How to Get Your CNA Certification in Tennessee (TN): 2026 Guide

Tennessee switched its nurse aide competency exam from its previous vendor to Credentia (NNAAP) in June 2026. Candidates now complete a 75-hour state-approved training program and take the NNAAP written (or oral) and skills evaluations through Credentia. This guide covers the full path: picking a program, what the new vendor's exam looks like, what it costs, where to test in Tennessee, and how to keep your certification active after you pass.

Tennessee CNA at a glance

• Testing vendor: Credentia (NNAAP), effective June 2026
• Oversight: Tennessee Department of Health (TDH)
• Training hours: 75 total (59 classroom/lab + 16 clinical)
• Exam format: 70-question written or oral + 5-skill hands-on evaluation
• Combined exam fee: approximately $90
• Registry validity: 24 months
• Renewal requirement: paid nursing-related work within the certification period

Who oversees CNA certification in Tennessee

CNA certification in Tennessee is administered by the Tennessee Department of Health (TDH), which approves nurse aide training programs and maintains the official Tennessee Nurse Aide Registry. Employers verify your active status through the TDH registry before hire, so make sure your record stays accurate — especially after a name change, address move, or reciprocity transfer.

TDH also handles reciprocity applications for CNAs moving into Tennessee from other states (with documented restrictions — see pitfalls below). For routine questions about program approval, registry status, or renewal eligibility, the TDH Health Care Facilities branch is your authoritative point of contact. Credentia handles only the exam itself; everything upstream and downstream of testing routes through Tennessee Department of Health.

Training programs in Tennessee

Tennessee requires a state-approved nurse aide training program of 75 total hours, broken down as 59 hours of classroom and lab instruction plus 16 hours of supervised clinical practice, typically in a nursing home or hospital setting. Programs are offered at community colleges, technical centers, nursing homes, and private career schools across the state.

When choosing a program, confirm two things before you enroll: (1) that the program is currently approved by the Tennessee Department of Health, and (2) that it actively schedules its graduates for the Credentia NNAAP exam. Programs that have recently transitioned their students to the new vendor can save you confusion around scheduling and paperwork.

Tuition and total cost:

• Tuition range: approximately $600 to $1,300 for the full 75-hour program, depending on the school type and region
• Typical add-ons to budget for: textbooks or workbooks ($50–$120), uniform/scrubs ($30–$80), CPR certification if not included ($40–$80), background check and drug screen ($50–$100 combined), TB skin test or chest X-ray ($20–$60), and the state credentialing/exam fee (see below)

Community colleges and Tennessee Board of Regents programs sit at the lower end of the tuition range, while private career schools in the Nashville and Memphis metro areas often sit at the higher end. Ask each program for an itemized cost sheet — and whether tuition includes the exam fee, the background check, and the credentialing registration. Several Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act (WIOA) providers in Tennessee fund CNA training for eligible adults at no cost, so ask your local American Job Center.

Most full-time day programs run 3 to 5 weeks, and part-time evening programs run 6 to 10 weeks.

The Tennessee CNA exam: Credentia details

Tennessee contracts with Credentia to deliver the National Nurse Aide Assessment Program (NNAAP) exam as of June 2026. The exam has two parts:

1. Written (or Oral) Knowledge Test — 70 multiple-choice questions covering the role of the nurse aide, basic nursing skills, resident rights, communication, safety, and infection control. You have 2 hours to complete it. An oral version (audio read-along) is available for eligible candidates; the oral test includes an additional 10 reading-comprehension questions for a total of 80 items.
2. Skills Evaluation — a hands-on test where you perform 5 randomly assigned nursing assistant skills on a live actor or mannequin while a Credentia evaluator watches. One of the five skills is always handwashing, and another is always indirect care (such as privacy, dignity, or resident preferences). The remaining three are drawn from the published NNAAP skills list.

The general workflow:

1. Complete your TDH-approved training program.
2. Submit your exam application through Credentia's Tennessee portal.
3. Receive your eligibility confirmation and scheduling notice.
4. Schedule your exam session at an approved Tennessee test site.
5. Pass both portions within the allowed attempt window (typically three attempts within 24 months of program completion).

Lead time varies by site. The major Tennessee cities run frequently — smaller sites run once or twice per month. Book your session as soon as you receive confirmation.

How much does the Tennessee CNA exam cost?

Tennessee keeps its combined exam fee near the lowest in the country. Itemized as published by Credentia:

• Written + Skills combined — ~$90
• Oral knowledge test (instead of written) — small upcharge over written fee
• Reschedule fee — ~$25
• Retest fee (per part) — ~$45
• State registry listing — typically included with the combined fee

Confirm current dollar amounts directly with Credentia before you apply — fees can shift. Training program costs are separate; see the section above for tuition ranges and add-on expenses.

