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How to become a CNA in Tennessee. Training: 75 hours required. Exam provider: D&S Diversified Technologies (Headmaster) via TMU portal. Total initial fees: $177.15. Verified 2026-03-21. Data verified 2026-03-21. Source: LicenseMap (getlicensemap.com).
Certified Nursing Assistant
Governing Authority
Tennessee Department of Health, Division of Health Care Facilities
Official website →Some information on this page has not been fully verified.
57% of data points are verified against official sources. 16 fields based on preliminary research. 1 field needs verification. We recommend confirming details with your state's licensing authority. See sources below · Report incorrect data
75 hrs
Training Hours
D&S Diversified Technologies (Headmaster) via TMU portal
Exam Provider
$177.15
Total Initial Fees
2 years
Renewal Period
12 hrs
CE Hours
Must have performed at least 8 consecutive hours of paid nursing-related work in a licensed or certified healthcare facility during the 24-month renewal period
Work Hours Req
Regulatory Information
VerifiedGoverning Authority
Tennessee Department of Health, Division of Health Care Facilities
615-532-5171
Program Approval Body
Tennessee Department of Health
State-Approved Training Program Required
Regulated by the Tennessee Department of Health, Division of Health Care Facilities
State-Approved Training Program
Training Hours Breakdown
75
Total Hours
40
Classroom
35
Clinical
Program Approval Body
Tennessee Department of Health
Topics Covered
Exam Requirements
VerifiedRequired
Written Exam
Available
Oral Exam Option
Required
Skills Evaluation
Exam Provider
D&S Diversified Technologies (Headmaster) via TMU portal
Written Exam Details
100
Questions
120 min
Time Limit
75%
Passing Score
Skills Evaluation Details
5
Skills Tasks
30 min
Time Limit
Attempts Allowed
3
Retest Waiting Period
Must pass both parts within 24 months of training completion; 3 attempts allowed. Retraining required if not passed.
Minimum Age
Education
Background Check
Fingerprinting
Immunizations Required
TB Test Required
Abuse Registry Check
Physical Exam Required
CPR Certification
| Fee | Amount |
|---|---|
Training Program Fee Varies by program; employers in LTC facilities must cover training costs under OBRA | $500–$1,200 |
Competency Exam Fee Knowledge exam $40 + Skills exam $100; employers in LTC facilities must pay testing fees | $140 |
State Registration Fee No separate registration fee; added to registry upon passing exam | $0 |
Background Check Fee Processed through IdentoGO (TN Department of Health selected vendor) | $37.15 |
Total Initial Fees Total of exam fee ($140) and background check ($37.15); excludes training program tuition | $177.15 |
Scope of Practice
Mostly verifiedAllowed Duties
Restricted Duties
Supervision Requirements
Must work under the supervision of a licensed nurse (RN or LPN)
Approved Work Settings
Renewal & CE Requirements
Verified2 years
Renewal Period
Must have performed at least 8 consecutive hours of paid nursing-related work in a licensed or certified healthcare facility during the 24-month renewal period
Work Requirement
12
In-Service/CE Hours
Renewal Fee
$0
No renewal fee; renewals processed through TMU portal
Late Renewal Fee
N/A
If certification lapses beyond 24 months, must retest or retrain
Inactive Reinstatement
Must retake and pass the competency exam if certification has lapsed; if lapsed more than 24 months, may need to complete new training program
Regulatory Board
CNAs must maintain active certification by meeting work hour requirements and completing in-service training within each renewal cycle. Failure to renew may require retaking the competency exam.
Out-of-State Reciprocity
VerifiedAccepts Out-of-State CNA Certification
Transfer Process
Must apply for reciprocity through the Tennessee Department of Health, provide verification of active certification from previous state, and pass a background check
Additional Requirements for Transfer
Out-of-state CNAs typically need to apply for reciprocity through the state's nurse aide registry. Verification of active, good-standing status on the originating state's registry is usually required.
Tennessee uses D&S Diversified (Headmaster) for testing, not Pearson VUE. The knowledge exam has 100 questions (more than most states). Skills evaluation requires 100% of key steps. As of March 2025, all renewals managed through tn.tmutest.com.
Tennessee follows the federal OBRA minimum of 75 training hours (40 classroom + 35 clinical)
The competency exam is administered by D&S Diversified Technologies (Headmaster), not Pearson VUE
Knowledge exam has 100 multiple-choice questions with a 75% passing score
Skills evaluation requires 100% of key steps and 80% overall score
As of March 2025, all nurse aide renewals and demographic changes are managed through tn.tmutest.com
Background check is processed through IdentoGO at a cost of $37.15
Minimum age is 16 years old
Employers in long-term care facilities must cover testing and training costs
There is no interstate compact for CNAs. Transfer between states requires reciprocity application to the new state's Nurse Aide Registry.
Explore requirements for other professional licenses in Tennessee.
How this state compares to 50 others for this profession
Timeline
#1 of 51
Salary
#42 of 51
Cost
#37 of 51
Processing
#1 of 51
Based on May 2024 Bureau of Labor Statistics OEWS data for Nursing Assistants (SOC 31-1131)
Entry Level
$33,630
25th percentile
Median
$36,750
-7% vs. national avg ($39,530)Experienced
$39,160
75th percentile
Wage Distribution (Annual)
23,030 employed in this state
Source: BLS OEWS – Nursing Assistants (May 2024)
National employment projections for 2024-2034
Projected Growth
+4.1%
Average GrowthNew Jobs
+57,000
over 10 years
Annual Openings
182,300
per year (avg.)
1.4M currently employed nationwide (2024)
Source: BLS Employment Projections 2024-2034 (September 2025)
Nursing Career Ladder+195% salary growth potential
You are here
CNA
$36,750
State-approved training program (4-12 weeks)
You are here
CNA
State-approved training program (4-12 weeks)
$36,750
Practical nursing program (12-18 months) + NCLEX-PN
$54,530
ADN or BSN degree + NCLEX-RN
$79,030
MSN or DNP + national certification
$108,420
Salary data from BLS OEWS May 2024 for this state. Career paths represent common advancement routes — actual progression may vary. Bureau of Labor Statistics — Occupational Outlook Handbook
Government fees and exam costs to obtain your initial license
Note: These are government licensing fees only. Education/training program costs (tuition, books, etc.) are not included as they vary widely by institution.
Estimated total: 6–20 weeks
Timeline estimated from licensing requirements on this page.
Source: Tennessee Department of Health, Division of Health Care Facilities — Licensing Requirements
2–6 weeks
Estimated processing time
Source: Tennessee Department of Health, Division of Health Care Facilities — Licensing Requirements
Study guides and practice tests for the certified nursing assistant exam.
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Tennessee requires 75 hours of training and passage of the D&S Diversified Technologies (Headmaster) via TMU portal competency exam to become a Certified Nursing Assistant. All certification is managed through the Tennessee Department of Health, Division of Health Care Facilities.
Requirements vary by state. Always verify current requirements with your state Board of Nursing.