Tennessee Highlights
Important Note: Education licensure requirements, statistics and other information are subject to change. CertificationMap.com makes its best effort to keep content accurate; however, the official sources are the state education departments. Please confirm licensing requirements with your state before applying for licensure or renewal. Last updated: 08/11/2018
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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 CertificationmMap.com with new information on a regular basis.
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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.
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.
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
| Qualifying Score | Required Test(s) | Certification |
|---|---|---|
|
156 |
CORE: Reading |
Successful completion of all three (3) CORE tests are is required for admission into any state-approved teacher education program |
PLT
| Qualifying Score | Required Test(s) | Certification |
|---|---|---|
|
157 |
PLT: Early Childhood, or |
Successful completion of one PLT test – depending on grade level – is required for all teaching licenses. |
Content Area Assessment
| Qualifying Score | Required Test(s) | Early Childhood, Elementary, & Middle School Education Certifications |
|---|---|---|
|
160 |
Education of Young Children |
Early Childhood Education (PreK-3) |
|
160 |
Education of Young Children |
Early Development & Learning (PreK-3): Dual Discipline Endorsement |
|
153 |
Elementary Education: Curriculum, Instruction & Assessment |
Elementary Education (K-6) |
|
150 |
Middle School: Content Knowledge |
Middle Grades Education (4-8) |
| Qualifying Score | Required Test(s) | Secondary Education (7-12) Certification |
|---|---|---|
|
148 |
Biology: Content Knowledge |
Biology |
|
152 |
Chemistry: Content Knowledge |
Chemistry |
|
164 |
Chinese (Mandarin): World Language |
Chinese |
|
150 |
Earth & Space Sciences: Content Knowledge |
Earth Science |
|
150 |
Economics |
Economics |
|
167 |
English Language Arts: Content Knowledge |
English |
|
160 |
French: World Language |
French |
|
149 |
Geography |
Geography |
|
163 |
German: World Languages |
German |
|
149 |
Government/Political Science |
Government |
|
157 |
World & U.S. History: Content Knowledge |
History |
|
148 |
Latin |
Latin |
|
160 |
Mathematics: Content Knowledge |
Mathematics |
|
144 |
Physics: Content Knowledge |
Physics |
|
154 |
Psychology |
Psychology |
|
154 |
Sociology |
Sociology |
|
163 |
World Language |
Spanish |
|
144 |
Speech Communication: Content Knowledge |
Speech Communication |
| Qualifying Score | Required Test(s) | Special Education Certification |
|---|---|---|
|
158 |
Special Education: Core Knowledge & Severe to Profound Applications |
Special Ed.: Comprehensive (K-12) |
|
151 |
Special Education: Core Knowledge & Applications |
Special Ed.: Hearing (K-12) |
|
158 |
Special Education: Core Knowledge & Mild to Moderate Applications |
Special Ed.: Modified (K-12) |
|
151 |
Special Education: Core Knowledge & Applications |
Special Ed.: Preschool/Early Childhood Education (PreK-3) |
|
162 |
Speech-Language Pathology |
Special Ed.: Speech Language Pathologist (PreK-12) |
|
151 |
Special Education: Core Knowledge & Applications |
Special Ed.: Vision (PreK-12) |
Visit Tennessee’s Praxis Requirements for a complete list of available assessments.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
Tennessee Certification Resources & Links
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.