March 21, 2026
The global medical scrubs market was valued at $49.15 billion in 2024 and is projected to reach $88.42 billion by 2032, at a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 7.60%, according to SNS Insider (2025). The United States (U.S.) market alone accounted for approximately $9.71 billion of that total in 2024. Businesses selling medical scrubs or healthcare uniforms in Tennessee do not require a specialty state license beyond the standard $15 per-location business license available through the Tennessee Taxpayer Access Point (TNTAP) at tntap.tn.gov. Scrubs and healthcare uniforms are taxable as clothing and tangible personal property at Tennessee’s 7% state sales tax rate, with combined local option rates reaching up to 9.75% in Nashville and Memphis. Tennessee Code Annotated (TCA) § 67-6-314 does not provide a permanent exemption for scrubs, though an annual late-July sales tax holiday temporarily exempts clothing items priced at $100 or less per item.
Tennessee’s market exists within this national framework but with its own distinguishing features. Tennessee’s three largest metropolitan areas anchor strong and consistent demand for medical scrubs. The Nashville metro population reached approximately 1,333,000 in 2024, growing 1.37% year over year (Tennessee State Data Center, 2025), while the Memphis metro stood at approximately 1,339,000 (U.S. Census Bureau / Federal Reserve Economic Data (FRED), 2025) and the Knoxville metro at approximately 796,000 (U.S. Census Bureau, 2025). Healthcare is one of Tennessee’s largest employment sectors, supported by 114 licensed hospitals statewide as of 2024 (Kaiser Family Foundation (KFF), 2024). Vanderbilt University Medical Center in Nashville alone employs approximately 25,000 staff, creating substantial institutional demand for scrubs and healthcare uniforms across Middle Tennessee and beyond.
Beyond Tennessee’s own regulatory approach, federal agencies enforce additional market standards. The Tennessee Board of Nursing (TN BON) does not mandate specific scrub colors or uniform styles at the state regulatory level. Dress codes, including scrub color requirements, are set by individual healthcare employers, hospital systems, and nursing schools, not by state regulation. Buyers should confirm their employer’s or institution’s uniform policies before purchasing. At the industry level, the Network Association of Uniform Manufacturers and Distributors (NAUMD), founded in 1932 and headquartered online at naumd.com, is the primary nonprofit trade association representing manufacturers, suppliers, retailers, and distributors of uniform fabrics, clothing, footwear, and accessories across North America, including the medical apparel segment. Tennessee’s healthcare sector supports consistent scrub procurement across the state’s 114 licensed hospitals and thousands of outpatient clinics, and the NAUMD’s Image Apparel Institute division serves the medical apparel segment of the organization’s 500-plus corporate member base.
These compliance considerations inform the product-level decisions that determine buyer satisfaction. Fabric composition is one of the first distinguishing factors among scrubs suppliers: cotton-polyester blends are the industry standard for durability and comfort, and antimicrobial finishes are increasingly available for clinical environments. Size range inclusivity matters in institutional settings; look for suppliers stocking sizes extra-small (XS) through 5XL. Suppliers that offer hemming and embroidery services are particularly valuable when an employer requires monogrammed or logo-embellished uniforms. Before placing bulk or corporate orders, review the supplier’s return and exchange policy in writing, including provisions for incorrect sizing or defective merchandise. For large hospital or clinic accounts, ask whether payroll deduction programs or net-terms billing are available. Buyers who encounter deceptive trade practices may file complaints under TCA § 47-18-104 through the Tennessee Division of Consumer Affairs at tn.gov/consumer. Scrub fabric that meets a facility’s infection control standards for fluid resistance and laundering temperature satisfies workplace safety requirements, and an employer’s dress code specifies the approved colors and embroidery details that govern uniform purchasing.
Top Scrubs Providers in Tennessee
Scrub Hub
- Address: 2721 Lebanon Pike, Nashville, TN 37214
- Phone: (615) 883-1530
- Website: https://scrubhub.com
- Description: Family-owned and operated since 1995, with roots in the uniform business dating to 1984, Scrub Hub operates four Middle Tennessee locations and an online store, serving healthcare professionals, hospitals, and medical school students throughout the Nashville metropolitan area. The company carries top healthcare uniform brands, offers on-site hemming and embroidery services, and accommodates large institutional orders with payroll deduction options for hospital employee programs.
