How to Become a Licensed Vocational Nurse in Tennessee (2026)
Tennessee employs about 20,830 licensed vocational nurses earning a median $58,870 a year (BLS OEWS, May 2025). Training as a Licensed Vocational Nurse here means completing a state-approved practical or vocational nursing program, the NCLEX-PN, and state LPN or LVN licensure, then applying through Department of Health - Division of Health Related Boards - Division of Health Related Boards.
Compare Licensed Vocational Nurse Schools in Tennessee
| # | School | BOC Score (0–100) | Tuition (published, per year) | Median grad earnings (all majors) | Graduation rate | Online | Distance |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Tennessee College of Applied Technology-Shelbyville | 68.0 | Contact school for pricing | $54,975 | 81% | — | 52 mi |
| 2 | Tennessee College of Applied Technology-Murfreesboro | 66.6 | Contact school for pricing | $50,879 | 76% | — | 50 mi |
| 3 | Herzing University-Nashville | 61.1 | $13,450 | $58,575 | Not reported | Yes* | 41 mi |
| 4 | Tennessee College of Applied Technology-Pulaski | 59.9 | Contact school for pricing | $46,239 | 75% | — | 42 mi |
| 5 | Tennessee College of Applied Technology Nashville | 56.6 | Contact school for pricing | $41,766 | 70% | — | 41 mi |
| 6 | Tennessee College of Applied Technology-Dickson | 55.3 | Contact school for pricing | $43,136 | 74% | — | 18 mi |
| 7 | Northwest Shoals Community College | 51.7 | $5,131 in-state / $9,001 out-of-state | $45,546 | 39% | Yes* | 73 mi |
| 8 | Tennessee College of Applied Technology-Crump | 50.7 | Contact school for pricing | $39,150 | 63% | — | 68 mi |
| 9 | Tennessee College of Applied Technology-Hohenwald | 50.1 | Contact school for pricing | $43,241 | 65% | — | 21 mi |
| 10 | Tennessee College of Applied Technology-Henry/Carroll | 49.4 | Contact school for pricing | $39,070 | 75% | — | 68 mi |
Schools closest to the page's primary location are gathered first, then ranked by BOC Score; distance from the page's primary location is shown for reference. The BOC Score is an independent measure of school outcomes (graduation, earnings, net price, retention) expressed as a 0–100 percentile within each school's peer group; higher is better and advertising never affects it. *Online availability refers to coursework; hands-on trade training is completed in person. Read the full methodology.
Tennessee employs approximately 20,830 licensed vocational nurses according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, with a median annual wage of $58,870 1. The state’s concentration of licensed vocational nurse jobs is 1.52x the national average, indicating strong demand. Nationally, licensed vocational nurse employment is projected to grow 2.6% from 2024 to 2034, with about 54,400 openings per year 2. This page covers how to become a Licensed Vocational Nurse in Tennessee, including licensing requirements, training programs, and salary data.
At a Glance
- Training paths: state-approved practical or vocational nursing program (find programs)
- Typical timeline: a state-approved practical or vocational nursing program, the NCLEX-PN, and state LPN or LVN licensure
- Licensing authority: Department of Health - Division of Health Related Boards - Division of Health Related Boards
- Exam: NCLEX-PN
- Median wage (Tennessee): $58,870 per year 1
Quick Answers About How to Become a Licensed Vocational Nurse in Tennessee
How to become a Licensed Vocational Nurse in Tennessee? Complete a state-approved practical or vocational nursing program, the NCLEX-PN, and state LPN or LVN licensure. Apply through Department of Health - Division of Health Related Boards - Division of Health Related Boards.
How long does it take? Most people finish a state-approved practical or vocational nursing program, the NCLEX-PN, and state LPN or LVN licensure. Confirm current hour totals with the program and Department of Health - Division of Health Related Boards - Division of Health Related Boards.
Do I need a license in Tennessee? Yes. Tennessee credentials this role through Department of Health - Division of Health Related Boards - Division of Health Related Boards. See the licensing section below.
What do licensed vocational nurses earn in Tennessee? The median annual wage for licensed vocational nurses in Tennessee is $58,870 according to BLS data. Entry-level wages start around $41,110 and experienced professionals can earn $67,540 or more 1.
How to Become a Licensed Vocational Nurse in Tennessee
- Meet program entry rules. Approved practical or vocational nursing programs in Tennessee typically require a high school diploma or GED. Confirm current age and prerequisite rules with the program and Department of Health - Division of Health Related Boards - Division of Health Related Boards.
- Complete a state-approved PN or VN program. Finish a board-approved practical or vocational nursing program in Tennessee. This is not a registered apprenticeship.
- Pass the NCLEX-PN. Apply to Department of Health - Division of Health Related Boards - Division of Health Related Boards for authorization to test, then pass the NCLEX-PN. An RN exam does not substitute.
- Apply for LPN or LVN licensure. Obtain the practical or vocational nursing license from Department of Health - Division of Health Related Boards - Division of Health Related Boards before practicing. Confirm reciprocity with the board.
Steps and hour totals vary by credential level; confirm current requirements with the state board before you apply.
Licensed Vocational Nurse License Requirements in Tennessee
Tennessee licenses practical and vocational nurses through Department of Health - Division of Health Related Boards - Division of Health Related Boards. The path is an approved PN or VN program, the NCLEX-PN, and a state LPN or LVN license. Some states use the LVN title; others use LPN.
Typical path
Meet the program’s entry rules.
Complete a state-approved practical or vocational nursing program.
Pass the NCLEX-PN.
Apply to Department of Health - Division of Health Related Boards - Division of Health Related Boards for LPN or LVN licensure.
Hour totals, fees, and reciprocity rules change. Confirm current requirements with Department of Health - Division of Health Related Boards - Division of Health Related Boards before you enroll.
Licensed Vocational Nurse Wages by Metro Area in Tennessee
Licensed Practical and Licensed Vocational Nurses Wages by Metro Area in Tennessee
According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics ( OES data), licensed practical and licensed vocational nurses 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 | 5,650 | $61,940 | $60,510 | $46,730 | $73,200 |
| Memphis | 2,980 | $59,140 | $56,750 | $41,130 | $68,410 |
| Knoxville | 2,650 | $57,960 | $55,240 | $38,400 | $64,500 |
| Chattanooga | 1,560 | $58,580 | $56,700 | $42,810 | $65,520 |
| Johnson City | 820 | $51,480 | $53,010 | $41,540 | $61,490 |
| Jackson | 810 | $50,670 | $52,000 | $41,030 | $60,870 |
| Kingsport-Bristol | 800 | $54,050 | $54,610 | $41,950 | $64,360 |
| Clarksville | 630 | $58,260 | $58,050 | $45,760 | $71,430 |
| Cleveland | 270 | $52,350 | $53,760 | $44,140 | $61,410 |
| Morristown | 260 | $55,140 | $52,940 | $39,170 | $63,490 |
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 .
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the job outlook for licensed vocational nurses in Tennessee? Tennessee currently employs approximately 20,830 licensed vocational nurses 1. Nationally, licensed vocational nurse employment is projected to grow 2.6% from 2024 to 2034 2.
Can I work as a licensed vocational nurse in Tennessee with an out-of-state license? Contact Department of Health - Division of Health Related Boards - 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 state-approved training programs. Use the school finder above to search for programs in Tennessee.
How much do licensed vocational nurses earn in Tennessee compared to the national average? The median annual wage for licensed vocational nurses in Tennessee is $58,870, which is $3,470 below the national median of $62,340 according to BLS data 1.
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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/ ↩︎ ↩︎
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) |