Tennessee CNA Registry & TMU
Lookup, Renewal & Reciprocity — Career Academy Memphis
Last updated: May 2026
What Is the Tennessee Nurse Aide Registry?
The Tennessee Nurse Aide Registry is the official state list of every active Certified Nursing Assistant in Tennessee. It's maintained by the Tennessee Department of Health and administered through TMU (operated by Headmaster, LLC), the private vendor that operates the registry's database and public lookup portal at tn.tmutest.com.
A CNA must appear on the registry in good standing to legally work in any Medicare- or Medicaid-certified Tennessee facility, per federal regulation 42 CFR 483.156 and Tennessee Code Annotated § 68-11-1601 et seq.
Sources: Tennessee Department of Health (state authority); TMU public registry portal; 42 CFR 483.156 (federal Nurse Aide Registry requirements).
TMU vs. Tennessee Department of Health — Who Does What
| Tennessee Department of Health | TMU / Headmaster |
|---|---|
| Statutory authority over the Nurse Aide Registry | Vendor that operates the registry database |
| Issues CNA certifications and rules on registry standing | Hosts the public lookup portal at tn.tmutest.com |
| Reviews reciprocity applications from out-of-state CNAs | Administers the TN CNA state competency exam |
| Handles findings (abuse, neglect, theft) appeals | Registers training programs and exam testing sites |
TMU handles the day-to-day operational pieces (testing, the lookup portal, training-program registration), but every CNA license is ultimately issued by the Tennessee Department of Health. If you need to dispute a finding or appeal a registry decision, contact TDH directly — TMU cannot override TDH actions.
How to Look Up a CNA License in Tennessee
- 1Open the TMU portal. Go to tn.tmutest.com — the official lookup site for the Tennessee Nurse Aide Registry.
- 2Select the public registry search. No login or account is required.
- 3Enter the CNA's information. First name, last name, and date of birth — or the CNA registry number if you have it.
- 4Review the result. The portal returns certification status, expiration date, registry number, and any findings (abuse, neglect, theft). For employment, verify that status shows Active and there are no findings.
The lookup is free and returns instantly. Tennessee employers in Medicare/Medicaid-certified facilities are legally required to verify good standing before hiring or assigning a CNA to patient care.
How to Renew Your Tennessee CNA License
Tennessee CNA “renewal” is not an application or fee — it's a work requirement. To stay active on the registry, a CNA must work at least 8 hours of paid nurse aide duties every 24 months.
If you're working as a CNA
Your employer reports your hours to TMU automatically. Status stays Active as long as 8+ paid hours are logged within any rolling 24-month period.
If your status has lapsed
You'll need to retake the full 120-hour CNA training program plus the state competency exam. There is no shorter “refresher” path under current TN rules.
To check your renewal status, look up your name on tn.tmutest.com and review the expiration date.
Tennessee CNA Reciprocity
Coming to Tennessee from another state
Out-of-state CNAs apply for placement on the Tennessee Nurse Aide Registry through a reciprocity / endorsement application filed with the Tennessee Department of Health. The application requires proof of current certification in good standing in another state. Approval typically takes 2–6 weeks. No retesting is required if your originating state's program met the federal 75-hour minimum — which is true of every state.
Leaving Tennessee for another state
Tennessee's 120-hour CNA program exceeds the federal 75-hour minimum, so TN CNAs in good standing can apply for reciprocity in virtually any other state. Each state has its own application process, but most accept TN CNAs via straightforward endorsement.
Common bordering-state reciprocity:
- Mississippi — via the Mississippi State Department of Health. Required for Southaven, Olive Branch, and other DeSoto County jobs — see CNA classes near Southaven for details.
- Arkansas — via the Arkansas Office of Long Term Care Nurse Aide Registry.
- Kentucky — via the Kentucky Medicaid Nurse Aide Registry administered by KMA Records Department.
What “Good Standing” Means
A CNA is in good standing when:
- Their certification is Active (not expired or revoked)
- There are no findings entered against them — meaning no documented abuse, neglect, or theft incidents substantiated by an investigation
- All required continuing-employment hours have been logged (8 hours of paid nurse aide work in the past 24 months)
Federal law (42 CFR 483.156) prohibits Medicare/Medicaid-certified facilities from employing CNAs who are not in good standing. Findings are permanent on the registry unless successfully appealed.
Not yet certified? Start your training.
