Tennessee Teacher Certification and Career Guide

The teacher certification process in Tennessee is overseen by the Office of Educator Licensing within the state’s Department of Education (TDOE). The main steps for the traditional path to teacher certification in Tennessee are:

1. Complete a bachelor’s degree with a state-approved teacher preparation component.
2. Complete a student teaching placement.
3. Pass the required teacher certification exams.
4. Apply for a teaching certificate or license.

Continue reading to learn more about the traditional certification pathway in Tennessee.

Table of Contents

• Steps to Become a Teacher in Tennessee
• Teacher Certification Renewal
• Adding Subjects or Grades to a Certificate
• Teaching License Reciprocity
• Related Licenses
• Teacher Outlook, Salary, and Jobs
• Additional Resources
• Frequently Asked Questions

How to Become a Teacher in Tennessee

The section describes the traditional path to teacher certification in Tennessee. If you are a bachelor’s degree holder who has yet to complete a teacher preparation program, check out our guide to alternative teacher certification in Tennessee.

1. Earn a bachelor’s degree that includes an approved teacher preparation program.

The first step to becoming a Tennessee teacher is to get a bachelor’s degree. The major you choose will depend on the certification area you are targeting. You will also need to complete an approved educator preparation program (EPP) in your desired endorsement area and grade level. You can find a list of approved EPPs on the TDOE website.

You can compare key metrics for state-approved teacher preparation programs on our Tennessee schools page. You can also read about two important accreditations to consider, institutional accreditation and programmatic accreditation, on our teaching schools guide.

2. Complete a student teaching placement.

As part of your EPP, you will complete clinical experiences with a partner local education agency (LEA) that include field practice and clinical practice with feedback and support. Teacher candidates can fulfill the clinical experience requirement through:

• Student teaching: at least 15 weeks during one semester
• Internship: one full school year with at least 100 hours of direct teaching experiences
• Job-embedded clinical practice: one full school year serving as a teacher of record with at least 100 hours of direct teaching experiences

The clinical experiences should be at the grade level and endorsement area of your desired license.

3. Pass the required Tennessee teacher exams.

The next step to becoming a teacher in the state is to pass the required content knowledge assessment related to the teaching area and grade level of your desired license. Tennessee requires the Praxis Subject Tests from the Educational Testing Service (ETS). You can read more about the exams required for your license on the ETS website.

4. Apply for Tennessee teacher certification.

Once you have completed the steps above, you can apply for a Practitioner Teacher License. New teacher applications must be submitted online via TNCompass. Along with your application, you will submit:

• Recommendation from EPP
• Assessment scores
• Official transcripts
• Demonstration of compliance with the Tennessee Literacy Success Act (TLSA), if necessary (for elementary, early childhood, English as a Second Language (ESL), and special education (SPED))
• Fingerprint background check
• Payment of non-refundable fees

For more details on applying for a teaching license in the state, review the New to Education page.

Tennessee Teacher Certification Renewal

Practitioner Teacher Licenses in Tennessee are good for three years and must be renewed before the expiration date. To renew your license, you will need to submit 60 professional development points (PDPs) or complete two years of qualifying experience and meet all TLSA requirements if applicable. Step-by-step instructions for renewing a teaching license can be found on the TDOE website.

Adding Subjects or Grades to a Certificate

Teachers in Tennessee are only authorized to teach at the grade level and subject area listed on their certificate, though occasional, temporary exceptions are made. You can add most endorsement areas to an existing license by passing the corresponding assessment. Some endorsements require completing an approved EPP in addition to passing the required assessment. Endorsements in elementary, early childhood, ESL, and SPED require the demonstration of compliance with the TLSA. You can find a complete list of Tennessee endorsements on the TDOE website.

Tennessee Teaching License Reciprocity

Teachers with full, valid, and renewable licenses from another state can apply for an equivalent license in Tennessee if they meet certain criteria. Qualifying teachers may be eligible for Tennessee licensure without re-taking the educator assessments. They will need to apply via TNCompass and submit:

• Copy of out-of-state license
• Verification of EPP
• Educator assessment waiver
• Proof of work experience and qualification
• Official transcripts
• Fingerprint based background check
• Payment of non-refundable application fee

For more information, review the Out-of-State Applicants Checklist.

Related Education Licenses

The TDOE also offers several licenses for people interested in education outside of traditional teaching. These related licenses include:

• Instructional Leader License (ILL): Allows the holder to work as an administrator (principal, assistant principal, or instructional supervisor). Candidates must have an advanced degree, three years of qualifying experience, completed a Board-approved instructional leader preparation program, and pass the required assessments.
• Postsecondary Educator License (PSE): For applicants who have been a full- or part-time college instructor in a qualifying subject area and pass the required assessments.
• School Services Personnel License: For school counselors, school social workers, educational interpreters, and more. Requirements depend on the position but include a degree and passing the required assessments.

