CNA Requirements in Tennessee
Step-by-step guide to becoming a Certified Nursing Assistant in Tennessee: the training, exam, background check, and timeline you need to plan for.
Find Tennessee CNA Training ProgramsTennessee CNA Requirements at a Glance
Minimum Age
16
Training Hours
75 hours
Time to Certification
5–10 weeks (training 4–6 weeks, exam and registry 2–4 weeks)
Exam Vendor
Headmaster LLP (D&S Diversified Technologies)
Becoming a CNA in Tennessee
Becoming a CNA in Tennessee is one of the more candidate-friendly pathways in the country, largely because of the state's unusual 120-day temporary work permit. After you complete the 75-hour state-approved training program, Tennessee lets you start working as a paid nurse aide under supervision for up to 120 days while you take the Headmaster competency exam. Most candidates use this window to begin earning a CNA wage right away, often 4 to 6 weeks into the process rather than waiting another 4 weeks for the exam and registry listing to complete.
Tennessee uses Headmaster LLP (D&S Diversified Technologies) as its CNA testing vendor — one of only a handful of states (along with Mississippi, Michigan, Arizona, and a few others) that does not use Prometric or Credentia. The two-part Headmaster exam costs approximately $97 total, which is one of the lower exam fees in the country. The Tennessee Board of Regents community college system runs the largest network of approved 75-hour training programs, typically priced $400 to $1,000 for residents, and several large Tennessee LTC chains sponsor training in exchange for a work commitment.
The background screening requires both a Tennessee Bureau of Investigation (TBI) state check and a federal FBI fingerprint clearance, with processing taking 1 to 3 weeks. Schedule your fingerprint appointment as early in training as possible so processing happens in parallel. Once you pass the Headmaster exam and your background check clears, you are added to the Tennessee Nurse Aide Registry, verifiable at apps.health.tn.gov/Licensure. The minimum age for CNA training in Tennessee is 16, with no formal high school diploma requirement from the state.
Detailed Tennessee CNA Requirements
Regulatory Body
Tennessee Department of Health, Office of Health Care Facilities
Minimum Age
You must be at least 16 years old to begin CNA training in Tennessee.
Education Requirement
No high school diploma or GED required by the Tennessee Department of Health, though most training programs require basic English literacy
Training Hours
75 hours required.
Minimum 75 hours total, including at least 16 hours of supervised clinical experience in a long-term care facility
Background Check
Tennessee Bureau of Investigation (TBI) state criminal background check plus federal FBI fingerprint clearance
Competency Exam
Administered by Headmaster LLP (D&S Diversified Technologies). Two-part exam: a written (or oral) knowledge test plus a hands-on skills evaluation. Tennessee also offers a 120-day temporary work permit while you complete the exam.
Cost: Approximately $97 total for both portions
Application Fee
Application included in Headmaster's testing packet; no separate state application fee
Total Cost Estimate
$0 (employer-sponsored) to $1,200 (private program)
Where You Can Work
Skilled nursing facilities, hospitals, home health agencies, hospice programs, assisted living facilities, and other Tennessee Department of Health-licensed healthcare settings
What's Different About Tennessee
Tennessee uses Headmaster (D&S Diversified Technologies) as its testing vendor and offers a 120-day temporary work permit so you can begin earning a CNA wage immediately after completing training, before you have passed the competency exam
How to Become a CNA in Tennessee: Step by Step
Confirm you meet the prerequisites
You must be at least 16, free of disqualifying convictions under Tennessee Department of Health rules, and able to read and write English. There is no formal high school diploma requirement from the state, though most training programs require basic English literacy and some require students to be 18.
Find a Tennessee-approved Nurse Aide Training Program
Look for a 75-hour state-approved program. Approved programs are run by the Tennessee Board of Regents community college system, the American Red Cross, nursing facilities, and private career schools. Many Tennessee LTC operators in Nashville, Memphis, Knoxville, and Chattanooga sponsor training in exchange for a work commitment.
