Graduate from an approved medical school (MD or DO).
Complete the required written licensing examination: Tennessee’s Board accepts USMLE Steps 1, 2, and 3.
Undergo a criminal background check.
Provide primary-source verification of education, postgraduate training (if any), and previous medical licenses (if applicable).
For out-of-state or international applicants: meet the criteria under Tennessee law, including license verifications and other qualifying documentation.
Use the Board of Medical Examiners (Tennessee) application forms, available on their website.
Choose the appropriate license type: full MD license, temporary/locum tenens license, distinguished faculty, etc.
Complete and submit the application with:
Medical school diploma/transcripts.
Licensure exam score verification (USMLE)
Previous license verifications (if any) .
National Practitioner Data Bank (NPDB) self-query / disclosure (if required).
Pay all required fees as per the application instructions.
If applying for a long-term or special license (faculty, locum), submit supporting documentation specific to that category.
Physicians must complete 40 hours of CME every 2 years, with specific requirements.
At least 2 of the 40 hours must be on controlled substance prescribing, covering Tennessee-specific guidelines (opioids, benzodiazepines, barbiturates, carisoprodol).
CME must be AMA Category 1 or AAFP credits for MDs.
Licensees should retain CME certificate records for 4 years, as audits may happen.
There is a penalty policy for missing CME hours: make up hours + civil penalty + additional “penalty hours.”
The Board may waive continuing education requirements in cases of illness, disability, or hardship.
Residents / fellows in ACGME programs can count up to 20 CME hours/year from their training program (plus the 2 required substance-prescribing hours).
Licenses are renewed every 2 years, in the licensee’s birth month.
Renewal must be done online via LARS (Tennessee’s licensing portal).
At renewal, physicians attest to having completed the CME requirements; submissions are required only if audited.
If a physician fails to complete CME, they face the Board’s penalty policy (civil fine + make-up + penalty hours).
For reinstating a lapsed license, CME documentation may be required depending on how long the license has expired.
The Interstate Medical Licensure Compact (IMLC) is available: Tennessee participates in the compact.
There are special / limited license categories: locum tenens, distinguished faculty, short-term, etc.
To update personal information (address, name, etc.) or your practitioner profile, use the Tennessee Health Portal.
The Board requires successful completion of the licensing exam (USMLE) before reviewing the full licensure application.
Applications can be submitted online or via paper, depending on your license type.
Make sure to keep your practitioner profile up to date, since the Board uses that for renewals, renewal notices, and background checks.
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