Become a Teacher
in Tennessee
Certification Roadmap
*Click buttons to jump to section
Tennessee Prerequisite Coursework
Tennessee Teacher Preparation
Tennessee Certification Reciprocity
Tennessee Teacher Salary
Tennessee Required Tests
Teacher Certification Information & Links
Tennessee Highlights
$45790
Avg. Elementary Teacher Salary
$46660
Avg. Secondary Teacher Salary
130%
Teacher Salary vs. State Average
15
Vacation Weeks Per Year:
To become a certified teacher in Tennessee, you will need to fulfill all prerequisite coursework, teacher preparation, and testing requirements.
Our goal is to make this process as easy as possible, and we are dedicated to updating the site with new information on a regular basis. To stay up-to-date with the latest in teacher certification, please complete the form in the right sidebar.
Tennessee Prerequisite Coursework
All states require that certified teachers at a minimum have a Bachelor’s degree. Additionally, some states have undergraduate credit hour requirements for certification in specialty areas. Tennessee, however, does not have any undergraduate credit hour requirements.
Tennessee Teacher Preparation
Teacher preparation includes the completion of an accredited teacher education program.
Typically teacher education programs consist of a combination of curricula and fieldwork. The curricula often includes instruction on foundational knowledge and skills, pedagogy (or the art and science of teaching), and preparing students to research, design and implement learning experiences in their field of study. The fieldwork component can include field observations, student teaching, and an internship.
Alternative Certification
Graduates of accredited colleges or universities whose bachelor’s degree was not in education, and who have not yet earned a traditional teaching certificate, can still receive an alternative teaching certificate by satisfying certain requirements. Information about alternative certification in Tennessee is coming soon!
Tennessee Certification Reciprocity
Tennessee will accept some teaching credentials from the following states. Contact the Tennessee Department of Education to inquire about your specific situation. Please see our interstate reciprocity disclaimer for more information.
| Alabama | Arizona | Arkansas | California |
| Colorado | Connecticut | Delaware | Florida |
| Georgia | Hawaii | Idaho | Illinois |
| Indiana | Kansas | Kentucky | Louisiana |
| Maine | Maryland | Massachusetts | Michigan |
| Mississippi | Missouri | Montana | Nebraska |
| Nevada | New Hampshire | New Jersey | New Mexico |
| New York | North Carolina | North Dakota | Ohio |
| Oklahoma | Oregon | Pennsylvania | Rhode Island |
| South Carolina | South Dakota | Texas | Utah |
| Vermont | Virginia | Washington | West Virginia |
| Wisconsin | Wyoming |
Tennessee Teacher Salary
- Incentives to teach in high-needs schools or shortage subject areas: Tennessee provides differential pay support for teachers teaching in high needs schools and teachers teaching in shortage subject areas
- Policies in place that articulate elements of effective induction: Tennessee has limited to weak induction policies in place
- Average Elementary Teacher Salary: The average elementary school teacher in Tennessee makes $45,790
- Average Secondary Teacher Salary: The average secondary teacher in Tennessee makes $46,660
- Teacher Salary vs. State Average Salary: The average teacher in Tennessee makes 130% of the salary of the average worker in Tennessee
- Number of Vacation Weeks Per Year: The average teacher in Tennessee receives 15 weeks of vacation per year
Tennessee Teacher Certification Information & Links
- Tennessee Department of Education
- Tennessee Teacher Tenure
- This page is sponsored by MAT@USC, an innovative Master of Arts in Teaching program delivered online from the University of Southern California. Click here to learn more and become a teacher in Tennessee