To get on the Tennessee Nurse Aide Registry, you need to complete a state-approved 120-hour CNA training program and pass the state competency exam. Career Academy is a Tennessee Higher Education Commission–authorized CNA school (THEC Authorization #2580) and a registered state exam testing site.
See class start datesTN CNA Registry & TMU — Frequently Asked Questions
What is the Tennessee Nurse Aide Registry?
The Tennessee Nurse Aide Registry is the official state list of every active Certified Nursing Assistant in Tennessee. It's maintained by the Tennessee Department of Health and administered through TMU (the testing and credentialing vendor that operates the registry's database and lookup portal). A CNA must be on the registry in good standing to work in any Medicare/Medicaid-certified Tennessee facility.
What is TMU and how does it relate to the TN CNA registry?
TMU is the private vendor (operated by Headmaster, LLC, formerly D&S Diversified Technologies) that administers the Tennessee Nurse Aide Registry on behalf of the Tennessee Department of Health. TMU handles registry data, the public license-lookup portal at tn.tmutest.com, and CNA state exam administration in Tennessee and several other states. When CNAs or employers say they're "looking someone up on TMU," they mean checking the TN Nurse Aide Registry via TMU's portal.
How do I look up a CNA license in Tennessee?
Visit the TMU public registry portal (tn.tmutest.com) and search by the CNA's first name, last name, and date of birth — or by the CNA registry number if you have it. The portal returns the certification status, expiration date, and whether the CNA is in good standing. The lookup is free and does not require an account.
How do I renew my CNA license in Tennessee?
Tennessee CNAs must work at least 8 hours of paid nurse aide duties every 24 months to stay active on the registry. Renewal happens automatically when the employer reports those hours — there is no separate renewal application or fee for an active CNA. If you have not worked 8+ paid hours as a CNA in 24 months, your status moves to expired and you'll need to retest.
What does "good standing" on the TN registry mean?
A CNA is in good standing if their certification is active (not expired or revoked) and has no abuse, neglect, or theft finding entered against them. Employers verify good standing through the TMU portal before hiring. Federal law (42 CFR 483.156) prohibits Medicare/Medicaid-certified facilities from employing CNAs who are not in good standing on the state registry.
Can I work in Tennessee with a CNA license from another state?
Yes, through reciprocity / endorsement. Out-of-state CNAs apply for placement on the Tennessee Nurse Aide Registry by submitting a reciprocity application to the Tennessee Department of Health with proof of current certification in good standing in another state. Approval typically takes 2–6 weeks. No retesting is required if the originating state's program met federal 75-hour minimum standards.
Can I take my Tennessee CNA license to another state?
Yes. Tennessee's 120-hour CNA program exceeds the federal 75-hour minimum, so TN CNAs in good standing can apply for reciprocity in virtually any other state. Each state has its own reciprocity application process — typically a form, fee, and proof of TN registry status. Mississippi, Arkansas, and Kentucky all accept TN CNAs via standard endorsement.
What happens if my CNA license expires in Tennessee?
If you have not worked 8+ paid nurse aide hours in 24 months, your status becomes expired and you cannot work as a CNA in TN until reactivated. Reactivation requires either retaking the full 120-hour training program plus the state exam, or in some cases passing the state competency exam alone. Career Academy can place expired CNAs into the next available cohort.
Is the Tennessee Nurse Aide Registry the same as the TN Health Care Worker Registry?
No. The Tennessee Nurse Aide Registry is specifically for CNAs and lists their certification status. The Tennessee Department of Health also maintains separate listings for other healthcare workers (LPNs, RNs, etc.) through different licensure boards. CNA verification only happens via the Nurse Aide Registry (TMU portal).
Authoritative Sources
- Tennessee Department of Health — statutory authority over the TN Nurse Aide Registry.
- TMU Public Registry Portal (tn.tmutest.com) — CNA license lookup and exam administration.
- 42 CFR 483.156 — federal Nurse Aide Registry requirements.
- Tennessee Comprehensive Rules — Nurse Aide — current state regulations governing the registry.
Learn More
- How to Become a CNA in Tennessee — full step-by-step from application to state exam
- CNA State Test in Tennessee — what to expect on exam day
- CNA Classes in Memphis — how the training program works
- CNA Classes Near Southaven, MS — TN-MS reciprocity practical guide
Written by Career Academy staff — CNA educators with 10+ years of experience training nursing assistants in Memphis, TN.
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