Guidelines for Advancing from Apprentice Teacher License to Professional License

An educator with an Apprentice Teacher License who is employed in Tennessee becomes eligible to advance to the Professional License upon recommendation by the employing school system. Guidelines for licensure advancement are as follows:

1. The educator must be evaluated by a school administrator who has completed the "Framework for Evaluation and Professional Growth" training.
2. The educator must be currently employed for a minimum of 5 months, hold a valid Apprentice Teacher License, and have a total of three years (minimum of 25 months) of verified teaching experience.
3. The educator's current teaching assignment must match an endorsement area on his/her valid Apprentice Teacher License.
4. An educator granted a Waiver, an Interim License, or Permit for the current school year is not eligible for license advancement.
5. Licensure advancement forms (both positive and negative recommendation) must be submitted from the local school district to the Field Service Centers beginning March 15th for the current school year. Local school districts can download Advancement to Professional License Form form or contact the Advancement Consultant at (615) 532-4885 to request the form be mailed.

Note: An educator may not submit the Licensure Advancement Form on his/her own behalf. It may only be submitted by the employing Tennessee school system.