To be issued a certificate as an advanced practice registered nurse with privileges to hold oneself out as an Advanced Practice Registered Nurse (APRN), the applicant must meet all of the following requirements:

1. (1) Has a current, unencumbered license as a registered nurse under T.C.A. Title 63, Chapter 7, or current unencumbered licensure as a registered nurse with the multistate licensure privilege to practice in Tennessee;

2. (2) Has completed preparation in advanced practice nursing at the post-basic professional nursing level and holds a master’s degree or higher in a nursing specialty. A master’s degree or higher in a nursing specialty is not required if:

   1. (a) National certification in a nursing specialty and licensure in Tennessee as a registered nurse was obtained prior to July 1, 2005; or
   2. (b) National certification in a nursing specialty and licensure as a registered nurse with the multistate licensure privilege to practice in Tennessee was obtained prior to July 1, 2005; and
3. (3) Has a current national specialty certification in the appropriate nursing specialty area from a certifying body approved by the Board.
4. (4) However, notwithstanding the previous requirements, a nurse anesthetist shall be eligible for a certificate to practice as an advanced practice registered nurse if the nurse anesthetist graduated prior to January 1, 1999, from a nurse anesthesia educational program approved by the American Association of Nurse Anesthetists Council on Accreditation.

Authority: T.C.A. §§ 63-7-103, 63-7-123, 63-7-126, and 63-7-207. Administrative History: Original rule filed April 5, 1982; effective May 20, 1982. Amendment filed February 14, 1984; effective March 15, 1984. Amendment filed November 4, 1985; effective December 4, 1985. Amendment filed August 7, 1992; effective September 21, 1992. Amendment filed February 21, 1996; effective May 6, 1996. Amendment filed March 25, 1999; effective June 8, 1999. Repeal and new rule filed May 28, 2004; effective August 11, 2004. Amendment filed December 16, 2005; effective March 1, 2006. Repeal and new rules filed July 10, 2024; effective October 8, 2024.