Educator Licensure

The department works to issue licenses efficiently to Tennessee educators in compliance with Legislative Codes and State Board Rules and Regulations.

Now processing:
  • Initial In-state Licensing applications received the week of December 26, 2016
  • Out of State Licensing applications received the week of December 7, 2016
  • Renewal  applications received the week of December 26, 2016
  • Advancement applications received the week of January 2, 2017
  • Additional Degrees/Endorsement applications received the week of December 12, 2016
  • Administrator applications received the week of December 5, 2016

To help us process applications efficiently, please wait at least six weeks after submitting your application before contacting our office with any concerns.

Check your license status

News & Notes

Deadline Extended

The deadline for renewing or advancing a teacher, occupational teacher, or school service personnel license that expired on Aug. 31, 2016, has been extended until Dec. 31, 2016. Applications previously submitted to the office of educator licensure and preparation will be honored even if the application has not yet been fully processed, and the license will remain active.

Once the application has been processed, the license will be renewed or advanced if the educator meets the requirements. If there is a deficiency on an application, the department will provide the educator an opportunity to correct the deficiency. If the deficiency cannot be corrected, the license will become inactive. For more information, please visit the Renew a License section of this website.

Office of Educator Licensure and Preparation Call Center Hours

The office of educator licensure and preparation call center is available Monday through Friday, 8-10:30 a.m. and 1:30-4 p.m. CST.

Update Regarding Expiring Licenses & Using Evaluation Scores for PDPs

The deadline for renewing or advancing a teacher, occupational teacher, or school service personnel license that expired on Aug. 31, 2016 has been extended until Dec. 1, 2016. Applications previously submitted to the office of educator licensure and preparation will be honored even if the application has not yet been fully processed, and the license will remain active.

Once the application has been processed, the license will be renewed or advanced if the educator meets the requirements. If there is a deficiency on an application, the department will provide the educator an opportunity to correct the deficiency. If the deficiency cannot be corrected, the license will become inactive.

Educator Licensure Policy – Transition Procedures

Under the new educator licensure policy that went into effect Sept. 1, educators may only renew a license during the year immediately preceding the date of expiration. As we transition to the new licensure policy, we will begin accepting applications for conversion or advancement of licenses that expire in 2016 on March 1, 2016. Licenses will be converted to the Practitioner License or advanced to the 6-year Professional License.

Please see this document for more information about converting or advancing active licenses after March 1, 2016.

Please see this document for more information about reactivating an inactive license.

Licensure Changes in 2015

Beginning September 1, 2015, a new policy for licensure will go into effect. Read more about these policy changes. The policy is available on the State Board of Education web site, policy number 5.502.

End of Course Examination Changes for Integrated Math and Geometry

Algebra I, Geometry, Algebra II and Integrated Math I, II, III will have End of Course exams beginning in 2015-16. Teachers of record who teach above Algebra I or Integrated Math I must carry a secondary mathematics endorsement.

Algebra I Employment Standards

Changes

Pursuant to TCA 49-6-6006 and State Board Policy, anyone listed as the teacher of record for a course above Algebra I or Integrated Math I must carry a secondary mathematics endorsement. Any teacher interested in teaching Algebra I or Integrated Math I at any grade level who does not currently hold a secondary mathematics endorsement must meet the State Board approved employment standard. This chiefly affects middle school teachers who are teaching Algebra 1 or Integrated Math I and special education teachers who are serving as the teacher of record. At the Oct. 31, 2014 meeting, the State Board of Education approved on final reading two additional options for educators to meet the requirements for eligibility; these changes will take effect spring 2015.

In order to teach Algebra I or Integrated Math I without a secondary mathematics endorsement, educators must pass the Middle School Mathematics Praxis (test 5169) AND must meet one of the following:

  1. Attend a state-approved training.  Additional training options have been approved.  For questions about specific trainings, interested educators should contact the person listed or review this attachment with detailed training information. - OR -
  2. Take and pass a supplemental test approved by the department. The department is in the process of reviewing and approving supplemental tests.
    1. College Board CLEP test: College Algebra ( Passing Score 60 )
    2. College Board CLEP test: College Mathematics ( Passing score 60)

In addition, the state board ruled that teachers with a level 5 TVAAS score in Algebra I (one-year, two-year, or three-year) in the 2011-12, 2012-13, 2013-14 school years do NOT need to take the training or pass the supplemental test. These educators must still pass the Middle School Mathematics Praxis (test 5169) to be eligible to teach Algebra I or Integrated Math I. The Tennessee Department of Education will send Directors of Schools a list of teachers whose TVAAS scores meet the employment standard in January 2015.

Look for more information to be communicated in the new year regarding changes to the employment standards.

Questions about the Employment Standard should be directed to Melissa Haun, coordinator of mathematics content and resources.

Additional Resources