Alternative Teaching Certification in Tennessee
The main route for alternative teacher certification in Tennessee is the Practitioner Teacher License, a three-year license issued by the Tennessee Department of Education to candidates with a bachelor’s degree who are enrolled in or have completed a state-approved educator preparation program. Candidates register through TNCompass, pass required content assessments for their endorsement area, and clear a criminal background check before starting in the classroom.
Sponsored School(s)
The Tennessee Department of Education issues a Practitioner Teacher License to candidates who hold a bachelor’s degree, are at least 18 years old, and are enrolled in or have completed a state-approved educator preparation program (EPP).
Interested in learning about the traditional approach? Contact schools offering teaching certification programs in Tennessee.
Candidates register through TNCompass and must be recommended for licensure by their EPP provider. The Practitioner Teacher License is valid for three years, after which you’ll need to look at renewing your Tennessee teaching license. Requirements include meeting all professional assessment requirements set by the State Board of Education, meeting requirements in at least one endorsement area, and having official transcripts submitted directly to the Department by the issuing institution.
Alternative Certification Requirements
Education Requirements
At minimum, candidates for a Practitioner Teacher License must:
- Be at least 18 years old
- Hold a bachelor’s degree from a regionally accredited college or university
- Be enrolled in or have completed an approved educator preparation program, and be recommended for licensure by the program provider
- Meet all professional assessment requirements specified by the State Board of Education
- Meet requirements in at least one endorsement area
Candidates must also meet Tennessee Literacy Success Act (TLSA) requirements if applicable to their endorsement area. Full endorsement area details are available on the Tennessee Department of Education’s licensure page.
Examinations
Candidates must submit qualifying scores on the required content assessment for their endorsement area, administered through ETS Praxis or National Evaluation Services. Some candidates who hold a degree in a qualifying endorsement area and complete an approved EPP or job-embedded program are exempt from the specialty content assessment, though this exemption doesn’t apply to the elementary reading or early childhood Praxis exams. Candidates completing an in-state EPP must also submit a qualifying edTPA score for their area, or a Principles of Learning and Teaching (PLT) score if no edTPA exists for that endorsement.
Criminal History Background Check
Before entering an educator preparation program or beginning work in a Tennessee school, candidates must complete a criminal history background check and fingerprinting under Tennessee Code Annotated § 49-5-5610. IdentoGO is the state’s approved fingerprinting vendor, and the Tennessee Bureau of Investigation (TBI) processes and forwards results to your educator preparation program and the Tennessee Department of Education. You’re responsible for all costs associated with this process, and many programs require it completed at least four weeks before their application deadline, so plan ahead.
Other Alternative Pathways in Tennessee
The Practitioner Teacher License isn’t the only alternative route into a Tennessee classroom. The state also offers a Practitioner Occupational License for career and technical education (CTE) endorsement areas. At minimum, candidates need a high school diploma, must be enrolled in or have completed a state-approved educator preparation program (or completed coursework in classroom management, pedagogy, and serving students with disabilities and English learners from an approved provider), and must be recommended by a state-approved occupational educator preparation program. Candidates must also meet endorsement experience requirements and industry certification requirements where applicable. Like the Practitioner Teacher License, the occupational license is valid for three years and is renewable.
Contact Information
Full details on Tennessee’s educator licensure pathways, including endorsement-area requirements, are available on the Tennessee Department of Education’s licensure page.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is a Practitioner Teacher License in Tennessee?
A Practitioner Teacher License lets someone with a bachelor’s degree start teaching in Tennessee while enrolled in or completing a state-approved educator preparation program. It’s valid for three years and is Tennessee’s primary alternative route into the classroom.
Who qualifies for alternative teacher certification in Tennessee?
Candidates need to be at least 18, hold a bachelor’s degree from a regionally accredited institution, be enrolled in or have completed an approved educator preparation program, and be recommended for licensure by that program.
Do I need to pass an exam for a Practitioner Teacher License?
Most candidates need a qualifying score on the content assessment for their endorsement area, and candidates completing an in-state program also need a qualifying edTPA score, or a PLT score if no edTPA exists for that area. Some candidates who already hold a qualifying degree and complete an approved program are exempt from the content assessment.
Is there an alternative pathway for career and technical education (CTE) subjects?
Yes. Tennessee’s Practitioner Occupational License lets candidates with a high school diploma, relevant industry experience, and an approved occupational educator preparation program teach in CTE endorsement areas.
Does the background check delay my start date?
It can. Fingerprinting and the criminal history check go through IdentoGO and the Tennessee Bureau of Investigation, and many programs require this completed at least four weeks before their application deadline.
- Candidates register directly through TNCompass. The Practitioner Teacher License requires a bachelor’s degree, enrollment in an approved educator preparation program, and recommendation by that program.
- Assessments depend on your path. Most candidates need a qualifying content assessment score, and those completing an in-state program also need an edTPA or PLT score.
- The license runs three years. The Practitioner Teacher License and the Practitioner Occupational License for CTE fields are both valid for three years.
- Background checks take time. Fingerprinting through IdentoGO and processing by the Tennessee Bureau of Investigation should be completed well before your program’s application deadline.
Find accredited teacher certification programs in Tennessee, including alternative pathway options and Praxis exam preparation for your content area.
