Urgent Care Centers in Nashville

June 15, 2026

Urgent care centers occupy the space between a primary care office and a hospital emergency room. They treat non-life-threatening illnesses and injuries on a walk-in basis, usually with extended evening and weekend hours, which makes them a practical option when a doctor’s office is closed but the situation does not rise to the level of an emergency. In Nashville, Tennessee’s largest city with a population of roughly 715,388 as of 2024 (U.S. Census Bureau), a growing population and a steady stream of new residents have expanded demand for same-day care, and centers now operate across Davidson County neighborhoods and the surrounding suburbs.

Most urgent care centers are staffed by physicians (M.D. or D.O.) along with nurse practitioners and physician assistants. Physicians in Tennessee are licensed by the Tennessee Board of Medical Examiners or the Board of Osteopathic Examination, both under the Tennessee Department of Health, and consumers can verify any individual provider’s license through the department’s online license-verification system. Some Nashville centers are affiliated with hospital systems such as Vanderbilt Health or Ascension Saint Thomas, while others operate as independent practices or national franchises like AFC (American Family Care) and CareNow. Affiliation can affect how records are shared and where a patient is referred for follow-up or specialty care.

The typical urgent care visit covers a wide range of common conditions: colds, flu, sore throats, ear and sinus infections, urinary tract infections, minor cuts and burns, sprains and strains, and minor fractures. Many centers also offer on-site X-ray, rapid and send-out laboratory testing, COVID-19 and flu testing, vaccinations, and physical exams for school, sports, and employment. Occupational health services, including DOT physicals, drug and alcohol screening, and workers’ compensation injury care, are common as well. Online check-in or “save your spot” tools let patients reserve a place in line before arriving, though walk-ins remain welcome at most locations.

An urgent care center is not a substitute for emergency care. For chest pain, difficulty breathing, signs of stroke, severe bleeding, or any other true emergency, patients should call 911 or go directly to a hospital emergency room. Tennessee’s consumer protection framework, administered by the Division of Consumer Affairs under the Tennessee Consumer Protection Act (TCA 47-18-104), handles complaints about deceptive business practices, and questions about a provider’s licensing or standing can be directed to the Tennessee Department of Health. The information below is provided for general educational purposes and is not medical advice; patients should consult a qualified provider about their individual circumstances.

Top Urgent Care Centers Providers in Nashville

1. CareNow Urgent Care – East Nashville

Address: 1214 Gallatin Avenue, Suite 101, Nashville, TN 37206
Phone: (615) 988-1620
Website: https://www.carenow.com/locations/nashville/east-nashville
Services: treatment for common illnesses (cold, COVID-19, UTI, allergies), on-site X-rays, stitches for minor lacerations, immunizations (flu, tetanus, TDAP, hepatitis A and B), physical exams (sports physicals, EKGs, drug screening, pregnancy tests), DOT physicals, occupational medicine (employee drug testing, on-the-job injury care)
Description: CareNow Urgent Care – East Nashville is a walk-in clinic on Gallatin Avenue that treats common illnesses and minor injuries and is open seven days a week. The center provides on-site X-rays and can place stitches for minor lacerations, and it offers a full slate of immunizations along with sports physicals, EKGs, drug screening, and pregnancy testing. Its occupational medicine line covers employee drug testing, on-the-job injury care, and DOT physicals, for which walk-ins are accepted. CareNow is associated with TriStar Health for coordinated care and referrals, and it operates as part of a multi-location network across the Nashville area. Patients can use the Web Check-In service to reserve a spot before arriving, and virtual visits are available through the clinic’s online platform.