Complete the 75-hour training program
Pass all 75 hours, including at least 16 hours of supervised clinical experience. Your program issues a completion certificate that registers you with Headmaster for the competency exam.
Apply for a 120-day temporary work permit (optional)
Tennessee uniquely offers a 120-day temporary work permit for candidates who have completed approved training but have not yet passed the competency exam. This permit lets you work as a nurse aide under supervision while preparing for and taking your exam. Most candidates use this window to earn a CNA wage right away. Apply through your employer and the Tennessee Department of Health.
Complete TBI and FBI background screening
Submit fingerprints for both Tennessee Bureau of Investigation (TBI) state check and federal FBI fingerprint clearance. Processing usually takes 1 to 3 weeks. Disqualifying offenses include violent felonies, theft, fraud, sexual offenses, drug trafficking, and vulnerable-adult abuse.
Schedule and pass the Headmaster competency exam
Submit your application through hdmaster.com/testing/cnatesting/tennessee and schedule the written/oral and skills exams. The total exam fee is approximately $97. You must pass both portions within 120 days if you are working under a temporary permit.
Get listed on the Tennessee Nurse Aide Registry
Once you pass both portions and your background check clears, Headmaster transmits your results to the Tennessee Department of Health and you are added to the state Nurse Aide Registry. You can verify your status at apps.health.tn.gov/Licensure. From that point you are fully certified and can work in any Tennessee licensed healthcare facility without the temporary permit.
Frequently Asked Questions
What are the minimum requirements to become a CNA in Tennessee?
You must be at least 16, complete a Tennessee-approved 75-hour Nurse Aide Training Program (with at least 16 clinical hours), pass a Tennessee Bureau of Investigation (TBI) state and federal FBI fingerprint background check, and pass both portions of the Headmaster competency exam. A high school diploma is not required by the state, though most training programs require basic English literacy.
What is Tennessee's 120-day temporary CNA permit?
Tennessee uniquely offers a 120-day temporary work permit for candidates who have completed an approved training program but have not yet passed the competency exam. The permit lets you work as a nurse aide under supervision in a licensed facility while you prepare for and take the Headmaster exam. Most candidates use this window to start earning a CNA wage 4 to 6 weeks earlier than they otherwise could. The permit expires automatically if you do not pass both portions of the exam within 120 days.
How long does it take to become a CNA in Tennessee?
Most full-time programs run 4 to 6 weeks. After training, you can either start working immediately under the 120-day temporary permit or wait to take the Headmaster exam (typically 2 to 4 weeks). Background check processing adds 1 to 3 weeks, usually done in parallel with training. Total time from program start to full certification is typically 5 to 10 weeks, though the temporary permit lets you start earning much earlier.
How much does it cost to become a CNA in Tennessee?
Tennessee Board of Regents community college programs typically cost $400 to $1,000 for residents. Private programs may run higher. Many Tennessee LTC operators sponsor training in exchange for a work commitment. The Headmaster exam costs approximately $97 for both portions — one of the lowest exam fees in the country. Total out-of-pocket cost ranges from $0 (employer-sponsored) to about $1,200.
Do I need a high school diploma to become a CNA in Tennessee?
Not from the state — the Tennessee Department of Health does not require a high school diploma or GED for CNA certification. However, many individual training programs do require a diploma, GED, or current high school enrollment. Several Tennessee high schools and Tennessee Colleges of Applied Technology offer CNA training as part of their healthcare career pathway starting at age 16.
Why does Tennessee use Headmaster instead of Prometric for the CNA exam?
Tennessee contracts with Headmaster LLP (D&S Diversified Technologies) to administer the nurse aide competency examination — this is different from the majority of states, which use Prometric or Credentia. Headmaster operates testing sites throughout Tennessee, and candidates schedule through hdmaster.com/testing/cnatesting/tennessee. The two-part exam covers a written (or oral) knowledge test and a hands-on skills evaluation, both of which must be passed to be added to the registry.
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