Tennessee Teachers: How to Go from Temporary Permit to Practitioner License 


| by Hannah Sparling

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Tennessee is one of the fastest-growing states in the nation.  

There were 6.9 million Tennesseans in 2020, according to the U.S. Census Bureau, 7 million in 2022, and 7.1 million in 2023. 

Overall, the Volunteer State is the eighth fastest-growing percentagewise, and the sixth fastest-growing overall.  

The bottom line: As Tennessee grows, so does its need for high-quality teachers. 

If you are teaching in Tennessee on a temporary permit and want to transition to a practitioner teacher license, here’s how to get started.

How to Transition from Temporary Permit to Practitioner Teacher License in Tennessee 

Step 1: Earn a bachelor’s degree. 

Since a bachelor’s degree is required for academic teachers in Tennessee — even those with temporary or emergency credentials — you can go ahead and check this off your list. 

This degree does not have to be in education. You simply need a bachelor’s from an accredited college or university.  

On to step two! 

Step 2: Complete an accepted Educator Preparation Program. 

You can decide which program is best for you, and there are plenty of options. A few points to consider: 

  • Is the program online or in-person? If it’s online, will you get the support you need? If it’s in-person, how will that fit into your schedule? 
  • How long does it last? Some programs take a year or two to complete. Moreland University’s TEACH-NOW Teacher Preparation Certificate Program can be completed in as little as 9 months. 
  • How much does it cost? Are there any scholarships available? Will your school district help cover tuition?  
  • What is the clinical learning, or student teaching, experience? 
  • Is the program accredited? 
  • What support will you receive for your certification exams?  

If you’re still unsure, this guide can help.  

Step 3: Pass the required certification exams.  

In Tennessee, you’ll take Praxis exams, including the Principles of Learning and Teaching and the Core Academic Skills for Educators Tests (the Core tests are for admission to your EPP).  

You’ll also take content-specific tests depending on which grades or subjects you want to teach. 

On the Tennessee Department of Education website, you can search and filter by certification area to see which specific tests you’ll need to pass.  

Step 4: Meet the requirements for at least one area of endorsement. 

Endorsements relate to the specific subjects and grades you are eligible to teach. Maybe you want an endorsement to teach biology for grades 6-12, for example, or elementary education for grades K-5. 

You can find all the endorsement areas in Tennessee on the department of education’s website.  

Step 5: Send your transcripts to the Tennessee Department of Education, and apply for your license.  

You can apply for your license on the TNCompass page on the department of education’s website. Be sure to include any applicable fees. 

Types of Tennessee Teaching Licenses 

An initial teaching license in Tennessee is called a practitioner teacher license, and it’s valid for three years. From there, with the appropriate experience and professional development points, you can advance to a professional teaching license. A professional license is valid for six years.  

Why Teach in Tennessee? 

If you’re hoping for a long teaching career in Tennessee, you’re in good company: The state has 147 districts, 1,900 schools, and more than 71,000 K-12 teachers, according to the Tennessee Department of Education

Tennessee’s teacher-retention rate — teachers who remain teaching in the state from one year to the next — is 91.5%. 

If you’re currently teaching with a temporary license in Tennessee and are unsure about how to earn your full license, the state department of education can help guide you through the process. 

The Tennessee Education Association is another great resource.  

Or you can reach out to us at Moreland University. Our admissions reps are always happy to chat 1:1 about your specific questions and goals. 


Moreland University can help you become a certified teacher in Tennessee in as little as 9 months with our TEACH-NOW Teacher Preparation Certificate Program. It’s fully accredited and 100% online, with rolling admissions and monthly start dates. 

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