Become a Teacher in Tennessee

Step One: Tennessee Prerequisite Coursework

Generally, states require that certified teachers hold, at a minimum, a bachelor’s degree. Additionally, some states have undergraduate credit hour requirements for certification in specialty areas; Tennessee, however, has no such requirements, according to its Department of Education.

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Master’s Requirements

Many schools of education now offer online MAT programs that provide increased flexibility by allowing aspiring or working teachers to attend class and complete coursework from any location that has an Internet connection. Online MAT programs are a practical option for students who have professional and personal commitments that make it difficult to obtain teaching certification through a full-time program.

The best online programs offer the same curriculum as the school’s on-campus program and apply the same admission requirements. Providing students with the ability to communicate with instructors and classmates in a face-to-face online environment is another hallmark of a good online program. In addition, candidates in online MAT programs should be provided with the opportunity to complete student teaching fieldwork in the local community.

Learn more about getting your MAT online with our partner USC Rossier School of Education.

Step Two: Tennessee Teacher Preparation

The traditional route to teacher certification in Tennessee includes the completion of an accredited teacher education program.

For information about scholarships that can help you pay for your teacher education program, visit the Certification Map Tennessee Teacher Scholarships page.

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. Learn more about alternative certification in Tennessee on Certification Map.

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Step Three: Tennessee Required Tests

The Tennessee Department of Education requires that all teaching applicants successfully complete the Praxis Core Academic Skills for Educators tests and all of the relevant Praxis tests for their Specific Licensure Areas.

CORE

PLT

Content Area Assessment

Visit Tennessee’s Praxis Requirements for a complete list of available assessments.

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Step Four: Tennessee Application Requirements

New teachers in Tennessee begin their careers with their Practitioner License, which is valid for three years and may be renewed once. Requirements for a Practitioner License include:

• Be at least 18 years of age;
• Hold a bachelor’s degree (or higher) from an accredited institution;
• Be enrolled in or have successfully completed a state-approved educator preparation program and be recommended for licensing;
• Successfully complete all required Praxis exams.

Background Check

The state of Tennessee does not require teaching candidates to submit to a fingerprint clearance or background check to obtain licensure. However, individual schools and/or districts may require applicants to pass a background clearance as part of the hiring process. Contact your local school district to find out more information regarding its fingerprint policies.

Teachers-Teachers: Tennessee

The Tennessee Department of Education partnered with Teachers-Teachers to provide teaching applicants with a database allowing them to search and apply online for available teaching opportunities within the Tennessee public school system.

Teach in Nashville, TN

Metropolitan Nashville Public Schools (MNPS) is one of the largest school districts in the state of Tennessee. MNPS has the same certification requirements as the rest of Tennessee but has a different set of application requirements for teaching within the Nashville public school system. Visit MNPS’s information on how to teach in Nashville website.

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Tennessee Certification Reciprocity

Tennessee will accept some teaching credentials from other states. Contact the Tennessee Department of Education to inquire about your specific situation. Please see the Certification Map interstate reciprocity disclaimer for more information.

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Tennessee Teacher Salary

• Incentives to teach in high-needs schools or shortage subject areas: Tennessee provides differential pay support for teachers working in high-needs schools and instructing shortage subject areas.
• Policies in place that articulate elements of effective induction: The Tennessee Department of Education requires teaching candidates to complete a period of student teaching, but no mentoring program is mandated for new teachers.
• Average Elementary Teacher Salary: $50,320
• Average Secondary Teacher Salary: $51,390
• Average Number of Vacation Weeks Per Year: 17

Figures regarding teacher salaries are sourced from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics’ May 2017 Occupational Employment Statistics report.

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Tennessee Certification Resources & Links

• Tennessee Department of Education

710 James Robertson Parkway
Nashville, Tennessee 37243
615-741-5158

• Tennessee Teacher Tenure
• Troops to Teachers Tennessee: In Tennessee, Troops to Teachers is managed by the National Office.
• Teachers Test Prep: Free online Praxis Study Guides and Praxis Practice Tests, as well as a variety of preparation options to meet your individual needs, including prep classes, private tutoring, and online prep.