Tennessee Medical License

Tennessee Medical License Application

The journey to practicing medicine in Tennessee involves a multi-step process that varies depending on your medical role—be it a physician, physician assistant, or nurse. This comprehensive guide aims to demystify the medical licensing process, covering everything from the types of licenses available to renewal requirements and telemedicine regulations.

Types of Medical Licenses in Tennessee

TN offers a range of medical licenses, including:

• Full (Permanent) 
• Limited 
• Academic 
• Locum Tenens
• Faculty
• Training
• Volunteer

Licensing Requirements for Physicians

To obtain a full (permanent) license to practice medicine without restrictions in Tennessee, you must:

• Graduate from a medical school accredited by the Liaison Committee on Medical Education (LCME) or the Commission on Osteopathic College Accreditation (COCA).
• Complete at least one year of postgraduate training in an accredited residency or fellowship program.
• Pass all three steps of the United States Medical Licensing Examination (USMLE) or the Comprehensive Osteopathic Medical Licensing Examination (COMLEX).
• Hold a valid license in another state or have been licensed within the past two years.
• Submit a completed application form along with the required documents and fees. The fee for Medical Doctors (MDs) is $510, and for Doctors of Osteopathy (DOs), it’s $410.

Licensing Requirements for Physician Assistants

To become a licensed Physician Assistant in Tennessee, you must:

• Graduate from a program accredited by the Accreditation Review Commission on Education for the Physician Assistant (ARC-PA).
• Pass the Physician Assistant National Certifying Examination (PANCE) administered by the National Commission on Certification of Physician Assistants (NCCPA).
• Have a supervising physician with a valid TN license.
• Submit a completed application form, required documents, and fees. The application fee is $120, and the initial license fee is $100.

Licensing Requirements for Nurses

Nurses must:

• Graduate from a nursing program approved by the Tennessee Board of Nursing or another state board of nursing.
• Pass the National Council Licensure Examination (NCLEX) for Registered Nurses (RNs) or Licensed Practical Nurses (LPNs), or the national certification examination for Advanced Practice Registered Nurses (APRNs).
• Submit a completed application form and required documents.

Tennessee Medical Board License Renewal

All medical professionals must renew their licenses every two years, with the renewal cycle corresponding to the licensee’s birth month and whether they were born in an even or odd year.

For Physicians

Physicians are required to complete 40 hours of Continuing Medical Education (CME) in the 24 months preceding their licensure renewal. Two of these hours must relate to controlled substance prescribing, including instruction on the Department’s treatment guidelines on opioids, benzodiazepines, barbiturates, and carisoprodol.

For Physician Assistants

Physician Assistants must complete 100 hours of CME within a two-year period prior to license renewal. The division of hours between Category I and Category II CME must align with the requirements of the NCCPA.

Tennessee Telemedicine License

Telemedicine licenses are no longer offered in Tennessee. Medical practice is considered to occur where the patient is located, necessitating licensure in that state. Current law permits only medical doctors and osteopathic physicians to practice telemedicine, and Physician Assistants must be supervised by a physician licensed for telemedicine in Tennessee.

Tennessee Medical License Lookup

The Tennessee Health Related Board’s official licensure verification site serves as a critical resource for verifying the licensure status of healthcare professionals in the state. Updated daily, this platform provides a wealth of information, including the licensee’s name, license number, professional designation, and any disciplinary actions or abuse data, if applicable.

For those in the nursing profession who may also be interested in licensure status in other states, the Tennessee Board of Nursing has designated NURSYS as a primary source equivalent. This platform provides a centralized database for nursing licensure, making it easier for nurses to verify their credentials across multiple states. If you encounter any issues with the verification system, you can contact the appropriate board through the Tennessee Health Department’s website.

Expedited Licensing Through IMLC

Tennessee is one of the more than twenty states participating in the Interstate Medical Licensure Compact (IMLC). Applicants must meet qualifications established under the compact, which mirror state requirements. Once approved, physicians can practice in any of the participating states, expanding their potential patient base and offering more flexibility in their practice locations.

Tennessee Medical Licensing Services

Navigating the medical licensing process in Tennessee can be a complex and time-consuming endeavor. This is where MedicalLicensing.com comes into play. Specializing in assisting healthcare professionals with their licensing needs in Tennessee, this service takes on the heavy lifting of the administrative process.

Our range of services includes:

• Eligibility Assessment: Determining whether you meet the criteria for a Tennessee medical license.
• Document Preparation and Submission: Handling all the paperwork, from filling out the application form to gathering the necessary supporting documents.
• Credential Verification: Coordinating with the Federation Credentials Verification Service (FCVS) to ensure all your qualifications are properly verified.
• Application Tracking: Regularly following up with the Tennessee Board of Medical Examiners and other relevant agencies to expedite your application process.
• Status Updates: Keeping you informed about the progress of your application and any additional requirements or issues that may arise.

By leveraging the expertise of MedicalLicensing.com, healthcare professionals can focus on their primary responsibility—providing exceptional patient care—while we take care of the administrative intricacies.