Tennessee Teaching Certification
Tennessee teaching certification requires earning a bachelor’s degree, completing an approved Educator Preparation Program (EPP), and meeting the assessment requirements for your endorsement area before applying for a Practitioner License through TNCompass. Out-of-state teachers, substitutes, administrators, and career changers each follow a separate pathway. The Tennessee Department of Education’s Office of Educator Licensing oversees every license type and renewal.
Sponsored School(s)
Every path to Tennessee teaching certification starts with the same state agency: the Tennessee Department of Education’s Office of Educator Licensing. Where that path leads next depends on your situation. A first-time candidate finishing a bachelor’s degree follows a different route than a teacher moving from another state, a career changer pursuing alternative certification, or an experienced teacher renewing an existing license.
Use the links below to jump to certification requirements, license types, other certification paths, and salary information for Tennessee teachers.
- Initial teacher certification requirements
- Types of teaching licenses in Tennessee
- Other Tennessee certification paths
- Tennessee teacher salary and job outlook
Initial Teacher Certification Requirements in Tennessee
Find schools offering teaching certification programs in Tennessee. The requirements below apply to candidates completing the traditional path to an initial Tennessee teaching license.
Education Requirements
The Office of Educator Licensing at the Tennessee Department of Education requires candidates to complete a bachelor’s degree through an approved Educator Preparation Program (EPP) at a regionally accredited college or university. Candidates pursuing an endorsement in elementary, early childhood, English as a Second Language, or special education must also demonstrate compliance with the Tennessee Literacy Success Act (TLSA) as part of licensure.
Graduates of out-of-state EPPs can still qualify. You’ll need a recommendation confirming program completion from your college or university, along with Tennessee’s exam requirements and an Out-of-State Educator Preparation Verification submitted through TNCompass.
If you completed your teacher preparation outside the United States, your degree must be evaluated by an approved foreign transcript evaluation agency. Submit that evaluation with your application, and the state will issue an Out-of-State license if you’re approved.
Certification Exams
Some Tennessee Educator Preparation Programs may require basic skills testing or other admission criteria. Check with your EPP for current admission requirements. Requirements for licensure also vary by endorsement. Assessment requirements vary by endorsement, so verify current testing requirements with the Tennessee Department of Education or your EPP before you register for any exam.
Student Teaching and Experience Requirements
Every EPP includes a practicum in which you observe and gradually take over instruction in a classroom aligned with your endorsement area. Your program later verifies a full student-teaching placement, or documented alternative teaching experience, as part of your licensure application.
Application Process
Once you’ve completed your EPP, met the required assessments for your endorsement area, and finished student teaching, you apply for your Practitioner License through TNCompass, the state’s online licensing system. Your application package typically includes official transcripts, your EPP’s licensure recommendation, assessment score reports, and the application fee.
Criminal History Background Check
Tennessee doesn’t require a background check to hold a teaching license, but every school district requires one before hiring you to work with students. The Tennessee Bureau of Investigation processes fingerprint-based background checks through IdentoGO, and you’re responsible for the associated fees. Processing can take several weeks, so schedule your appointment early in your job search.
Types of Teaching Licenses in Tennessee
Tennessee issues several license types depending on where you are in the certification process:
| License Type | Requirements | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| Practitioner License | Complete or be enrolled in an approved EPP and satisfy the assessment requirements for the applicable endorsement | 3 years |
| Professional License | Hold a Practitioner License, complete required professional development, and receive qualifying evaluations while teaching | 10 years, renewable |
| Temporary Teaching Permit | Issued when a district can’t fill a high-demand subject with a licensed teacher, doesn’t require a completed EPP | 1 year, may be reactivated up to two times |
| Occupational License | For career and technical education instructors with qualifying industry experience in place of a traditional teaching degree | Practitioner and Professional tiers available |
Renewal requirements for a Professional License are set by the Tennessee Department of Education and can include professional development, qualifying teaching experience, or both. Check the TDOE’s licensing pages or your TNCompass account for the current renewal requirements for your license. Requirements for adding an endorsement also vary by endorsement and may include assessments, coursework, or additional preparation.