Scrubtastic
- Address: 2870 Poplar Ave, Memphis, TN 38111
- Phone: (901) 567-5699
- Website: https://www.scrubtastic.com
- Description: Scrubtastic serves the Memphis metropolitan area from its Poplar Avenue location and a second store in Bartlett, Tennessee, carrying premium medical scrub brands including Cherokee, Dickies, Grey’s Anatomy, Skechers, and WonderWink for nurses, physicians, and allied health professionals. The company offers embroidery services while customers wait, accommodates hospital and corporate accounts, and provides military and student discount programs across both locations.
Lambert’s Health Care & Uniforms
- Address: 4901 N Broadway, Knoxville, TN 37918
- Phone: (865) 523-1103
- Website: https://lambertshc.com
- Description: Locally owned and serving Knoxville since 1956, Lambert’s Health Care & Uniforms describes itself as East Tennessee’s largest scrubs selection, with 75,000-plus items in stock across brands including Healing Hands, Cherokee, Med Couture, and Barco in sizes XS through 5XL. The company operates two Knoxville locations and also carries medical footwear brands Dansko and Nursemates alongside home medical equipment, serving healthcare professionals throughout Knox County and the greater East Tennessee region.
Scrubs 360 Consignment
- Address: 4883 N Broadway, Suite 102, Knoxville, TN 37918
- Phone: (865) 357-0211
- Website: https://scrubsstoreknoxville.com
- Description: Operated by medical professionals, Scrubs 360 Consignment offers new and gently used medical scrubs, lab coats, and healthcare footwear from its Knoxville location at North Broadway, focusing on affordable pricing for nurses, medical assistants, and allied health staff. The store operates on a consignment model that allows healthcare workers to sell their gently used scrubs while providing cost-effective options for buyers, serving the Knox County healthcare community from its Fountain City location near Lambert’s Health Care.
Frequently Asked Questions
Does Tennessee require a specialty license to sell medical scrubs?
No. Tennessee does not require a specialty state license to sell medical scrubs or healthcare uniforms. Retailers must obtain a standard business license, which costs $15 per location and is processed through TNTAP.
Are medical scrubs subject to Tennessee sales tax?
Yes. Medical scrubs and healthcare uniforms are classified as clothing and tangible personal property and are subject to Tennessee’s 7% state sales tax rate. Local option taxes can bring the combined rate to as high as 9.75% in jurisdictions such as Nashville and Memphis.
Does Tennessee law require healthcare workers to wear specific scrub colors or styles?
No. The Tennessee Board of Nursing does not mandate specific scrub colors, uniform styles, or brand requirements at the state regulatory level. Dress codes, including required scrub colors for different clinical roles, are established by individual healthcare employers, hospital systems, and nursing education programs.
What industry association serves the medical uniform and scrubs industry?
The Network Association of Uniform Manufacturers and Distributors (NAUMD) is the primary nonprofit trade association for the uniform industry in North America, including the medical apparel segment. Founded in 1932, NAUMD represents more than 500 corporate members spanning manufacturers, suppliers, retailers, dealers, and distributors of uniform fabrics, clothing, footwear, and accessories. The association can be reached by phone at (847) 448-1333.
How should buyers evaluate scrubs suppliers before placing a bulk or corporate order?
Before committing to a bulk order, buyers should request product samples to assess fabric composition and stitching quality, confirm that the supplier stocks the full size range required (XS through 5XL is standard for inclusive institutional programs), and verify that hemming, embroidery, and monogramming services are available on-site. Ask for written return and exchange policies for bulk orders, confirm lead times, and check whether payroll deduction or net-terms billing is offered for hospital accounts. Reviewing a supplier’s complaint history and accreditation status is also advisable.
What recourse do buyers have if a Tennessee scrubs seller engages in deceptive practices?
Tennessee consumers and businesses that encounter deceptive trade practices, such as false advertising, misrepresented product quality, or unauthorized charges, may file a formal complaint under the Tennessee Consumer Protection Act (TCPA), codified at TCA § 47-18-104. The Tennessee Division of Consumer Affairs investigates complaints, mediates disputes, and may refer cases for enforcement action. Buyers should document all communications, retain receipts and order confirmations, and file their complaint as promptly as possible.