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Tennessee (TN)

Tennessee Medical License

Get licensed to practice medicine in Tennessee. 16th largest state by population. IMLC member state for expedited licensure.

Population
7,050,000
Difficulty
Low
  • IMLC Compact member (joined 2017)
  • Telehealth: Allowed
  • CME: 40 hours per 2-year cycle (all Category 1)

Last updated 2025-12-30 · verified

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MD board

Tennessee Board of Medical Examiners

3-5 business days for general inquiries

Official Website ↗

Quick answer

Quick Answer: Tennessee Medical License

Time to License
4-8 weeks
Total Cost
$385-$625
CME Requirements
40 hours per 2-year cycle (all Category 1)
IMLC Compact
Yes - expedited licensing available

Difficulty: Low Telehealth: Allowed

Board-specific requirements

Tennessee MD and DO Board Details

Tennessee maintains separate licensing boards for MD (allopathic) and DO (osteopathic) physicians. Both boards regulate independently with different fees, contact information, and CME category requirements.

MD physicians

Tennessee Board of Medical Examiners

3-5 business days for general inquiries

Time To Approval
4-8 weeks (standard), 3-4 weeks (IMLC)
Total Cost Range
$385-$625
Application Fee
$385
State Specific Exam Required
No
Reciprocal Licensing
Yes
Cme Requirements
40 hours per 2-year cycle (all Category 1)
License Renewal Period
2
Renewal Cost
$225
Renewal Deadline
Biennial renewal based on birth month
Late Fee
$200
Note
MD physicians: Application $385 per TN Board of Medical Examiners. Renewal $225 biennially. CME: 40 Category 1 hours per 2-year cycle including 2 hours controlled substance prescribing.

CME details

40 hours per 2 years

Total Required
40 hours per 2-year cycle
Category1
All 40 hours must be Category 1
  • 2 hours of controlled substance prescribing CME per cycle
  • CME relevant to practice area

Reporting: Self-certification upon renewal with random audits

Official Website ↗

DO physicians

Tennessee Board of Osteopathic Examination

3-5 business days for general inquiries

Time To Approval
4-8 weeks (standard), 3-4 weeks (IMLC)
Total Cost Range
$410-$650
Application Fee
$410
State Specific Exam Required
No
Reciprocal Licensing
Yes
Cme Requirements
40 hours per 2-year cycle (all AOA 1A or 2A)
License Renewal Period
2
Renewal Cost
$310
Renewal Deadline
Biennial renewal based on birth month
Late Fee
Contact board for late fee information
Note
DO physicians: Application $410 per TN Board of Osteopathic Examination. Renewal $310 biennially. CME: 40 AOA 1A or 2A hours per 2-year cycle including 2 hours prescribing practices.

CME details

40 hours per 2 years

Total Required
40 hours per 2-year cycle
Category1
All hours must be AOA Category 1A or 2A
  • 2 hours on prescribing practices per cycle
  • CME relevant to osteopathic practice

Reporting: Self-certification upon renewal with random audits

Official Website ↗

Board Comparison

Shared requirements

  • Both boards participate in IMLC (joined 2017)
  • Both require ECFMG certification for international medical graduates
  • Both require fingerprinting through Tennessee Bureau of Investigation and FBI
  • Both require 3 professional references
  • Both require 40 CME hours per 2-year cycle
  • Both require controlled substance prescribing CME (2 hours)
  • Both require CSMD (Tennessee Controlled Substance Monitoring Database) registration

Key differences

  • Different CME category requirements: MD (all Category 1) vs DO (all AOA 1A or 2A)
  • Different application fees: MD $385 vs DO $410
  • Different renewal fees: MD $225 vs DO $310
  • Different board contact information
  • Different board websites and application portals

Healthcare market

Tennessee Healthcare Market

Key market data for physicians considering Tennessee.

Healthcare Market

$45+ billion annually

Physician Demand

High

Primary Care Avg.

$235,000 - $280,000

Unique Opportunities in Tennessee

  • Nashville is a major healthcare industry hub (HCA headquarters)
  • No state income tax on wages
  • Separate MD and DO licensing boards with different requirements
  • Strong hospital system employment
  • Growing population and healthcare demand
  • Lower cost of living than national average

Application path

Tennessee License Requirements

Complete requirements for your TN medical license.

