Tennessee

Tennessee has a universal license recognition law. As a Rhode Island-licensed professional, your license is generally recognized in Tennessee, subject to meeting basic eligibility requirements. This is the strongest form of license portability available. Strong compact participation; universal recognition enacted.

Tennessee is a member of 6 compacts: Nurse Licensure Compact, Interstate Medical Licensure Compact, Psychology Interjurisdictional Compact, Physical Therapy Compact, EMS Compact (REPLICA), Counseling Compact. You share 3 of these with Rhode Island: Nurse Licensure Compact, Psychology Interjurisdictional Compact, Counseling Compact.

Both Rhode Island and Tennessee are members of the Nurse Licensure Compact (NLC). If you hold a multistate nursing license from Rhode Island, you can practice in Tennessee without obtaining a separate license.

Teaching license portability from Rhode Island to Tennessee: NASDTEC member; reciprocal certification with most states. Most states participate in the NASDTEC Interstate Agreement, but specific requirements vary by state and endorsement area.

Tennessee supports PE license comity through NCEES. Licensed Professional Engineers from Rhode Island can apply for licensure by comity, which is a streamlined process using your NCEES Record. This typically requires verifying your education, exam passage, and experience meet Tennessee's requirements.

Universal recognition covers military spouses; expedited processing. Under the Servicemembers Civil Relief Act (SCRA), updated December 2024, all states are now required to recognize valid professional licenses from other states for military personnel and their spouses.

Joined Counseling Compact 2024.

For the most current licensing requirements and compact participation details, visit the official Tennessee licensing page at https://www.tn.gov/commerce.html. Requirements and compact memberships may change as new legislation is enacted.