So you want to earn your Tennessee Teacher Certification? Let's take a look at the step by step instructions:

Traditional Approach for the Tennessee Teacher Certification

  1. Earn your Bachelors Degree or higher from an accredited university. If you already have a bachelors degree, then be sure to request more information for your Master’s Degree right away
  2. Teacher Preparations: This will include teacher prep courses, student teaching, and other types of internships. In order to receive a Tennessee Teacher Certification, you must have some experience in teaching, even if it’s unpaid. There 180 hours of field experience required
  3. Pass the Tennessee Competency Exams (EST)
  4. Submit the following:
    • Requested Application
      • Page 2 needs to be submitted by your Certification Official
    • Official transcripts, degrees, and school credits
    • Copies of all test scores
    • Mail to:
      Tennessee Department of Education
      Office of Teacher Licensing
      710 James Robertson Parkway
      4th Floor Andrew Johnson Tower
      Nashville, TN 37243-0377
      (615) 532-4885
  5. Do you want to renew your Tennessee Teacher Certification?

Alternative Approach for a Tennessee Teacher Certification

Alternatively, you can earn the Teacher Conditional Tennessee Teaching Certification to teach in Tennessee. This will allow you to start teaching before you complete the teacher education program.

  1. Obviously you must still earn your Bachelors Degree from an accredited university. Ideally, you should always continue your education in efforts to earn a Master’s degree.
  2. Select which type of alterative license you need
  3. Provide official transcripts
  4. Be employed directly by the Tennessee school district
  5. Pass the Praxis Exam (if required)
  6. spend 24 semester hours to earn full license (if required
  7. Call (615) 532-4885 for more information
  8. Mail to:
    Tennessee Department of Education
    Office of Teacher Licensing
    710 James Robertson Parkway
    4th Floor Andrew Johnson Tower
    Nashville, TN 37243-0377

Top Online Schools

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