Other Tennessee Certification Paths
If your situation doesn’t match the traditional path above, these pages cover the other ways to get certified or licensed in Tennessee:
- Teaching license reciprocity, for licensed teachers moving to Tennessee from another state
- License renewal, for teachers renewing or reinstating an existing Tennessee license
- Administrator and principal certification, for educators pursuing school leadership roles
- Alternative teaching certification, for career changers who already hold a bachelor’s degree outside of education
- Substitute teaching permits, for those interested in substitute teaching
Tennessee Teacher Salary and Job Outlook
According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, Tennessee elementary school teachers earned a median annual salary of $59,980 as of May 2025, while secondary school teachers earned a median of $61,860. Unlike the national outlook, which projects a slight decline in these occupations, Tennessee’s own labor market projections show growth across every K-12 teaching category through 2034. For a closer look at pay by experience level and district, see Tennessee teaching salaries and benefits.
| Occupation (Tennessee) | Median Annual Wage | Job Growth (2024-2034) |
|---|---|---|
| Kindergarten Teachers | $58,070 | +9.4% |
| Elementary School Teachers | $59,980 | +8.9% |
| Middle School Teachers | $60,690 | +8.9% |
| Secondary School Teachers | $61,860 | +9.4% |
Frequently Asked Questions
What degree do I need to become a certified teacher in Tennessee?
You need at least a bachelor’s degree completed through an approved Educator Preparation Program. The specific major depends on the grade level and subject you want to teach, and your EPP will guide you through the required coursework and student teaching.
What exams do I need to pass for Tennessee teacher certification?
Assessment requirements vary by endorsement area. Some Tennessee Educator Preparation Programs require basic skills testing for admission, and most endorsement areas require content and pedagogy assessments before licensure. Check with your EPP and the Tennessee Department of Education for the specific assessments that apply to your endorsement.
How do I apply for a Tennessee teaching license?
Applications go through TNCompass, the state’s online licensing system. You’ll submit transcripts, your EPP’s recommendation for licensure, assessment score reports, and the application fee once you’ve met all requirements.
How long does a Tennessee teaching license last?
A Practitioner License, the initial license most new teachers receive, is valid for 3 years. After meeting professional development and evaluation requirements, teachers move to a Professional License, which lasts 10 years and is renewable.
Can I teach in Tennessee if I’m certified in another state?
Yes. Tennessee accepts many out-of-state educators through its out-of-state licensure process, subject to Tennessee’s own licensure requirements, though you’ll still need to meet Tennessee’s assessment and application requirements through TNCompass.
- The core path is the same for every traditional candidate. Bachelor’s degree, approved EPP, endorsement-specific assessment requirements, and a TNCompass application for a Practitioner License.
- Licenses progress from Practitioner to Professional. A 3-year initial license leads to a 10-year renewable license once you meet development and evaluation requirements.
- Career changers and specialists have separate routes. Alternative certification, occupational licenses, and administrator credentials all follow their own requirements.
- Background checks happen at hiring, not licensure. Districts require a TBI fingerprint check through IdentoGO before you start working with students.
- Tennessee’s teacher job market is growing. Every K-12 teaching category is projected to grow through 2034, unlike the national outlook.
Select your state below to find accredited teacher certification programs, application links, and licensing requirements for your jurisdiction.
May 2025 US Bureau of Labor Statistics OEWS wage estimates and 2024-2034 employment projections for Kindergarten and Elementary School Teachers, Middle School Teachers, and High School Teachers, reflect state and national data, not school-specific outcomes. State or district job-growth projections are sourced separately from national BLS outlook data. Conditions vary by school sector, subject area, and district. Data accessed July 2026.
