TENNESSEE
STATE RESOURCES

Tennessee requires all educators to hold at least a Bachelor's degree from a regionally accredited university. More information can be found here: https://www.tn.gov/education/educators/licensing/educator-licensure/new-to-education.html 

Tennessee educators must complete the Praxis Principles of Learning and Teaching assessment and additional tests based on endorsements and specialties. More details can be found here: https://praxis.ets.org/state-requirements/tennessee-tests.html 

To apply to be an educator in Tennessee, applicants 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 as specified by the State Board of Education (required assessment information can be found here);

• meet requirements in at least one area of endorsement; and

• Ensure that the Department has official transcripts of all degrees earned through a regionally accredited institution of higher learning

• Meet TN Literacy Success Act requirements, if applicable

More information can be found here: https://www.tn.gov/education/educators/licensing.html 

Tennessee does not offer an alternative route to teacher licensure at this time.

Tennessee's Department of Education maintains a list of approved Education Preparation Programs and Providers: https://www.tn.gov/education/educators/licensing/educator-preparation/educator-preparation-programs-provider.html 

• Tennessee Council for Exceptional Children - https://tennessee.exceptionalchildren.org/ 

• Student Tennessee Association (STEA) - https://tnea.org/how-we-help/instructional-advocacy/aspiring-educator-programs 

• TN Future Teacher Scholarship - https://www.collegefortn.org/future-teacher-scholarship/ 

• Don Sahli-Kathy Woodall Scholarship Fund - https://tnea.org/how-we-help/instructional-advocacy/scholarships-and-awards 

• Tennessee Grow Your Own program - https://growyourown.tennessee.edu/