🚫 6 Wks
Not Possible
10–12
Months (Fastest Real)
$53K+
Avg. TN LPN Salary
~$5K
Starting Tuition
What Are the Fastest Real LPN Programs in Tennessee?
Here are the accredited programs that actually exist in Tennessee:
- Accelerated full-time (10–12 months): Classes and clinicals 4–5 days/week. The fastest legitimate path. See our accelerated programs guide →
- Standard full-time (12–14 months): The most common format at community colleges and technical schools
- Hybrid/online theory (11–16 months): Study lectures at home, attend clinicals on set days
- Evening/weekend tracks (14–18 months): Designed for working adults who can't attend daytime classes
Community colleges in Tennessee offer some of the most affordable paths — often under $8,000 total for in-district students.
Accredited LPN Schools in Tennessee
All schools listed are accredited and approved by the Tennessee Board of Nursing. Verify enrollment status directly with each school.
TN College of Applied Tech – Nashville
📍 Nashville
Length: 12 moFormat: Online theory + local clinicals
Cost: ~$5,200Clinical: Davidson County
Volunteer State CC
📍 Gallatin
Length: 12 moFormat: Online theory + local clinicals
Cost: ~$5,400Clinical: Sumner County
Tennessee LPN Licensure Requirements
| Requirement | Detail |
|---|---|
| Governing Body | Tennessee Board of Nursing |
| Program Accreditation | Must be state board-approved |
| Minimum Clinical Hours | 400 hours |
| Licensure Exam | NCLEX-PN (Pearson VUE) |
| Background Check | Required before clinicals |
| CPR / BLS | Required before clinical start |
| Drug Screening | Required by most facilities |
| Immunizations | Per program/facility requirements |
LPN Salary in Tennessee
Licensed Practical Nurses in Tennessee earn an average of $53,490/year ($25.72/hour) according to the BLS.
- Nashville: $56,800/year
- Memphis: $54,200/year
- Knoxville: $53,400/year
- Top employers: Skilled nursing facilities, home health, hospitals, physician offices
Ready to advance? Explore LPN-to-RN bridge programs →
Frequently Asked Questions
State boards require hundreds of supervised clinical hours. The fastest accredited programs take 10–12 months full-time, with part-time options at 15–18 months. Read about legitimate accelerated options →
An accredited LPN program is approved by your state's Board of Nursing and meets all clinical hour, curriculum, and faculty requirements. Graduates of accredited programs are eligible to sit for the NCLEX-PN. Programs without Board approval cannot lead to licensure — avoid them regardless of price or promises.
The fastest accredited programs run 10–12 months full-time with an accelerated schedule (4–5 days/week). Some technical colleges offer 10-month tracks. Part-time or evening programs take 14–18 months.
Red flags: promising completion in under 10 months, not approved by your state board of nursing, no clinical component, "guaranteed" NCLEX pass, or accreditation from an unrecognized body. Always verify with the Tennessee Board of Nursing before enrolling.
Hybrid programs with online theory + in-person clinicals are legitimate and board-approved. Any program claiming 100% online with no clinical requirement is not accredited and won't qualify you for NCLEX-PN.
⚠️ Data Disclaimer: Salary figures, tuition, and school info are from public sources and intended as guidance. Verify with the school and Tennessee Board of Nursing before enrolling. This page may contain affiliate links.