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Teacher / Substitute Teacher · Tennessee
Everything you need to become a certified teacher or substitute teacher in Tennessee. Education, exams, fees, and application steps — verified against Tennessee Department of Education.
Last verified: 2026-03-21
Some details on this page are not yet confirmed against an official source. See sources below or contact the licensing board to verify.
Degree Required
Bachelor's degree
Primary Exam
Praxis Core Academic Skills for Educators
Total Gov Fees
$500–$700
Initial Cert
3 years
| Requirement | Value | Confidence |
|---|---|---|
| Minimum Education | Bachelor's degree | Verified |
| Degree Required | Bachelor's degree | Verified |
| Teacher Prep Program | Required | Verified |
| Student Teaching | Required | Verified |
| Background Check | Required | Verified |
| Fingerprinting | Required | |
| GPA Requirement | 2.75 cumulative GPA on most recently awarded degree | Verified |
| Minimum Age | 18 | Verified |
| Citizenship | U.S. citizen or authorized to work in the U.S. | Verified |
Not sure if you need a teacher license? Check whether your state requires one.
basic skills
Passing score: Varies by subtest (Reading: 156, Writing: 162, Math: 150)
Three subtests: Reading, Writing, and Mathematics. Required unless exempt via ACT/SAT/GRE scores.
content knowledge
Passing score: Varies by subject area
Content knowledge exam specific to the teaching endorsement area.
pedagogy
Passing score: Varies by grade level (K–6: 160, 5–9: 160, 7–12: 157)
Pedagogy exam required for initial licensure, taken at the appropriate grade band.
Didn't pass on the first try? Learn what to do if you fail the Praxis.
Overall licensing difficulty: 23/100
Study recommendation: 1–2 weeks of focused review is usually sufficient
Practice with realistic exam questions
Praxis Teacher Certification Exams
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Difficulty rating based on education, exam, and experience requirements. Individual experience may vary.
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Praxis Core Academic Skills for Educators
Passing Score
Varies by subtest (Reading: 156, Writing: 162, Math: 150)
Cost of failing
Retake fee: $300–$500Invest in preparation to pass the first time.
How long should you study? Most candidates study 2–4 weeks before taking the Praxis Core Academic Skills for Educators.
Matched study materials
Study Materials & Exam Prep — Praxis Core Academic Skills
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Initial license issued to educators who complete an approved teacher preparation program and pass all required exams.
Issued after completing all requirements during the Practitioner License period, including mentoring and professional development.
Issued to candidates in alternative preparation programs who have not yet completed all requirements for the Practitioner License.
Minimum Education
Bachelor's degree
Certificate Required
Substitute Teacher Permit
Background Check
Required
Permit Fee
$0
Validity
Determined by employing district
Tennessee requires substitute teachers to hold at least a bachelor's degree and pass a background check. Districts hire substitutes directly and may have additional requirements.
| Fee | Amount | Confidence |
|---|---|---|
| Application Fee | $75 | Verified |
| Fingerprint FeeApproximate cost for TBI/FBI fingerprint-based background check | $50 | Verified |
| Exam Fees (Total)Includes Praxis Core ($90 each x3 subtests), Praxis Subject ($120–$170), and PLT ($146) | $300–$500 | Verified |
| Initial Certificate | $75 | Verified |
| Renewal Fee | $75 | Verified |
| Substitute PermitNo state fee for the substitute teacher permit; districts may charge separately. | $0 | Mostly verified |
| Total Government FeesIncludes application, fingerprinting, exams, and initial license fee | $500–$700 | Verified |
Use our licensing cost calculator to estimate your total investment including education and exam fees.
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Graduate from a state-approved or regionally accredited teacher preparation program with a bachelor's degree.
Pass Praxis Core, Praxis Subject Assessment, and Praxis PLT for your endorsement area and grade level.
Fee: $300–$500
Submit fingerprints for TBI and FBI background checks.
Fee: $50
Apply through the Tennessee Educator Licensing System (TELS) portal.
Fee: $75
Upon approval, receive a 3-year Practitioner License.
Tennessee offers multiple alternative certification pathways for career changers with bachelor's degrees. The Apprentice License allows candidates to teach while completing their preparation program. Programs typically require a bachelor's degree with a minimum 2.75 GPA.
Available Programs:
CE Required
Yes
Hours per Cycle
90
Renewal Cycle
6 years
Tennessee requires 90 TASL (Tennessee Academy for School Leaders) points or equivalent professional development credits per renewal cycle for the Professional License. Options include coursework, conferences, and professional learning communities.
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Reciprocity Type
Case-by-case review
Interstate Agreement
NASDTEC Interstate Agreement
Tennessee accepts out-of-state licenses on a case-by-case basis. Applicants must hold a valid license from another state and may need to pass Tennessee-specific exams.
Additional requirements: May require passing Praxis exams in relevant subject areas if not previously completed.
Moving to another state? Use our Transfer Tool to see what you need →
Compare Tennessee with other states →
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Unique to Tennessee: Tennessee uses a TASL (Tennessee Academy for School Leaders) point system for professional development tracking. The state also issues an Apprentice License (1-year, renewable) specifically for alternative certification candidates, allowing them to teach as the teacher of record while still completing their preparation program.
Teacher requirements in nearby states
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See how Tennessee compares: Teacher License Fees by State — Cheapest to Most Expensive →
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Official Sources
Teacher requirements in Tennessee verified against Tennessee Department of Education, March 2026.
Moving to Tennessee? Use our free Transfer Tool to see what you need →
Already licensed elsewhere? See how to transfer your Teacher license to Tennessee →
Transfer your Teacher license from Tennessee to: Alabama → | Arkansas → | Georgia → | Kentucky → | Mississippi → | Missouri → | North Carolina → | Virginia →
Study guides for Praxis Core and subject-specific teacher exams.
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