All Roll Calls
Yes: 135 • No: 0
TennesseeSB 2427114th General Assembly (2025-2026)Senate
AN ACT to amend Tennessee Code Annotated, Title 63, Chapter 7, relative to medication aides.
Sponsored By: Sponsor information unavailable
Signed by Governor
Nurses, Nursing
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Bill Overview
Analyzed Economic Effects
4 provisions identified: 1 benefits, 1 costs, 2 mixed.
Nursing students gain medication aide pathway
Beginning July 1, 2026, nursing students have a separate coursework-based path to a medication aide certificate. Students must be enrolled and in good standing at a board-approved nursing school. They must earn sufficient passing grades in courses covering basic nursing fundamentals and foundations, basic pharmacology, and medication administration. The Tennessee Board of Nursing must issue a certificate to applicants who meet these conditions.
Requirements for Tennessee medication aide applicants
Beginning July 1, 2026, applicants using the standard medication aide pathway must be at least 18. They need a high school diploma, its equivalent, or a state-approved high school equivalency credential. They must finish board-approved training and pass the knowledge and skills exam within two attempts. They also need at least one year of practice as a certified nurse aide or licensed occupational therapy assistant. That work must be in a nursing home, assisted-care living facility, or Program of All-Inclusive Care for the Elderly (PACE). Being a student in good standing at a board-approved nursing school also meets the experience requirement. The Tennessee Board of Nursing must issue certificates to applicants who meet these requirements.
Out-of-state aides gain pathway with possible fees
Beginning July 1, 2026, the Tennessee Board of Nursing may certify medication aides credentialed in another state. Applicants must be certified, licensed, or registered and in good standing as medication aides or under an equivalent title. The other state's requirements must be at least as strict as Tennessee's, and approval remains the Board's choice. The Board may charge an application fee sufficient to cover administration costs; the law sets no dollar amount. It may adopt process rules and let its administrative staff approve applications. Rules must follow the state's Uniform Administrative Procedures Act, and rulemaking authority takes effect when the act becomes law.
Medication aide classes face new standards
Beginning July 1, 2026, approved medication aide classes must finish between 14 and 90 days after their start date. When evaluating a program's overall exam pass rate, the Board must count students who pass within two attempts. Passing on the second attempt counts the same as passing on the first.
Sponsors & Cosponsors
Sponsors
There is no primary sponsor on record.
Cosponsors
There are no cosponsors for this bill.
Roll Call Votes
House vote • 4/8/2026
FLOOR VOTE: REGULAR CALENDAR PASSAGE ON THIRD CONSIDERATION 4/8/2026
Yes: 95 • No: 0
Senate vote • 4/2/2026
FLOOR VOTE: as Amended Third Consideration 4/2/2026
Yes: 31 • No: 0
Senate vote • 3/17/2026
SENATE HEALTH AND WELFARE COMMITTEE
Yes: 9 • No: 0
Actions Timeline
Effective date(s) 04/23/2026, 07/01/2026
4/29/2026Pub. Ch. 813
4/29/2026Signed by Governor.
4/23/2026SenateTransmitted to Governor for action.
4/15/2026SenateSigned by H. Speaker
4/14/2026HouseSigned by Senate Speaker
4/9/2026SenateEnrolled and ready for signatures
4/8/2026SenatePassed H., Ayes 95, Nays 0, PNV 0
4/8/2026HouseAm. withdrawn. (Amendment 1 - HA0748)
4/8/2026HouseSubst. for comp. HB.
4/8/2026HouseRcvd. from S., held on H. desk.
4/6/2026HouseEngrossed; ready for transmission to House
4/2/2026SenatePassed Senate as amended, Ayes 31, Nays 0
4/2/2026SenateSenate adopted Amendment (Amendment 1 - SA0726)
4/2/2026SenatePlaced on Senate Regular Calendar for 4/2/2026
3/31/2026SenateRecommended for passage with amendment/s, refer to Senate Calendar Committee Ayes 9, Nays 0 PNV 0
3/17/2026SenatePlaced on Senate Health and Welfare Committee calendar for 3/17/2026
3/11/2026SenateAction deferred in Senate Health and Welfare Committee to 3/18/2026
3/11/2026SenatePlaced on Senate Health and Welfare Committee calendar for 3/11/2026
3/4/2026SenateAction deferred in Senate Health and Welfare Committee to 3/11/2026
3/4/2026SenatePlaced on Senate Health and Welfare Committee calendar for 3/4/2026
2/25/2026SenatePassed on Second Consideration, refer to Senate Health and Welfare Committee
2/5/2026SenateIntroduced, Passed on First Consideration
2/2/2026SenateFiled for introduction
2/2/2026Senate
Bill Text
Enrolled / Public Chapter
Fiscal Note
HA0748
Introduced
SA0726
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