Department of Education
Kevin Huffman, Commissioner

If you completed educator licensure requirements in another state, you must submit an out-of-state license application packet in order to apply for a Tennessee license.

Tennessee has either an Interstate Agreement OR National Council for Accreditation of Teacher Education (NCATE) that covers all states.

The following documentation is needed for evaluation per Tennessee’s agreement: 

1. Out of State Application - must be complete with original signature and mailed to our office.
2. Original/Official Transcripts-from all college(s)
• will accept - original transcript from university, Scrip-Safe sent electronically to the Tennessee Department of Education, or official transcript issued to student.
• will not accept - photocopies, scanned, grade reports, faxed, etc.
3. Enclose copy of educator credential from other state(s) with validity dates. To view a list of current endorsements, click on the link Current Endorsement Codes.
• License will issued with endorsements most similar to those awarded in Tennessee.
4. Acceptable experience in a K-12 school outside the state of Tennessee must be submitted on the Experience Verification Form   (see page 2 of experience verification form for definition of acceptable experience) This form must be signed by an official from the central office of the school system(s) employed. The form(s) should be returned to you and attached to your application.  If you have acceptable experience of 3 years out of the last 7 years in a K-12 school outside of Tennessee that is recognized by the state, you may be eligible for a Tennessee License based upon our Interstate Agreement.
• Important:  Keep a copy of this form.  You will need to give a copy to the director of schools when you are employed in a Tennessee school.
5. If you have less than 3 years of acceptable experience out of the last 7 years that is recognized by the state of Tennessee,  the college/university where you completed your licensure program will need to complete the application section titled Teacher Education outside the State of Tennessee. (bottom of page 2 of the out of state application) See application for acceptable authorized signature.
6. Praxis Series II Tests— the need for testing will be determined upon the review of your application.  Click to view information about Praxis Series II tests required in Tennessee.  If tests are required, the results should be sent to 8190 (the Tennessee code with Educational Testing Services (ETS) along with your social security number.
• Tests less than 10 years old - we will accept the 'Designated Institution Score Report' submitted directly to our office by the college/university or from ETS.
• Tennessee does not accept the 'Examinee Score Report' unless tests are over 10 years old - enclose a copy with your application packet
• Tennessee only accepts Praxis II and NTE through ETS. No other test results recognized.
7. Please submit all documentation at one time.  Failure to comply could delay the processing of your application for licensure.

If you have a license issued prior to July 1, 1984, attach a copy of your out-of-state license showing the issue date or the Verification of Teaching License prior to July 1, 1984   form.

VERIFICATION OF APPLICATION/LICENSE STATUS

You may check our Teacher Lookup web site to verify receipt of licensure information.  We suggest only entering your first and last name as listed on the application.  Click on the name, the license information will be revealed. 

Correspondence received in our office pertaining to the license will be located at the bottom of the license information page.  This will reflect correspondence received in our office since about July 2007.  Applications are worked in the order in which they are received.  Once an application is received in our office, you may apply for positions in Tennessee.  If a school system is interested in hiring, they will contact our office on your behalf.

Status of the license will vary based upon where it is in the evaluation process.              

• Pending status - application has been received, entered into database, given to licensing specialist for review. Application will stay in this status until reviewed and eligibility determined. 
• Requirements not met - application has been reviewed and deficiencies determined.  You will receive correspondence from licensing specialist defining the deficiency.
• Active status - application reviewed with no deficiencies, license was issued.