# Tenn. Code Ann. § 63-16-104: Qualifications for licensure > Tennessee · Statutes · In force URL: https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_TN_T63_C16_S63-16-104 ## Section - **Citation:** Tenn. Code Ann. § 63-16-104 - **Heading:** Qualifications for licensure - **Jurisdiction:** Tennessee - **Kind:** Statutes - **Status:** In force - **Text as of:** August 14, 2026 - **Source:** Compiled text - **Location:** TN Code / Title 63 / Chapter 16 / Section 63-16-104 ## Text (a) (1) An applicant for a license shall submit evidence of good moral character and suitability prescribed by the board and that the applicant: (A) Is at least eighteen (18) years of age; (B) Is a citizen of the United States or legally in this country; (C) Has completed preliminary education satisfactory to the board; and (D) Has paid a nonrefundable application fee as set annually by the board no later than fifty (50) days in advance of the next scheduled examination. (2) Such applicant, upon notification by the board that the applicant has fulfilled the requirements for admission and upon payment of an examination fee as set annually by the board shall be admitted to the examination. (3) No applicant for license as a nursing home administrator shall be admitted to such licensing examination, nor be entitled to a license or to be certified to the state licensing board for issuance of a license as a nursing home administrator, unless the applicant has graduated from a high school or secondary school approved by the state in which the school is located or has submitted a certificate indicating that the applicant has obtained a high school diploma or high school equivalency credential approved by the state board of education. (b) The board has the authority to grant a temporary license, not to exceed six (6) months, to an individual applying for licensure to fill a position of nursing home administrator that unexpectedly becomes vacant. To receive a temporary license, the individual must either be licensed in another state or meet the majority of the board's standards for licensure. If the individual holding a temporary license must take the board required examination to be fully licensed and fails to achieve the required scores, the temporary license shall be revoked. Amended by 2023 Tenn. Acts, ch. 114,s 52, eff. 7/1/2023. Acts 1970, ch. 565, § 4; impl. am. Acts 1971, ch. 161, § 3; Acts 1976, ch. 444, § 1; 1981, ch. 464, § 1; T.C.A., § 63-1604; Acts 1987, ch. 247, §§ 1, 2, 8; 1989, ch. 523, §§ 83, 84. (a) (1) An applicant for a license shall submit evidence of good moral character and suitability prescribed by the board and that the applicant: (A) Is at least eighteen (18) years of age; (B) Is a citizen of the United States or legally in this country; (C) Has completed preliminary education satisfactory to the board; and (D) Has paid a nonrefundable application fee as set annually by the board no later than fifty (50) days in advance of the next scheduled examination. (2) Such applicant, upon notification by the board that the applicant has fulfilled the requirements for admission and upon payment of an examination fee as set annually by the board shall be admitted to the examination. (3) No applicant for license as a nursing home administrator shall be admitted to such licensing examination, nor be entitled to a license or to be certified to the state licensing board for issuance of a license as a nursing home administrator, unless the applicant has graduated from a high school or secondary school approved by the state in which the school is located or has submitted a certificate indicating that the applicant has obtained a high school diploma or high school equivalency credential approved by the state board of education. certified to the state licensing board for issuance of a license as a nursing home administrator, unless the applicant has graduated from a high school or secondary school approved by the state in which the school is located or has submitted a certificate indicating that the applicant has obtained a high school diploma or high school equivalency credential approved by the state board of education. (1) An applicant for a license shall submit evidence of good moral character and suitability prescribed by the board and that the applicant: (A) Is at least eighteen (18) years of age; (B) Is a citizen of the United States or legally in this country; (C) Has completed preliminary education satisfactory to the board; and (D) Has paid a nonrefundable application fee as set annually by the board no later than fifty (50) days in advance of the next scheduled examination. (A) Is at least eighteen (18) years of age; (B) Is a citizen of the United States or legally in this country; (C) Has completed preliminary education satisfactory to the board; and (D) Has paid a nonrefundable application fee as set annually by the board no later than fifty (50) days in advance of the next scheduled examination. (2) Such applicant, upon notification by the board that the applicant has fulfilled the requirements for admission and upon payment of an examination fee as set annually by the board shall be admitted to the examination. (3) No applicant for license as a nursing home administrator shall be admitted to such licensing examination, nor be entitled to a license or to be certified to the state licensing board for issuance of a license as a nursing home administrator, unless the applicant has graduated from a high school or secondary school approved by the state in which the school is located or has submitted a certificate indicating that the applicant has obtained a high school diploma or high school equivalency credential approved by the state board of education. (b) The board has the authority to grant a temporary license, not to exceed six (6) months, to an individual applying for licensure to fill a position of nursing home administrator that unexpectedly becomes vacant. To receive a temporary license, the individual must either be licensed in another state or meet the majority of the board's standards for licensure. If the individual holding a temporary license must take the board required examination to be fully licensed and fails to achieve the required scores, the temporary license shall be revoked. Amended by 2023 Tenn. Acts, ch. 114,s 52, eff. 7/1/2023. Acts 1970, ch. 565, § 4; impl. am. Acts 1971, ch. 161, § 3; Acts 1976, ch. 444, § 1; 1981, ch. 464, § 1; T.C.A., § 63-1604; Acts 1987, ch. 247, §§ 1, 2, 8; 1989, ch. 523, §§ 83, 84. ## Nearby sections - [Tenn. Code Ann. § 63-16-101 Chapter definitions](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_TN_T63_C16_S63-16-101.md) - [Tenn. Code Ann. § 63-16-102 Board of examiners - Composition](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_TN_T63_C16_S63-16-102.md) - [Tenn. Code Ann. § 63-16-103 Duties of the board](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_TN_T63_C16_S63-16-103.md) - [Tenn. Code Ann. § 63-16-104 Qualifications for licensure](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_TN_T63_C16_S63-16-104.md) - [Tenn. Code Ann. § 63-16-105 Examination for license](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_TN_T63_C16_S63-16-105.md) - [Tenn. Code Ann. § 63-16-106 License issuance and registration](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_TN_T63_C16_S63-16-106.md) - [Tenn. Code Ann. § 63-16-107 Certificates of registration - Renewal of registration - Continuing education](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_TN_T63_C16_S63-16-107.md) - [Tenn. Code Ann. § 63-16-108 Suspension or revocation of license or registration - Discipline - Reissuance of license or registration](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_TN_T63_C16_S63-16-108.md) - [Tenn. Code Ann. § 63-16-109 Reciprocity](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_TN_T63_C16_S63-16-109.md) - [Tenn. Code Ann. § 63-16-110 Certain religious groups exempt](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_TN_T63_C16_S63-16-110.md) - [Tenn. Code Ann. § 63-16-111 Penalties](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_TN_T63_C16_S63-16-111.md) - [Tenn. Code Ann. § 63-16-112 Enjoining violations](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_TN_T63_C16_S63-16-112.md) - [Tenn. Code Ann. § 63-16-113 Disposition of fines and receipts - Budgetary allotments](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_TN_T63_C16_S63-16-113.md) - [Tenn. Code Ann. § 63-16-114 Temporary administration following unexpected loss of administrator](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_TN_T63_C16_S63-16-114.md) --- Source: Frix Law Library, https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_TN_T63_C16_S63-16-104. Check the current official text before relying on it. Not legal advice.