How to Become A Certified Nursing Assistant in Tennessee
Tennessee employs approximately 27,040 certified nursing assistants according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, with a median annual wage of $37,990 1. Nationally, certified nursing assistant employment is projected to grow 2.3% from 2024 to 2034, with about 204,100 openings per year 2. This page covers how to become a certified nursing assistant in Tennessee, including licensing requirements, training programs, and salary data.
Quick Answers About Becoming A Certified Nursing Assistant in Tennessee
How do I become a certified nursing assistant in Tennessee? Tennessee requires credentials such as REGISTERED NURSE FIRST ASSISTANT, ADVANCED PRACTICE REGISTERED NURSE, REGISTERED NURSE. The licensing authority is the Department of Health - Division of Health Related Boards. You also need to complete an approved training program or apprenticeship.
How long does it take? Most paths take 1 to 5 years depending on whether you choose trade school, an apprenticeship, or a combination of both.
Do I need a license in Tennessee? Yes. Tennessee has licensing or registration requirements for certified nursing assistants. See the licensing section below for details.
What do certified nursing assistants earn in Tennessee? The median annual wage for certified nursing assistants in Tennessee is $37,990 according to BLS data. Entry-level wages start around $31,110 and experienced professionals can earn $44,660 or more 1.
At a Glance
- Training paths: trade school, community college, or apprenticeship
- Typical timeline: 1 to 5 years depending on the path
- Licensing authority: Department of Health - Division of Health Related Boards
- Median wage (Tennessee): $37,990 per year 1
- Exam requirement: Third-party exam required
Certified Nursing Assistant License Requirements in Tennessee
The Department of Health - Division of Health Related Boards oversees certified nursing assistant licensing in Tennessee.
License Types
| License | Requirements |
|---|---|
| REGISTERED NURSE FIRST ASSISTANT | REGISTERED NURSE FIRST ASSISTANT An RN first assistant, or RNFA, works alongside the surgeon in the operating room providing direct patient care. |
| ADVANCED PRACTICE REGISTERED NURSE | ADVANCED PRACTICE REGISTERED NURSE An Advanced Practice Nurse (APN) is a Tennessee licensed registered nurse who has a master’s degree or higher in a nursing specialty and has national specialt… |
| REGISTERED NURSE | REGISTERED NURSE A registered nurse diagnoses and treats human responses to actual or potential physical and emotional health problems; may administer drugs; may assist in convalescence and re… |
| NURSE AIDE | NURSE AIDE A nurse aide assists in the care of patients under the direction of the nursing and medical staff. |
| NURSING HOME ADMINISTRATOR | NURSING HOME ADMINISTRATOR Have the training, knowledge, professional activity and a facility for training prospective health care administrators (Administrators in Training or AITs). |
| LICENSED PRACTICAL NURSE | LICENSED PRACTICAL NURSE A licensed practical nurse performs for compensation selected acts required in the nursing care of the ill, injured, or infirm and/or carries out medical orders presc… |
| Medication Aide | MEDICATION AIDE Certified medication aides, also known as CMAs, administer medications of all kinds to patients. |
Additional Requirements
- Exam: Third-party exam required
- Experience: No experience required
License information sourced from CareerOneStop 3.
Certified Nursing Assistant Wages by Metro Area in Tennessee
Nursing Assistants Wages by Metro Area in Tennessee
According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics (2025 OES data), nursing assistants wages in Tennessee vary by metro area.
| Metro Area | Employment | Median Annual Wage | Avg. Annual Wage | Entry Level (10th pctile) | Experienced (90th pctile) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Nashville-Davidson--Murfreesboro--Franklin | 7,420 | $39,510 | $41,160 | $34,250 | $49,870 |
| Memphis | 4,930 | $38,010 | $38,520 | $31,660 | $44,540 |
| Knoxville | 3,860 | $38,000 | $37,170 | $31,140 | $43,450 |
| Chattanooga | 2,420 | $38,790 | $38,460 | $31,060 | $44,660 |
| Kingsport-Bristol | 1,400 | $37,550 | $37,760 | $30,100 | $43,710 |
| Johnson City | 1,390 | $37,310 | $37,230 | $29,510 | $43,830 |
| Jackson | 1,080 | $36,900 | $35,560 | $29,800 | $39,880 |
| Clarksville | 620 | $37,320 | $37,180 | $29,800 | $45,050 |
| Cleveland | 440 | $37,130 | $35,940 | $30,400 | $37,920 |
| Morristown | 350 | $37,620 | $36,860 | $30,240 | $40,230 |
Wages reflect survey data and vary based on experience, credentials, employer, and local market conditions. Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS), May 2025.
Top Metros for Certified nursing assistants in Tennessee
The metropolitan areas listed below report the highest certified nursing assistant employment within Tennessee according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (May 2025).
| Metro Area | Employment | Median Annual Wage |
|---|---|---|
| Nashville-Davidson–Murfreesboro–Franklin | 7,420 | $39,510 |
| Memphis | 4,930 | $38,010 |
| Knoxville | 3,860 | $38,000 |
| Chattanooga | 2,420 | $38,790 |
| Kingsport-Bristol | 1,400 | $37,550 |
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Frequently Asked Questions
What is the job outlook for certified nursing assistants in Tennessee? Tennessee currently employs approximately 27,040 certified nursing assistants 1. Nationally, certified nursing assistant employment is projected to grow 2.3% from 2024 to 2034 2.
Can I work as a certified nursing assistant in Tennessee with an out-of-state license? Contact the Department of Health - Division of Health Related Boards for details on reciprocity and credential transfer.
What training programs are available in Tennessee? Options include trade schools, community colleges, and apprenticeship programs. Use the school finder above to search for accredited programs in Tennessee.
How much do certified nursing assistants earn in Tennessee compared to the national average? The median annual wage for certified nursing assistants in Tennessee is $37,990, which is $1,540 below the national median of $39,530 according to BLS data 1.
Citations
About this guide: Researched and written by the TradeCareerPath Editorial Team. Our editorial team researches and sources every trade school and career guide using federal labor and education data, including BLS OEWS and Employment Projections, DOL apprenticeship records, IPEDS, College Scorecard, and state licensing boards. We follow the editorial standards documented at /editorial-policy/.
References
Bureau of Labor Statistics - Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics: https://www.bls.gov/oes/ ↩︎ ↩︎ ↩︎ ↩︎ ↩︎
Bureau of Labor Statistics - Employment Projections: https://www.bls.gov/emp/ ↩︎ ↩︎
CareerOneStop - Licensed Occupations: https://www.careeronestop.org/Toolkit/Training/find-licenses.aspx ↩︎
Data sources
Figures on this page are sourced from the federal and state datasets below. Methodology: how we rank and source data.
| Data | Provider | Vintage |
|---|---|---|
| Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS) | U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics | May 2025 |
| Employment Projections | U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics | 2024-2034 |
| Integrated Postsecondary Education Data System | National Center for Education Statistics (IPEDS) | 2024 |
| College Scorecard (school-level outcomes) | U.S. Department of Education | latest release |
| College Scorecard (field-of-study earnings) | U.S. Department of Education | latest release (updated 2026-06-12) |
| Occupational licensing requirements | CareerOneStop (U.S. Department of Labor) | latest release (updated 2026-02-22) |
| Registered apprenticeship programs | CareerOneStop / Apprenticeship.gov (U.S. Department of Labor) | latest release (updated 2025-10-25) |
| O*NET occupation profiles (skills, tasks, tools, job zones) | U.S. Department of Labor (O*NET / Employment & Training Admin.) | O*NET 29.1 (updated 2026-06-13) |