What you pay to reinstate an expired Tennessee RN license
Tennessee charges a reinstatement fee when you bring an expired RN license back into active status. The Tennessee Board of Nursing sets this fee, and it is separate from the renewal fee you would pay for a current license. The exact amount depends on how long your license has been expired and which reinstatement path you take.
As of now, the reinstatement fee for an RN license in Tennessee is $100, though you should confirm the current amount by contacting the Tennessee Board of Nursing directly or checking their website, since fees can change. If your license expired more than five years ago, you may face additional requirements beyond the fee — such as retaking parts of the licensing exam or completing continuing education hours — which could add to your total cost.
You will also need to pay for any continuing education credits required to reinstate, if your license has been expired long enough to trigger that requirement. These courses are offered through various nursing education providers and typically cost between $50 and $300 per course, depending on the provider and number of credits.
Key Takeaways
- The reinstatement fee for an expired RN license in Tennessee is $100, though you should verify the current amount with the Tennessee Board of Nursing.
- If your license expired more than five years ago, you may need to complete continuing education or retake exam sections, which adds to the total cost.
- You can contact the Tennessee Board of Nursing by phone or through their website to learn the exact requirements for your situation and current fees.
- The reinstatement process typically takes several weeks after you submit your paperwork and fee payment.
How long your license has been expired matters
Tennessee treats recently expired licenses differently from those expired for many years. If your license expired within the last year or two, reinstatement is usually straightforward — you pay the fee and submit the reinstatement form. The Board of Nursing will review your record to make sure there are no disciplinary issues or other blocks to reinstatement.
Once your license has been expired for five years or longer, Tennessee requires you to meet additional conditions. You may need to complete a certain number of continuing education hours in nursing, or you may be asked to retake the NCLEX-RN exam or portions of it. The Board of Nursing will tell you which requirements explore to your specific situation when you contact them about reinstatement.
Steps to reinstate your license
Start by contacting the Tennessee Board of Nursing directly. You can reach them by phone or visit their website to read the reinstatement process form. When you call or visit, tell them your license number and the date it expired so they can tell you exactly what you need to do and what the current fees are.
Complete the reinstatement process form and gather any documents the Board asks for. This typically includes proof of your current address, your Social Security number, and information about any jobs you have held since your license expired. If you are required to complete continuing education, you will need to show proof of those completed courses before the Board will process your reinstatement.
Submit your process, required documents, and the reinstatement fee to the Tennessee Board of Nursing. You can usually mail these or submit them online through the Board's website. After you submit, the Board will review your file. This review typically takes two to four weeks, though it can take longer if they need to verify information or if you are missing documents.
Where to send your reinstatement request
The Tennessee Board of Nursing handles all RN license reinstatements. You can find their mailing address, phone number, and online submission options on their official website. The Board's office is located in Nashville, but you do not need to visit in person — all reinstatement work can be done by mail or online.
If you are unsure whether you need to complete additional requirements before reinstatement, call the Board before you submit your process. They can tell you in one conversation what you need to do and what it will cost, which saves time and prevents you from submitting an incomplete process.
Continuing education requirements for older expirations
If your RN license expired more than five years ago, Tennessee may require you to complete continuing education hours before reinstatement. The number of hours depends on how long the license has been expired and Tennessee's current rules. Typical requirements range from 20 to 40 hours of approved nursing continuing education.
You can take these courses through nursing schools, hospitals, online education providers, and professional nursing organizations. Make sure any course you take is approved by the Tennessee Board of Nursing — not all continuing education counts toward reinstatement. When you enroll in a course, ask the provider whether it is Board-approved for RN reinstatement in Tennessee.
Keep proof of completion for every course you finish. You will need to submit these certificates or transcripts along with your reinstatement process so the Board can verify you have met the requirement.
What happens after you submit your reinstatement
Once the Tennessee Board of Nursing receives your complete process, fee, and all required documents, they will review your file. During this time, they check your nursing history, verify there are no disciplinary actions against you, and confirm you have met all reinstatement requirements. If everything is in order, they will issue you a new license.
You will receive notification by mail or email (depending on how the Board contacts you) when your reinstatement is approved. Your new license will be mailed to the address you provided on your process. From the date you submit your process to the date you receive your new license typically takes three to six weeks, though this varies.
If the Board finds an issue with your process — such as missing documents or a disciplinary record — they will contact you to explain what needs to be resolved before they can approve reinstatement. This is why it is important to provide complete and accurate information on your process.
Frequently Asked Questions
What if my license expired more than 10 years ago?
Tennessee may require you to retake the NCLEX-RN exam or portions of it if your license has been expired for a very long time. Contact the Board of Nursing to find out whether you need to retake the exam. If you do, you will need to register with the testing agency, pay the exam fee (typically around $200), and pass before the Board will reinstate your license.
Can I work as an RN while my reinstatement is being processed?
No. You cannot work as a licensed RN with an expired license, even if your reinstatement process is pending. You must wait until the Board issues your new license. Some employers may offer other positions while you wait, but you cannot perform RN duties.
Do I have to pay the reinstatement fee if my process is denied?
This depends on why your process was denied. If you were denied because of a disciplinary issue or other serious problem, the fee is typically not refunded. If you were denied because of incomplete paperwork that you can fix, contact the Board to ask about resubmitting — they can tell you whether you need to pay the fee again.
Is there a faster way to reinstate my license?
The reinstatement process takes the time it takes — there is no expedited option. However, you can speed things up by submitting a complete process the first time, with all required documents and fees included. Incomplete applications cause delays because the Board has to contact you for missing information.
What if I have a disciplinary record from before my license expired?
Contact the Tennessee Board of Nursing before you submit your reinstatement process. A past disciplinary action does not automatically prevent reinstatement, but the Board will review it as part of your file. Being upfront about it when you explore is better than having the Board discover it during their review.