Transfer Your Pharmacy License to Tennessee: Reciprocity & Endorsement (2026)
Last verified: 2026-07-21 · source: Tennessee Board of Pharmacy ↗
A pharmacist license transfers to Tennessee through the NABP Electronic Licensure Transfer Program: NABP verifies your active license and NAPLEX history in your e-Profile and forwards them to the Tennessee Board of Pharmacy, which issues the license once you pass its law exam. NAPLEX is not retaken; the score and license history transfer via the NABP eLTP e-Profile. Tennessee requires passing the MPJE before the reciprocal license is granted. TN had not adopted the Uniform MPJE (UMPJE) as of 2026-07-21.. The NAPLEX is not retaken. Tennessee application fee: $485 (Tennessee reciprocal/license-transfer application fee $485 (non-refundable; paid by check or money order to the board — cannot be paid online); NABP eLTP fees ($300 application + $100 per jurisdiction, 2026-07-21) and the MPJE exam fee are separate).
Moving to Tennessee from a specific state?
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Verdict
Licensure by endorsement
The move into Tennessee runs on two steps in sequence. First the NABP eLTP carries your license and NAPLEX record to the Tennessee Board of Pharmacy; then Tennessee's own law exam gates the license. Neither re-tests your pharmacy education — the eLTP is verification, and the law exam covers Tennessee's pharmacy law. Open the e-Profile transfer early, because NABP's verification and scheduling the law exam are the two steps that set your timeline, not the application itself.
No interstate compact for pharmacy; transfer runs through the NABP eLTP and the Tennessee Board of Pharmacy makes the licensure decision. An applicant licensed 12+ months in another state must apply by reciprocity (not score transfer). Only the NABP eLTP application is filed — the TN board pharmacist application must NOT be submitted. TN still uses the MPJE and had not adopted the UMPJE as of 2026-07-21. Board rule 1140-01-.10 lists a lower statutory fee, but the board's current official instructions state $485.
Tennessee requirements at a glance
| Exam | NAPLEX is not retaken; the score and license history transfer via the NABP eLTP e-Profile. Tennessee requires passing the MPJE before the reciprocal license is granted. TN had not adopted the Uniform MPJE (UMPJE) as of 2026-07-21. |
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| Additional requirements |
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| Fees | $485 (Tennessee reciprocal/license-transfer application fee $485 (non-refundable; paid by check or money order to the board — cannot be paid online); NABP eLTP fees ($300 application + $100 per jurisdiction, 2026-07-21) and the MPJE exam fee are separate) |
| Processing time | Board does not publish a processing time; a deficiency letter is sent for any missing documents and applications expire 12 months from receipt; excludes NABP eLTP processing and MPJE scheduling |
Step by step
- Confirm Tennessee's current requirements on the Tennessee Board of Pharmacy website — rules change.
- Submit the endorsement application to the Tennessee Board of Pharmacy (application linked on this page).
- Arrange license verification from your current state via the verification system.
- File only the NABP eLTP (License Transfer) application; do NOT submit the TN board pharmacist application.
- Pass the MPJE (register through NABP; Pearson VUE issues the Authorization to Test).
- Complete the Declaration of Citizenship form and the Mandatory Practitioner Profile Questionnaire.
- Criminal background check (instructions packet sent after the application is received).
- Pay the fees ($485 (Tennessee reciprocal/license-transfer application fee $485 (non-refundable; paid by check or money order to the board — cannot be paid online); NABP eLTP fees ($300 application + $100 per jurisdiction, 2026-07-21) and the MPJE exam fee are separate)) and allow Board does not publish a processing time; a deficiency letter is sent for any missing documents and applications expire 12 months from receipt; excludes NABP eLTP processing and MPJE scheduling.
Official links
Coming from a specific state?
Direction matters — these guides cover the exact move into Tennessee:
Frequently asked questions
Does my pharmacist license transfer to Tennessee?
A pharmacist license transfers to Tennessee through the NABP Electronic Licensure Transfer Program: NABP verifies your active license and NAPLEX history in your e-Profile and forwards them to the Tennessee Board of Pharmacy, which issues the license once you pass its law exam. NAPLEX is not retaken; the score and license history transfer via the NABP eLTP e-Profile. Tennessee requires passing the MPJE before the reciprocal license is granted. TN had not adopted the Uniform MPJE (UMPJE) as of 2026-07-21.. The NAPLEX is not retaken. Tennessee application fee: $485 (Tennessee reciprocal/license-transfer application fee $485 (non-refundable; paid by check or money order to the board — cannot be paid online); NABP eLTP fees ($300 application + $100 per jurisdiction, 2026-07-21) and the MPJE exam fee are separate).
Do I have to retake the NAPLEX to get licensed in Tennessee?
No — the NAPLEX is a one-time national exam and no board makes you sit it again. NAPLEX is not retaken; the score and license history transfer via the NABP eLTP e-Profile. Tennessee requires passing the MPJE before the reciprocal license is granted. TN had not adopted the Uniform MPJE (UMPJE) as of 2026-07-21..
What does licensing in Tennessee cost an out-of-state pharmacist?
$485 (Tennessee reciprocal/license-transfer application fee $485 (non-refundable; paid by check or money order to the board — cannot be paid online); NABP eLTP fees ($300 application + $100 per jurisdiction, 2026-07-21) and the MPJE exam fee are separate) (Tennessee reciprocal/license-transfer application fee $485 (non-refundable; paid by check or money order to the board — cannot be paid online); NABP eLTP fees ($300 application + $100 per jurisdiction, 2026-07-21) and the MPJE exam fee are separate).
How long does Tennessee take?
Board does not publish a processing time; a deficiency letter is sent for any missing documents and applications expire 12 months from receipt; excludes NABP eLTP processing and MPJE scheduling — Board does not publish a processing time; a deficiency letter is sent for any missing documents and applications expire 12 months from receipt; excludes NABP eLTP processing and MPJE scheduling.
Which law exam does Tennessee require after an eLTP transfer?
NAPLEX is not retaken; the score and license history transfer via the NABP eLTP e-Profile. Tennessee requires passing the MPJE before the reciprocal license is granted. TN had not adopted the Uniform MPJE (UMPJE) as of 2026-07-21.. The law exam is separate from the NAPLEX and covers Tennessee's own pharmacy law; confirm whether the Tennessee Board of Pharmacy currently gives the MPJE or the Uniform MPJE (verified 2026-07-21).
Sources
Primary sources only — official boards and compact commissions. Data last verified 2026-07-21.
- Tennessee Board of Pharmacy — Instructions for Obtaining a Reciprocal License ↗ (accessed 2026-07-21)
- NABP — Electronic Licensure Transfer Program (eLTP) ↗ (accessed 2026-07-21)
Reviewed by Billy Reiner, Editor · verified against primary sources 2026-07-21
How we verify · All sources · spot an error? [email protected]