Navigating Educator Preparation Program Requirements in Tennessee

Tennessee's commitment to fostering a collaborative and innovative education community is evident in its approach to teacher preparation and licensure. The Tennessee Department of Education (TDOE) provides essential resources and oversees teacher licensure, ensuring that educators are well-prepared to meet the diverse needs of the state's K-12 student population. With a projected growth of 15% for elementary school teacher jobs and 16% for secondary school teacher jobs by 2032, compared to 2022, understanding the pathways to becoming a licensed teacher in Tennessee is crucial.

Pathways to Licensure

Tennessee offers multiple pathways to teacher licensure, catering to individuals with varying backgrounds and experiences. These pathways include the Traditional Pathway, through approved Educator Preparation Programs (EPPs), and Alternative Licensure Programs for those transitioning from other careers.

Traditional Pathway

The Traditional Pathway involves enrolling in and completing an approved Educator Preparation Program (EPP) at a university or college. Per the TN Department of Education, all individuals wishing to pursue teacher licensure must complete an application and be accepted by an Education Preparation Program (EPP). These programs provide comprehensive training and practical experience, equipping candidates with the skills and knowledge necessary to succeed in the classroom.

Alternative Licensure Programs

Alternative Licensure Programs offer a route to licensure for individuals who hold a bachelor's degree but have not completed a traditional teacher preparation program. Timeframes vary based on program structure, and candidates often teach under a Practitioner License while completing licensure requirements. These programs often involve a job-embedded component, allowing candidates to gain practical experience while completing their coursework.

The Practitioner License

A valid Tennessee teaching license is required to teach in public schools. The Practitioner License is a crucial step in the licensure process. It is a three-year, once-renewable license for educators who have completed or are enrolled in an Educator Preparation Program (EPP) and meet licensure expectations at the practitioner level. This license allows individuals to serve as a teacher of record in a Tennessee classroom while completing required educator preparation classes.

Requirements and Experiences:

Coursework and Clinical Experience: Students complete aligned coursework and at least one (1) full school year of qualifying clinical experience as a teacher of record in a Tennessee school while holding a Practitioner’s License. Students’ teaching assignments must match their endorsement area. Qualifying clinical experience typically occurs during the first or second year of enrollment. Clinical experiences are supervised by Relay faculty and a school-based clinical mentor.
Supervision: Clinical experiences are supervised by Relay faculty and a school-based clinical mentor.
Academic Plans: Academic plans detailing specific course requirements may be accessed on the Academic Plans site.
Renewal: If the requirements for advancing to a Professional License are not met within this period, the Practitioner License can be renewed once for an additional three years.

The Professional License

The Professional License is a six-year, renewable license for educators who meet the necessary teaching experience and performance evaluation requirements.

Renewal Requirements:

To renew, educators must accumulate 60 PDPs or complete two years of qualifying teaching experience within the validity period. Educators must also meet the Tennessee Literacy Success Act requirements, if applicable.

Job-Embedded Programs

Job-embedded programs offer a unique opportunity for individuals to gain practical experience while completing their educator preparation. These programs allow an individual to serve as a teacher of record in a Tennessee classroom while completing required educator preparation classes. Potential teachers who want to teach in a classroom while also completing their program may do so while holding a job-embedded practitioner license.

Tennessee State University's Job-Embedded Program:

The job-embedded program at Tennessee State University (TSU) allows individuals who have not completed a traditional educator preparation program, but possess at least a baccalaureate degree, to be hired on a Practitioner’s License while completing the requisite coursework for the Professional Licensure over a three-year period.

Assessments and Requirements

Educators in Tennessee must pass a series of assessments based on their grade level and subject area. EPPs shall report all admitted candidates to the Department.

Read also: Guide to Illinois Educator Pay

Criminal History Check:

Tennessee Code Annotated §49-5-5610 requires that any student wishing to enter an approved teacher education program must undergo a criminal history check and fingerprinting by the Tennessee Bureau of Investigation. Regardless, if you have obtained a cleared TBI background check in the past, if you are not enrolled consecutively for the fall and spring semesters at Tennessee State University, you may be required to obtain a subsequent background check.

Praxis II Exam:

Qualifying Praxis II exam scores on the required content assessment specified by the Tennessee State Board of Education. *Note: Depending on endorsement area and undergraduate degree, Praxis II exam may not be required.

Special Education Endorsements

Educators who wish to pursue the Special Education Interventionist K-8 or Special Education Interventionist 6-12 additional endorsement will enroll in the Advanced Certificate in Special Education (21 credits/4 terms). Successful program completers who meet all necessary requirements for the endorsement may apply to add the applicable endorsement to their existing license. UT-PLAYS is a non-credit generating program leading to Special Education Comprehensive K-12, Interventionist K-8, Interventionist 6-12, Mathematics 6-8, or Mathematics 6-12 licensure/endorsements.

Literacy Requirements

Educators may elect to demonstrate compliance using one of the below pathways.

Option 1: Foundational Literacy Skills Training
Option 2: AssessmentComplete Course 1 of either the Early Reading Training or Secondary Literacy Training. An assessment is included at the end of the module, but does not require a passing score.Pass the Tennessee Early Literacy Assessment (TELA).

Application Process

Once you’ve fulfilled the necessary requirements for teacher licensure in Tennessee, you can apply online through the Tennessee Department of Education’s TNCompass system. This process involves submitting essential documents, including official transcripts, proof of passing exam scores, completion of background checks, and payment of the application fee.

Resources and Support

Middle Tennessee State University (MTSU): At Middle Tennessee State University, the Office of Teacher Licensure plays a vital role in supporting future educators as they complete the steps toward state certification. We work closely with candidates in approved teacher preparation programs to ensure all licensure requirements are met. Once those requirements are complete, candidates submit their materials to our office for review. We then upload all documentation to the Tennessee Department of Education (TDOE) portal for final review and issuance of the Practitioner License.The office also evaluates transcripts for post-baccalaureate candidates seeking initial licensure in PreK-12 settings. If you are an undergraduate student, you will be advised by a COE advisor for the program in which you are enrolled. Those seeking licensure in early childhood education, elementary education, middle level leducation or special education can find detailed information about your program through the Department of Elementary and Special Education. If you are an undergraduate student who is working toward a license for a subject area in secondary education, you will be advised by both an advisor in your major subject and a faculty member in the secondary education minor. If you have already obtained a bachelor’s degree and intend on pursing an initial teaching license as a non-degree seeking post-baccalaureate student at Middle Tennessee State University, you will need to submit a Request for Transcript Analysis form and all transcripts of previous coursework to the MTSU Office of Teacher Licensure. MTSU non-student users, will need to “Create New Account” the first time Dynamic Forms is accessed. MTSU, in conjunction with Middle Tennessee school districts, participates in Tennessee’s Job-Embedded Practitioner license program. *If interested in the School Counseling program, please contact the Program Coordinator, Dr. Once an individual has received an initial license, he/she can add endorsements for other subjects to the license. Individuals who would like to add endorsements may submit a Request for Transcript Analysis form and supporting materials to our office as described above. Some endorsements may be added to an initial licenses by a test-only option. If you intend on pursing an add-on endorsement in our post-baccalaureate program, please check with your advisor to determine if you should apply to MTSU as a undergraduate or graduate domestic non-degree seeking student. Mrs. O.
University of Tennessee: There are multiple pathways to receiving professional educator licensure with the University of Tennessee. We offer programs that lead to teacher licensure, administrator licensure, and school services personnel licensure.

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