TN certification
Tennessee teacher certification
Teaching credentials in Tennessee
Each row is a credential Tennessee reported to Title II. Initial means a first credential for a new teacher. Years is the length of validity.
| Credential | Initial | Years | Renewable | Grade levels |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Adjunct Teaching License | Yes | 1 | Yes | K-6, 4-8, 7-12 |
| JROTC Teaching License | Yes | 5 | Yes | 4-8, 7-12 |
| Permit | Yes | 1 | Yes | K-6, 4-8, 7-12 |
| Practitioner Teacher | Yes | 3 | Yes | K-5, 6-8, 6-12 |
| Professional Teacher | No | 10 | Yes | K-5, 6-8, 6-12 |
| Three Year International Exchange Credential | Yes | 3 | No | K-6, 4-8, 7-12 |
Requirements
Yes means the state reports the item as required for that credential. Tests shows only whether tests are required; Title II does not name the tests.
| Credential | Bachelor's | Master's | Education degree | Prep program | Tests | Performance assessment | Clinical | Coursework | Credit hours | Min. GPA | Transcripts | Employment | Mentoring | Recency | Background check | Fingerprint | Police check |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Adjunct Teaching License | Yes | No | No | No | No | No | No | No | No | No | Yes | Yes | No | No | Yes | Yes | No |
| JROTC Teaching License | No | No | No | No | No | No | No | No | No | No | Yes | No | No | No | Yes | Yes | No |
| Permit | Yes | No | No | No | No | No | No | No | No | No | Yes | Yes | No | No | Yes | Yes | No |
| Practitioner Teacher | Yes | No | No | Yes | Yes | No | Yes | No | No | No | Yes | No | Yes | No | Yes | Yes | No |
| Professional Teacher | Yes | No | No | No | No | No | No | No | No | No | No | Yes | No | No | No | No | No |
| Three Year International Exchange Credential | Yes | No | No | No | No | No | No | No | No | No | Yes | Yes | Yes | No | Yes | Yes | No |
Verify a teaching license in Tennessee
Teaching licenses in Tennessee are verified on the lookup service run by Tennessee Department of Education. Search there by the teacher's name or certificate number to see current status.
PT3 does not verify licenses and holds no records of individual teachers.
Renewal
Renew times is how many times the credential can be renewed; renewal years is the length of each renewal.
| Credential | Renewable | Renew times | Renewal years | Details |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Adjunct Teaching License | Yes | 10 | 1 | Upon application. No specific requirements. |
| JROTC Teaching License | Yes | 100 | 5 | Renewed upon application and verification of an active JROTC certificate. |
| Permit | Yes | 2 | 1 | Upon application by an LEA |
| Practitioner Teacher | Yes | 1 | 3 | Preparation program completion and all required licensing tests. |
| Professional Teacher | Yes | 100 | 10 | 60 professional development points |
| Three Year International Exchange Credential | No | Not reported | Not reported | Not reported |
Emergency and temporary credentials
| Credential | Initial | Years | Renewable | Grade levels |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Adjunct Teaching License | Yes | 1 | Yes | K-6, 4-8, 7-12 |
| Permit | Yes | 1 | Yes | K-6, 4-8, 7-12 |
| Three Year International Exchange Credential | Yes | 3 | No | K-6, 4-8, 7-12 |
Out-of-state teachers
Title II lists no separate out-of-state credential for Tennessee. Ask Tennessee Department of Education how it reviews licenses from other states.
Newly licensed teachers prepared out of state: 1,245.
Alternative routes
- Practitioner Teacher: Job-embedded (teach while completing)
How to become a teacher in TennesseeTennessee teacher preparation providers
Frequently asked questions
How do I get a teaching certificate in Tennessee?
Tennessee reports 6 credentials to Title II, 5 of them initial. 4 initial credentials require a bachelor's degree, 1 require a preparation program and 1 require tests. Apply through Tennessee Department of Education.
How do I verify a teaching license in Tennessee?
Licenses are verified on the lookup service run by Tennessee Department of Education. PT3 does not verify licenses.
Can I renew a Tennessee teaching certificate?
5 of 6 Tennessee credentials are reported as renewable. Renewal details by credential are listed in the Renewal section.
Does Tennessee issue emergency or temporary teaching certificates?
Yes. Title II lists 3: Adjunct Teaching License; Permit; Three Year International Exchange Credential.
Can I teach in Tennessee with an out-of-state license?
Title II lists no separate out-of-state credential for Tennessee. Ask Tennessee Department of Education how it reviews licenses from other states.
Is there alternative teacher certification in Tennessee?
Yes. Tennessee reports 1 alternative route to Title II.