2. AFC Urgent Care Nashville South

Address: 5826 Nolensville Pike, Nashville, TN 37211
Phone: (615) 760-1946
Website: https://www.afcurgentcare.com/nashville-south/
Services: urgent care for colds, flu, allergies, allergic reactions, UTIs, sprains, strains, cuts and burns; STD/STI testing; on-site rapid lab testing (COVID-19, flu, strep, mono, urinalysis, glucose); send-out lab services (STD panels, blood chemistry, CBC, liver and kidney function, lipids, A1C, cultures); X-ray; physicals (school, sports, camp, pre-employment, wellness, annual); vaccinations and immunizations; occupational health (DOT physicals, workers’ compensation, drug and alcohol testing); primary care
Description: AFC Urgent Care Nashville South is a walk-in clinic on Nolensville Pike open Monday through Friday from 8 a.m. to 7 p.m. and weekends from 8 a.m. to 6 p.m., with no appointment necessary. The center handles a broad range of illnesses and minor injuries and maintains both on-site rapid testing and a send-out lab menu that includes STD panels, blood chemistry, complete blood count, and metabolic markers. It offers X-ray imaging, a wide selection of physicals from school and sports to pre-employment, and a full occupational health program covering DOT physicals, workers’ compensation injury care, and drug and alcohol testing. The clinic is part of American Family Care, a national franchise with more than 400 locations across the United States, and patients can book online check-in through the SolvHealth platform.

3. Ascension Saint Thomas Urgent Care – Inglewood

Address: 3024 Gallatin Pike, Nashville, TN 37216
Phone: (615) 665-4400
Website: https://www.urgentteam.com/locations/ascension-saint-thomas-inglewood-nashville-tn/
Services: urgent care for illness and injury, X-rays, laboratory testing, school, sports, and camp physicals, occupational health services, instant prescription fulfillment, primary and family care, women’s health services, wellness care
Description: Ascension Saint Thomas Urgent Care – Inglewood is a walk-in clinic at the corner of Gallatin Pike and McGavock Pike in East Nashville. It is open Monday through Friday from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m., Saturday from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m., and Sunday from 1 p.m. to 5 p.m., and walk-in visits are accepted. The center provides urgent care for illness and injury along with on-site X-rays and laboratory testing, school, sports, and camp physicals, occupational health services, and instant on-site prescription fulfillment, and it also offers primary and family care, women’s health services, and wellness care. As part of the Ascension Saint Thomas Health system, it can coordinate records and referrals within that network. Patients can reserve a place in line using the Hold My Spot scheduling tool, and virtual visits are available; most major insurance plans are accepted, and a self-pay program is offered for uninsured patients.

Frequently Asked Questions About Urgent Care Centers in Nashville

Q: What is the difference between an urgent care center and an emergency room in Nashville?

An urgent care center treats non-life-threatening illnesses and injuries, such as minor fractures, sprains, infections, and flu, usually on a walk-in basis with extended hours. An emergency room is equipped for serious or life-threatening conditions. For chest pain, difficulty breathing, signs of stroke, severe bleeding, or another true emergency, call 911 or go directly to a hospital emergency room rather than an urgent care center.

Q: Do I need an appointment to visit an urgent care center in Nashville?

Most Nashville urgent care centers accept walk-in patients with no appointment required, which is a core part of the model. Many also offer online check-in or a “save your spot” feature that lets you reserve a place in line before you arrive, which can reduce your wait time. Hours vary by location, so confirming a center’s hours before visiting is a good practice.

Q: How can I verify that a Nashville urgent care provider is licensed?

Physicians in Tennessee are licensed by the Tennessee Board of Medical Examiners or the Board of Osteopathic Examination, both part of the Tennessee Department of Health. The department maintains an online license-verification system where consumers can look up an individual provider’s license status. Nurse practitioners and physician assistants are licensed through their respective boards under the same department.

Q: Are Nashville urgent care centers affiliated with hospital systems?

Some are and some are not. Several Nashville centers are affiliated with hospital systems such as Ascension Saint Thomas or TriStar Health, which can affect how medical records are shared and where patients are referred for follow-up or specialty care. Others operate independently or as national franchises such as AFC and CareNow. A center’s affiliation is usually listed on its website.

Q: What services do urgent care centers in Nashville commonly provide?

Common services include treatment for colds, flu, infections, and minor injuries, on-site X-ray and laboratory testing, COVID-19 and flu testing, vaccinations, and physicals for school, sports, and employment. Many centers also offer occupational health services such as DOT physicals, drug and alcohol screening, and workers’ compensation injury care. The specific menu varies by location.

Q: How do I file a complaint about an urgent care center in Nashville?

Complaints about deceptive or unfair business practices can be filed with the Tennessee Division of Consumer Affairs, which enforces the Tennessee Consumer Protection Act (TCA 47-18-104). Concerns about a provider’s clinical licensing or professional conduct can be directed to the Tennessee Department of Health, which oversees the medical and osteopathic boards. Keeping copies of bills, records, and any correspondence strengthens a complaint.