Tenn. Comp. R. & Regs. 1000-01-.03 - RN/LPN LICENSURE BY EXAMINATION

(1) Application - The required application for RN or LPN, whichever is applicable, for licensure by examination shall be completed by the applicant and signed by the applicant under penalty of perjury.

(a) The name as signed by the applicant shall be the name carried in the records of the Board, absent a change of name.

(b) An official transcript from the approved school of nursing from which the applicant graduated or the approved school shall certify via official transcript, that the applicant has met all requirements for a diploma, degree, or certificate.

(c) The completed application, accompanied by the examination fee, shall be submitted to the Board.

(d) This application shall include the result of a biometric criminal background check that the applicant has caused to be submitted to the Board's administrative office directly from the vendor identified in the Board's licensure application materials.

(e) Explanation and supporting documentation regarding the applicant's background and information contained in the application may be required.

(f) Only a person who has filed the required application, paid the fee, and been notified of acceptance by the Board shall be permitted to take the examination.

(g) An RN applicant shall take and pass National Council Licensure Examination (NCLEX-RN®). An LPN applicant shall take and pass National Council Licensure Examination (NCLEX-PN®).

(h) Every applicant must be either: a United States citizen, a "qualified alien" or a nonimmigrant who meets the requirements set out at 8 U.S.C. § 1621. Applicants claiming qualified alien status must provide two forms of documentation of identity and immigration status as determined by the United States Department of Homeland Security.

(i) Applicants may be required to submit to an evaluation by a qualified expert as determined by the Board.

(2) Qualifications - Successful completion of a course of study in an approved school of nursing shall be required before the day of the examination.

(a) The Board may request submission of evidence of satisfactory mental and physical health.

(b) An applicant who graduated from a school of nursing approved by a board in another U.S. jurisdiction shall have had substantially the same course of study as stated in the minimum curriculum requirements for Tennessee approved schools of nursing at the time of application or shall remove deficiencies as directed by the Board.

(c) Applicants who completed the course of study more than ten (10) years prior to the date of application to take the examination shall be considered for eligibility to take the examination in Tennessee only on an individual basis.

(d) Foreign Educated Nurses - Nurses educated in a country outside of the U.S. or its jurisdiction, whether or not licensed in another country must apply for licensure and attain the acceptable score on the NCLEX® provided the applicant graduated after January 1, 1957. Individuals graduating prior to January 1, 1957 will be considered on an individual basis.

1. An applicant shall have graduated with substantially the same general and nursing education as required by the Board for Tennessee school of nursing graduates at the time such applicant was accepted for licensure by examination in the original foreign jurisdiction. RN and LPN applicants shall provide a Credential Evaluation Service (CES) professional report evidencing educational equivalency.

2. Applicants shall demonstrate successful passage, as per National Council of State Boards of Nursing guidelines, of an English proficiency exam that includes the components of reading, speaking, writing and listening, except for applicants from countries where English is the native language and the school of nursing where the applicant attended taught in English and used English textbooks

3. An applicant who does not have evidence of satisfactory education may be required to take additional courses of study or examination as directed by the Board in order to fulfill Tennessee requirements.

(3) Examination and Re-Examination.

(a) Each accepted applicant will be issued an authorization to test.

(b) The re-examination fee shall apply to each re-examination.

(c) A candidate who fails the examination may be eligible to repeat the licensure examination.

Notes

Tenn. Comp. R. & Regs. 1000-01-.03

Original rule certified May 10, 1974. Amendment filed February 28, 1983; effective March 30, 1983. Amendment filed September 18, 1985; effective October 18, 1985. Amendment filed October 24, 1991; effective December 8, 1991. Amendment filed July 7, 1995; effective September 20, 1995. Amendment filed September 4, 2002; effective December 8, 2002. Amendment filed March 23, 2007; effective June 6, 2007. Repeal and new rules filed July 10, 2024; effective 10/8/2024.

Authority: T.C.A. §§ 63-7-105, 63-7-106, 63-7-110, 63-7-111, and 63-7-207.