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How to become a certified teacher in Tennessee. Bachelor's degree required. Primary exam: Praxis Core Academic Skills for Educators. Government fees: $500–$700. Substitute requirements: Bachelor's degree. Verified 2026-03-21. Data verified 2026-03-21. Source: LicenseMap (getlicensemap.com).
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
Most information on this page has been verified.
92% of data points are verified against official sources. 2 fields based on preliminary research. We recommend confirming details with your state's licensing authority. See sources below · Report incorrect data
Degree Required
Bachelor's degree
Primary Exam
Praxis Core Academic Skills for Educators
Total Gov Fees
$500–$700
Initial Cert
3 years
| Minimum Education | Bachelor's degree |
| Degree Required | Bachelor's degree |
| Teacher Prep Program | Required |
| Student Teaching | Required |
| Background Check | Required |
| Fingerprinting | Required |
| GPA Requirement | 2.75 |
| Minimum Age | 18 |
| Citizenship | U.S. citizen or authorized to work in the U.S. |
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.
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 |
|---|---|
| Application Fee | $75 |
| Fingerprint FeeApproximate cost for TBI/FBI fingerprint-based background check | $50 |
| Exam Fees (Total)Includes Praxis Core ($90 each x3 subtests), Praxis Subject ($120–$170), and PLT ($146) | $300–$500 |
| Initial Certificate | $75 |
| Renewal Fee | $75 |
| Substitute PermitNo state fee for the substitute teacher permit; districts may charge separately. | $0 |
| Total Government FeesIncludes application, fingerprinting, exams, and initial license fee | $500–$700 |
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.
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.
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.
Explore requirements for other professional licenses in Tennessee.
How this state compares to 50 others for this profession
Timeline
#1 of 51
Salary
#42 of 51
Cost
#38 of 51
Processing
#1 of 51
Based on May 2024 Bureau of Labor Statistics OEWS data for Elementary School Teachers, Except Special Education (SOC 25-2021)
Entry Level
$48,410
25th percentile
Median
$52,690
-15% vs. national avg ($62,340)Experienced
$61,980
75th percentile
Wage Distribution (Annual)
28,880 employed in this state
Note: BLS category covers elementary school teachers only. Secondary, special education, and other teaching specializations have separate SOC codes with different wage data.
Source: BLS OEWS – Elementary School Teachers, Except Special Education (May 2024)
National employment projections for 2024-2034
Projected Growth
0%
Below AverageNew Jobs
-500
over 10 years
Annual Openings
103,200
per year (avg.)
1.4M currently employed nationwide (2024)
Source: BLS Employment Projections 2024-2034 (September 2025)
Government fees and exam costs to obtain your initial license
Note: These are government licensing fees only. Education/training program costs (tuition, books, etc.) are not included as they vary widely by institution.
Source: Tennessee Department of Education - Educator Licensing
Estimated total: 216–234 weeks
Timeline estimated from licensing requirements on this page.
Source: Tennessee Department of Education - Educator Licensing
4–12 weeks
Estimated processing time
Source: Tennessee Department of Education - Educator Licensing
Study guides for Praxis Core and subject-specific teacher exams.
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Tennessee requires completion of a state-approved teacher preparation program to earn your teaching certificate. Explore approved programs and alternative certification routes.
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