CES
Accepted English Language Proficiency Test and Passing Exam Scores:
- TOEFL Internet Based Test: Passing Score: 83; Speaking score: 26
- IELTS Academic: Overall Score: 6.5; Speaking Score: 7.0
- MET: Overall: 55; Speaking: 55
- OET: Reading, Writing, and Listening: 300; Speaking: 350
Notes
Applicants educated in the following English exempt countries Australia, Barbados, Canada (expect Quebec), Ireland, Jamaica, New Zealand, South Africa, Trinidad/Tobago, United Kingdom, United States (expect Puerto Rico) OR if language of instruction and textbook language is English are not required to submit English Language Proficiency scores.
Registered Nurse
Endorsement
Service(s) Required by Tennessee for Registered Nurse Endorsement
English Language Proficiency Exam Results
Exams scores are required to be submitted to TruMerit for CES
Accepted English Language Proficiency Test and Passing Exam Scores:
- TOEFL Internet Based Test: Passing Score: 83; Speaking score: 26
- IELTS Academic Overall Score: 6.5; Speaking Score: 7.0
- MET: Overall: 55; Speaking: 55
- OET: Reading, Writing, and Listening: 300; Speaking: 350
Notes
Applicants educated in the following English exempt countries Australia, Barbados, Canada (expect Quebec), Ireland, Jamaica, New Zealand, South Africa, Trinidad/Tobago, United Kingdom, United States (expect Puerto Rico) OR if language of instruction and textbook language is English are not required to submit English Language Proficiency scores.
Licensed Practical Nurse
Initial Licensure
Service(s) Required by Tennessee for LPN Initial Licensure
English Language Proficiency Exam Results
Exam scores are required to be submitted to TruMerit for CES
Accepted English Language Proficiency Test and Passing Exam Scores:
- TOEFL Internet Based Test: Passing Score: 79; Speaking score: 26
- IELTS Academic: Overall Score: 6.0; Speaking Score: 7.0
- OET: Reading, Writing, and Listening: 200; Speaking: 350
Notes
Applicants educated in the following English exempt countries Australia, Barbados, Canada (expect Quebec), Ireland, Jamaica, New Zealand, South Africa, Trinidad/Tobago, United Kingdom, United States (expect Puerto Rico) OR if language of instruction and textbook language is English are not required to submit English Language Proficiency scores.
Licensed Practical Nurse
Endorsement
Service(s) Required by Tennessee for LPN Endorsement
English Language Proficiency Exam Results
Exam scores are required to be submitted to TruMerit for CES
Accepted English Language Proficiency Test and Passing Exam Scores:
- TOEFL Internet Based Test: Passing Score: 79; Speaking score: 26
- IELTS Academic: Overall Score: 6.0; Speaking Score: 7.0
- OET: Reading, Writing, and Listening: 200; Speaking: 350
Notes
Applicants educated in the following English exempt countries Australia, Barbados, Canada (expect Quebec), Ireland, Jamaica, New Zealand, South Africa, Trinidad/Tobago, United Kingdom, United States (expect Puerto Rico) OR if language of instruction and textbook language is English are not required to submit English Language Proficiency scores.