Where to take the test in Tennessee

Credentia operates regional test sites across the state. The most established Tennessee sites are concentrated in the major metro areas:

• Nashville — the most frequent testing in the state, with multiple sessions per week at established sites. Book early during peak graduation months (May, June, August, December).
• Memphis — regular sessions, typically weekly or biweekly depending on demand. Several program-affiliated test sites serve the Mid-South.
• Knoxville — periodic testing, usually scheduled around East Tennessee community college intake cycles.
• Chattanooga — sessions scheduled through partner schools and regional sites; less frequent than Nashville or Memphis.
• Johnson City — limited dates, mostly serving the Tri-Cities region. Plan around the published schedule rather than waiting for a walk-in slot.

If you don't live near one of these cities, search Credentia's Tennessee site locator for additional rural and suburban test sites. Call the site directly to confirm the next available date before scheduling.

Scheduling and what to bring on test day

When you schedule your Tennessee NNAAP exam through Credentia, you'll pick a date for both the written/oral and skills portions. Many Tennessee candidates finish both parts in a single visit, but some smaller sites split them across two days — check your scheduling confirmation carefully.

On test day, bring:

• Two forms of identification, one with a photo (driver's license, passport, or state ID). Your name must match your Credentia registration exactly.
• Your Credentia confirmation/ATT letter — printed or digital.
• Proper clinical attire for the skills portion: scrubs, closed-toe non-slip shoes, and a watch with a second hand. No artificial nails, per federal nursing home guidelines.
• A watch, pen, and any supplies your confirmation letter specifies.

Arrive 30 minutes early. Late arrivals are typically turned away and counted as a no-show, which uses one of your attempt attempts and may require a reschedule fee.

After you pass: Tennessee certification and renewal

Once Credentia reports your passing results to Tennessee Department of Health, TDH adds you to the Tennessee Nurse Aide Registry. Your registry listing is your proof of certification — employers verify your status through the TDH online verification portal before onboarding.

Your Tennessee CNA certification is valid for 24 months. To renew, you must have performed paid nursing-related work within the certification period (a standard "work requirement" found in most states). TDH does not send renewal reminders — track your expiration date yourself and start the renewal process several weeks before it lapses. If you let your certification expire, TDH may require retraining and/or retesting before reinstating you.

Common pitfalls specific to Tennessee

• Vendor switch confusion. If you prepared for testing under Tennessee's previous vendor, double-check that your scheduled exam is with Credentia (NNAAP). Old registration accounts and study materials from the previous vendor may not carry over. Re-register on Credentia's Tennessee portal.
• Reciprocity is limited. Tennessee does not automatically reciprocate with several nearby states, including Florida, Georgia, and North Carolina. If you're moving into Tennessee with an active out-of-state CNA, contact TDH early — you may need to retest under Tennessee's vendor or complete additional steps.
• Name-match issues cause delays. Your registry record runs against your legal name. If your registration name, your driver's license, and your training program records don't match exactly, you'll hit delays. Fix discrepancies before you apply.
• The 16 clinical hours aren't optional. Some programs try to compress clinical hours or offer simulated-only alternatives. Tennessee requires 16 hours of supervised clinical practice in an approved clinical setting. Confirm your program delivers the full clinical requirement before enrolling.
• Renewal slips under the radar. Unlike some states, TDH does not send renewal reminders. Track your expiration date and your qualifying work hours yourself — letting the certification lapse means reinstating it is more expensive than just staying current.

FAQ

How long does it take to become a CNA in Tennessee? Most students finish a 75-hour Tennessee-approved training program in 3 to 6 weeks (full-time) or 6 to 10 weeks (part-time/evening). After training, expect another 2 to 4 weeks for Credentia exam scheduling and result processing.

How much does the Tennessee CNA test cost? Tennessee's combined written + skills NNAAP fee is approximately $90, one of the lowest combined fees in the country. Add training tuition ($600–$1,300) plus typical add-on expenses (background check, scrubs, supplies), and the total first-time cost lands around $900 to $1,800 depending on the program.

Does Tennessee have a challenge exam pathway? No. Tennessee requires completion of a TDH-approved nurse aide training program before you can sit for the NNAAP exam. Out-of-state CNAs with active certifications should pursue Tennessee's reciprocity process rather than the exam.

Do I need to renew my Tennessee CNA certification? Yes, every 24 months. To renew, you must show proof of paid nursing-related work during the certification period. If you don't meet the work requirement, TDH may require retraining, retesting, or both.

Can I transfer my Tennessee CNA to another state? Tennessee CNAs can apply for certification in other states through that state's reciprocity or endorsement process. Neighboring states have different rules — some accept Tennessee's NNAAP credential directly, others require additional steps. Always check the destination state's current requirements before you move.

Practice for the Tennessee CNA exam at /exam and /skills.