For more information on related licenses in education, review the New to Education page.

Tennessee Teacher Outlook, Salary, and Jobs

During the 2017-2018 school year, Tennessee reported approximately 64,000 teachers at its 1,782 schools.³ With over 1 million students, the student-to-teacher ratio is approximately 16:1.³

Job growth is projected to be much faster for teachers in Tennessee than in the rest of the country in all areas of teaching. Job growth for elementary school teachers is expected to be 15.2% versus 0.7% nationally; for middle school teachers, 15.7% versus 0.8% nationally; and for high school teachers, 15.9% versus 1% nationally.² The table below provides a detailed comparison of job growth prospects and salary levels for Tennessee teachers.

*The estimated job growth average is based on projections for mainstream kindergarten, elementary, middle, and high school teachers. Projections for other categories, such as special education and career and technical education, may be higher or lower than the average.

Teacher Shortages in Tennessee

According to the US Department of Education Teacher Shortage Area report for 2023-2024, Tennessee has designated the following deficits:

• Art and Music Education: Visual and Performing Arts, Pre-K-12
• Early Childhood: Early Childhood and Elementary Education, Pre-K-12
• English as a Second Language: English as a Second Language, Pre-K-12
• Health and Physical Fitness: Physical Education, Pre-K-12
• Language Arts: English, Pre-K-12
• Mathematics, Pre-K-12
• Science, Pre-K-12
• Social Studies, Pre-K-12
• Special Education, Pre-K-12
• Support Staff: Library/Media Specialist, Pre-K-12
• World Languages: Any World Language, Pre-K-12⁶

During the 2021-2022 school year, Tennessee reported 1,024 teacher vacancies and 1,672 teachers were considered underqualified for their positions, which includes those assigned to classrooms outside their certification field on a temporary or emergency basis.⁷

Additional Resources

• Professional Educators of Tennessee: Association focusing on providing a quality education for the children in the state and offering quality services to its members.
• TDOE Educator Licensure and Preparation page: Includes information about managing your license as well as a job connection resource for teachers looking for employment.
• TDOE New to Education page: Provides information on how to obtain an initial teacher license in Tennessee.
• Tennessee Education Association (TEA): The largest professional association in the state with a mission to protect and advocate for students, the teaching profession, and its members.

Tennessee Teacher Interviews

• First Grade Teacher, Dana Lester
• Second and Third Grade Teacher, Mary Pitner

Related Articles

• Alternative Teacher Certification in Tennessee
• Guide to Funding Your Teaching Degree
• Overview of the Bachelor’s in Education
• Tennessee Schools Guide
• Top Online Master’s Programs for Initial Certification

Frequently Asked Questions

Question: How can I become a substitute teacher in Tennessee?

Answer: To become a substitute teacher in Tennessee, you must apply with individual districts. Each district sets its own requirements for substitutes. Generally, candidates must have professional references and at least 60 credit hours of education from an accredited college or university. Other school districts may require a bachelor’s degree and/or teacher licensure.

Question: How many private schools and teachers are there in Tennessee?

Answer: Tennessee has 566 private schools, with 11,547 teachers and 99,832 students.⁸ Teachers at private schools in Tennessee are not required to be licensed, but keep in mind that individual schools set their own requirements for teachers.

References:
1. Tennessee Department of Education: https://www.tn.gov/education/
2. Projections Central, Long Term Occupational Projections: https://projectionscentral.org/Projections/LongTerm
3. National Center for Education Statistics, State Nonfiscal Public Elementary/Secondary Education Survey Data, 2017-2018: https://nces.ed.gov/ccd/stnfis.asp
4. Bureau of Labor Statistics, May 2023 Occupational Employment and Wage Estimates, Tennessee: https://www.bls.gov/oes/current/oes_tn.htm
5. Bureau of Labor Statistics, May 2023 National Occupational Employment and Wage Estimates: https://www.bls.gov/oes/current/oes_nat.htm
6. US Department of Education, Teacher Shortage Areas: https://tsa.ed.gov/#/reports
7. Teacher Shortages in the United States, Tuan D. Nguyen et al.: https://teachershortages.com/
8. National Center for Education Statistics, Private School Universe Survey, 2019-20: https://nces.ed.gov/surveys/pss/tables/TABLE15fl1920.asp