How to Become a Teacher in Tennessee

Tennessee certification requirements, step by step

Each requirement below is stated as Tennessee Department of Education (TDOE) publishes it, with the governing source cited.

1. 1

   Earn a bachelor's degree

   Hold a bachelor's degree from a regionally accredited college or university. Official transcripts must be submitted to TDOE through an approved clearinghouse or by mail.

   Source: tn.gov

2. 2

   Enroll in or complete an approved educator preparation program

   Be enrolled in or have completed a Tennessee-approved educator preparation program (EPP) and receive a program recommendation for licensure in at least one endorsement area.

   Source: tn.gov

3. 3

   Pass required licensure assessments

   Meet all professional assessment requirements specified by the State Board of Education under Policy 5.105, including Praxis content and pedagogy tests, edTPA, and/or NES exams as listed for your endorsement.

   Source: tn.gov

4. 4

   Apply for a Practitioner Teacher license in TNCompass

   Submit the licensure transaction electronically through TNCompass. TDOE states there is no cost to submit a licensure transaction, though assessment and program fees apply separately.

   Source: tn.gov

5. 5

   Advance to a Professional license

   After three years of qualifying experience and completion of an EPP, advance to a six-year Professional Teacher license by earning 30 professional development points (PDPs) or obtaining a director of schools recommendation.

   Source: tn.gov

Tennessee organizes new teacher credentials around a Practitioner-to-Professional ladder rather than issuing a career-long license at program completion. Practitioner Teacher licenses run three years and function as the entry tier for both in-state completers and many out-of-state applicants reviewed through reciprocity. Advancement to the six-year Professional license requires three years of qualifying experience plus either 30 professional development points or a director of schools recommendation—a gate that ties career progression to documented effectiveness.

Assessment policy is centralized in State Board Policy 5.105 and summarized in TDOE's Licensure Assessments Guidance document. Endorsement areas may require Praxis content and pedagogy tests, edTPA performance assessment, and NES exams in varying combinations. Because cut scores and fees are maintained in the guidance PDF and ETS registration systems rather than statute, candidates should download the current guidance before registering rather than relying on program handouts from prior years.

TNCompass is mandatory for every licensure transaction—apply, advance, renew, add endorsement—and TDOE no longer accepts paper applications. The FAQ Guide explicitly states there is no cost to submit a licensure transaction in Tennessee, distinguishing the state from neighbors that charge per application. Assessment, preparation program, and transcript evaluation costs remain the candidate's responsibility.

Reciprocity pathways are granular. Out-of-state initial-level license holders, out-of-state EPP completers with recommendation, and job-embedded partnership enrollees each follow distinct Practitioner issuance criteria on TDOE's out-of-state educators page. National Board Certified Teachers may qualify for assessment exemptions on advancement, adding another interstate consideration for experienced educators.

Required exams and fees

Tennessee uses ETS Praxis, edTPA, and NES assessments per State Board Policy 5.105. Fees and cut scores appear only when published by the cited source (as of August 2026).

Full Tennessee exam requirements →

Moving a license to Tennessee

Out-of-state educators with valid initial- or professional-level licenses, or completers of out-of-state EPPs with program recommendation, may qualify for a three-year Practitioner license through TNCompass review. National Board Certified Teachers may qualify for advancement exemptions.

Official Tennessee reciprocity guidance