Tennessee Alternative Teacher Certification Process and Programs

Alternative teacher preparation programs, also known as non-traditional programs, are designed for those with a bachelor’s degree outside of education and typically lead to a certificate or master’s degree. All paths to licensure in Tennessee require candidates to complete an approved educator preparation program (EPP). If you don’t already have a bachelor’s degree, see our guide to traditional certification in Tennessee. If you do have a bachelor’s degree, continue reading to find out more about alternative pathways to teacher licensure in the state.

Table of Contents

• Tennessee Alternative Certification Requirements
• Types of Alternative Teaching Licenses
• Testing Requirements
• Licenses From Another State
• Schools With Alternative and Master’s Programs
• Best Alternative Certification Programs
• Fastest Alternative Certification Programs
• Additional Resources

Requirements for Alternative Certification

Candidates who already hold a bachelor’s degree and complete an EPP can qualify for a Tennessee teaching license. A common pathway for these candidates is to complete a master’s degree in education or teaching. A master’s degree in the subject to be taught that includes an approved teacher preparation program can also qualify candidates for a teaching license.

Note that any EPP completed must be authorized and approved by the Tennessee Board of Education (TDOE). Refer to the TDOE Educator Preparation webpage for further details.

Types of Alternative Teaching Licenses in Tennessee

Tennessee offers two licenses for initial classroom teachers, the Practitioner Teacher License for traditional classroom subjects, and the Practitioner Occupational License for career and technical education (CTE) subjects. Both of these can be obtained through a traditional or alternative route. Be sure to visit the TDOE website for more detail on the requirements for each.

Practitioner Teacher License

For those who would like to teach while completing the education and teaching requirements for licensure, Tennessee offers the Practitioner Teacher License, sometimes referred to as a job-embedded pathway. This license is valid for three years and can only be renewed once. To qualify for the license, candidates must already have a bachelor’s degree, meet the education requirements for at least one endorsement area, and be enrolled in an approved EPP that leads to a Practitioner Teacher License.

Practitioner Occupational Teacher License

The Practitioner Occupational Teacher License for CTE subjects requires that candidates be admitted to or have completed an EPP. Candidates must be recommended for licensure by the program and meet endorsement experience requirements. Minimum qualifications for CTE licensure typically include a high school diploma plus five years of industry experience with a recognized industry-related credential if available.

Testing Requirements for Tennessee Alternative Certification

Alternative certification candidates must pass the same exams as traditional-pathway educators, including the Praxis Subject Test related to the content area and grade level they wish to teach. Candidates may also need to take the Praxis Core Academic Skills for Educators (Core) tests for admission to an EPP, depending on the program’s entry requirements. Occupational license applicants may also be required to take the Praxis Principles of Learning and Teaching (PLT) exam. See the Praxis website to determine your required exams.

Transferring Teaching Licenses From Another State

Tennessee offers reciprocity to experienced teachers with out-of-state teacher certification. To qualify, candidates must hold a bachelor’s degree, verify content knowledge by taking (or provide proof of previously passing) the required Praxis exams, and submit a recommendation from their EPP using the Out-of-State Educator Preparation Verification Form. For more information on becoming a certified teacher in Tennessee through reciprocity, review our guide to interstate reciprocity or contact the TDOE.

Schools With Alternative and Master’s Programs in Tennessee

To qualify for teacher certification, you must complete an approved teacher preparation program. Alternative route teacher licensing programs typically lead to a certificate or master’s degree. The not-for-profit, school-based alternative certification programs below have been approved by the TDOE for the preparation of teachers.

• — indicates none or not applicable.
• N.Av. indicates data was not available or pass rates were omitted for confidentiality.
• *Schools with an asterisk offer programs that can include paid classroom placements, subject to qualifications and experience. Students may be responsible for securing their own placement. Contact programs for further information.

Best Alternative Teacher Certification Programs in Tennessee

We used overall pass rates on the teacher licensing exams to identify the best alternative teacher certification programs in Tennessee. The following schools all reported 100% pass rates for alternative and master’s program graduates.

• Austin Peay State University (Alternative, Certificate, Master’s)
• Carson Newman University (Alternative, Master’s)
• Christian Brothers University (Alternative, Certificate, Master’s)
• Lee University (Master’s)
• Lipscomb University (Certificate, Master’s)
• Middle Tennessee State University (Alternative, Master’s)
• Tennessee Technological University (Master’s)
• University of Tennessee-Knoxville (Alternative, Certificate, Master’s)⁴

Fastest Alternative Certification Programs

The following schools have the fastest programs to qualify for teacher certification in Tennessee based on the shortest possible time to completion. Shorter alternative certification programs are often more affordable since they require fewer credit hours. Check with programs to verify program costs and funding opportunities.

1. Lipscomb University (8 months)
2. University of Tennessee-Knoxville (10 months)
3. University of Tennessee-Martin (10 months)
4. Austin Peay State University (12 months)
5. Belmont University (12 months)
6. Carson Newman University (12 months)
7. Christian Brothers University (12 months)
8. Cumberland University (12 months)
9. Lincoln Memorial University (12 months)
10. Maryville College (12 months)
11. Tennessee Wesleyan University (12 months)
12. Tusculum University (12 months)
13. Union University (12 months)

Additional Resources

• Approved Educator Preparation Programs in Tennessee: Directory of state-approved teacher preparation programs.
• Nashville Teacher Residency (NTR): Alternate route provider that recruits and trains teachers in high-need subjects in underserved Middle Tennessee communities.
• Tennessee Department of Education (TDOE): Provides detailed information on certification pathways and requirements.

Related Articles

• Alternative Teacher Certification Guide
• Tennessee Traditional Teacher Certification Guide
• Teacher Certification Reciprocity Guide

References:
1. Tennessee Department of Education: https://www.tn.gov/education/
2. Council for the Accreditation of Educator Preparation (CAEP): https://caepnet.org/provider-search
3. Association for Advancing Quality in Educator Preparation (AAQEP): https://aaqep.org/accredited-programs
4. US Department of Education 2021 Title II Report: https://title2.ed.gov/Public/Home.aspx
5. National Center for Education Statistics College Navigator: https://nces.ed.gov/collegenavigator/