Certifications & licenses in Tennessee

Compare requirements, salaries, and career paths for 28 professional credentials in TN. Data from BLS OEWS and primary state licensing sources.

Tracked careers

Top-paying

Dental Hygienist

$84,640

insights

What's different about Tennessee

Licensing landscape in Tennessee

Tennessee Department of Commerce & Insurance, Division of Regulatory Boards

distinct boards

MASSAGE THERAPY

As of April 2024, Tennessee increased the minimum required massage therapy training from 500 to 650 hours.

Tennessee Board of Massage Licensure

COSMETOLOGY

A full cosmetologist license in Tennessee requires the completion of 1,500 hours of practice and theory.

Tennessee Board of Cosmetology and Barber Examiners

CONTRACTORS

A contractor's license is required for any project totaling $25,000 or more, including materials and labor.

Tennessee Board for Licensing Contractors

EMT

Effective July 1, 2024, Tennessee implemented a new state practical exam for EMTs, replacing the NREMT psychomotor exam.

Tennessee Department of Health, Office of EMS

Metro concentration of certified careers

Where certified careers cluster

Memphis, TN-MS-AR

109,430 jobs

Transportation and Material Moving

BLS OEWS May 2024

Nashville-Davidson--Murfreesboro--Franklin, TN

13.4% of local area employment

Office and Administrative Support

BLS OEWS May 2024

Knoxville, TN

32,940 jobs

Production

BLS OEWS May 2024

Cost-of-living adjusted earnings in Tennessee

What nominal wages are actually worth in Tennessee

90.1

COL composite index

MERIC 2025 Annual Averages

82.4

Housing index

9th lowest in US

National rank

Tennessee's cost of living is about 10% below the national average, with housing costs more than 17% lower.

Regional comparison: Tennessee vs. neighbors

Tennessee vs. neighboring states

Certified Nursing Assistant · Median annual wage

State	Median annual wage	vs TN
TN	$37,990	—
KY	$38,370	+1% vs TN
VA	$43,200	+14% vs TN
NC	$38,460	+1% vs TN
GA	$37,680	-1% vs TN
AL	$34,140	-10% vs TN
MS	$31,520	-17% vs TN
AR	$34,430	-9% vs TN
MO	$37,680	-1% vs TN

Massage Therapist · Required training hours

State	Required training hours	vs TN
TN	650 hours	—
KY	600 hours	-50 hours
VA	500 hours	-150 hours
NC	650 hours	0 hours
GA	500 hours	-150 hours
AL	650 hours	0 hours
MS	700 hours	+50 hours
AR	500 hours	-150 hours
MO	500 hours	-150 hours

health_and_safety

Healthcare in Tennessee

14 paths

Career	License	Median salary	Time	Est. cost
Certified Nursing Assistant (CNA)	Required	$37,990	3-8 weeks	—
Dental Assistant	Required	$46,720	3-6 months	—
EMT	Required	$40,330	3-6 months	—
Licensed Practical Nurse (LPN)	Required	$58,870	1-2 years	—
Medical Assistant	No	$39,570	9-24 months	—
Medical Coder	No	$48,780	4-24 months	—
Paramedic	Required	$57,690	1-2 years	—
Pharmacy Technician	Required	$41,920	8 weeks	—
Phlebotomist	No	$38,550	4-16 weeks	—
Radiology Technologist	Required	$64,630	2 years	—
Registered Nurse (RN)	Required	$81,500	2-4 years	—
Respiratory Therapist	Required	$72,140	2-4 years	—
Surgical Technologist	No	$60,530	12-24 months	—
Dental Hygienist	Required	$84,640	2-4 years	—

construction

Skilled Trades in Tennessee

5 paths

Career	License	Median salary	Time	Est. cost
CDL Truck Driver	Required	$58,620	3-8 weeks	—
Electrician	Required	$61,090	4 years	—
HVAC Technician	Required	$55,490	4 years	—
Plumber	Required	$58,600	4 years	$400
Welder	No	$48,040	6-12 months	—

spa

Personal Care & Wellness in Tennessee

4 paths

Career	License	Median salary	Time	Est. cost
Personal Trainer	No	$47,380	3-6 months	—
Barber	Required	$24,690	8-12 months	—
Cosmetologist	Required	$31,310	9-12 months	—
Massage Therapist	Required	$50,070	6-12 months	—

business_center

Professional & Business in Tennessee

5 paths

Career	License	Median salary	Time	Est. cost
CPA (Certified Public Accountant)	Required	$76,840	1-3 years	$1,200
Notary Public	Required	—	8-10 weeks	$75
Paralegal	No	$58,820	12 months	—
Insurance Agent	Required	$57,120	2-4 weeks	—
Real Estate Agent	Required	$46,250	3-5 months	—