Medical Education

Must graduate from LCME-accredited (MD) or AOA-accredited (DO) medical school, or approved international school. Both boards accept both types of degrees.

  • Official transcripts through FCVS or direct from medical school

Postgraduate Training

Minimum 1 year(s) required

  • MD Board: Minimum of 1 year ACGME-accredited training. DO Board: Minimum of 1 year ACGME or AOA-accredited training

Licensing Exams

MD Board: Must pass USMLE Steps 1, 2 CK, and 3

  • COMLEX accepted: DO Board accepts COMLEX-USA or USMLE. MD Board accepts USMLE.

Background Check

Fingerprinting required

  • Fingerprinting through Tennessee Bureau of Investigation and FBI for both boards

Professional References

3 references required

  • Licensed physicians
  • Residency program directors

Avoid delays

Common Pitfalls to Avoid

Don't let these common issues delay your Tennessee license.

Applying to Wrong Board

Tennessee has separate MD and DO boards. Physicians may not realize they should apply to the board corresponding to their degree type.

Solution: MD graduates apply to Tennessee Board of Medical Examiners. DO graduates apply to Tennessee Board of Osteopathic Examination. Check board websites carefully.

Missing Controlled Substance Training

Tennessee requires specific controlled substance prescribing CME that may not be required elsewhere.

Solution: Complete 2-hour controlled substance prescribing course for MD board or prescribing practices course for DO board

CME Category Confusion

MD board requires Category 1, DO board requires AOA 1A or 2A. Different tracking systems cause confusion.

Solution: MD physicians: Track 40 Category 1 hours per 2 years. DO physicians: Track 40 AOA 1A or 2A hours per 2 years. Both need controlled substance CME.

CSMD Registration Delay

Physicians may not realize CSMD registration is required before prescribing controlled substances.

Solution: Register for CSMD immediately upon receiving license from either board

Common questions

Tennessee Licensing FAQ

Common questions about getting licensed in Tennessee.

I'm an MD - which Tennessee board do I apply to?

MD (allopathic) physicians apply to the Tennessee Board of Medical Examiners (tn.gov/health/health-professionals/health-professional-boards/me-board.html). Application fee is $385, biennial renewal is $225. You'll need 40 Category 1 CME hours per 2-year cycle.

I'm a DO - which Tennessee board do I apply to?

DO (osteopathic) physicians apply to the Tennessee Board of Osteopathic Examination (tn.gov/health/health-program-areas/health-professional-boards/osteo-board.html). Application fee is $410, biennial renewal is $310. You'll need 40 AOA Category 1A or 2A CME hours per 2-year cycle.

How long does it take to get a Tennessee medical license?

Both MD and DO boards: 4-8 weeks standard processing, 3-4 weeks via IMLC. Both boards joined IMLC in 2017. Tennessee is known for efficient processing.

Is Tennessee part of the Interstate Medical Licensure Compact (IMLC)?

Yes! Both the MD and DO boards joined IMLC in 2017. Eligible physicians can use the expedited pathway regardless of degree type.

What are the CME requirements for Tennessee physicians?

Both MD and DO physicians: 40 hours per 2-year cycle. MD physicians: All Category 1 including 2 hours controlled substance prescribing. DO physicians: All AOA 1A or 2A including 2 hours prescribing practices. Requirements differ by board.

Does Tennessee have state income tax?

No, Tennessee has no state income tax on wages, which significantly increases take-home pay for physicians.

What is the total cost for a Tennessee medical license?

MD Board: $385 application + $225 biennial renewal. DO Board: $410 application + $310 biennial renewal. Both boards have reasonable fees compared to national averages.

Why does Tennessee have two separate medical boards?

Tennessee is one of 12 states that maintains separate regulatory boards for allopathic (MD) and osteopathic (DO) physicians. This is a legacy structure from when the two types of medical education were more distinct. Both boards have equivalent licensing authority.

Related states

Also Considering These States?

Many providers licensed in Tennessee also practice in these states.

Georgia License

Neighboring Southeast state; similar market conditions; IMLC member

View state guide

Kentucky License

Neighboring state; physicians often licensed in both

View state guide

North Carolina License

Neighboring state; IMLC member; growing healthcare market

View state guide

Oklahoma License

Also has separate MD/DO boards; IMLC member; comparison state

View state guide

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