TDOE:Teacher Licensing:Apprentice Teacher or Out-of-State

The Beginning Administrator License is valid for five years and is renewable until the license holder is employed as a principal or supervisor of instruction. Once the holder of the Beginning Administrator License obtains employment as a beginning principal or supervisor of instruction in a Tennessee public or state accredited private school, the professional development and evaluation process begins for advancement to the Professional Administrator License. For holders of the Beginning Administrator License who are employed as assistant principals, teachers, or for other administrative positions, there are no renewal requirements that need to be met other than submission of a renewal application. This application should not be submitted until after March 1 of third year of validity. (Ex: validity period 2005 to 2010, submit renewal application after 3-1-2008 to extend until 2015) Click to download a Beginning Administrator renewal application

APPRENTICE, APPRENTICE SPECIAL GROUP OR OUT OF STATE LICENSES

Apprentice, Apprentice Special Group and Out-of-State Teacher Licenses are issued for a five year period. If an educator teaches in a Tennessee public school system for three years on the Apprentice, Apprentice Special Group or Out-of-State Teacher License, and receives a positive local evaluation, he/she will advance to the Professional License. If the Apprentice, Apprentice Special Group or Out-of-State Teacher License is not used for three years in a Tennessee public school system, it can be renewed every five years by meeting current renewal requirements.

All educators holding Apprentice, Apprentice Special Group or Out-of-State Teacher Licenses based on a Bachelor's degree must earn 45 renewal points.
All educators holding Apprentice, Apprentice Special Group or Out-of-State Teacher Licenses based on a Master's degree or higher who have not accrued three years of acceptable experience during the five-year validity period of the license (ex: 2004-2009) are required to earn 45 renewal points.
All educators holding Apprentice, Apprentice Special Group or Out-of-State Teacher Licenses based upon a Master's degree or higher, and have accrued three years of acceptable experience during the five-year validity period of the license (ex:2004-2009), no renewal points are required, only verification of that experience. If all of the experience has been accrued in Tennessee public schools this form is not needed. If the experience is in a Tennessee private school or out of state school you must submit verification of that experience on the form provided by clicking on the link to the experience verification form . For information on what constitutes acceptable experience for renewal in Tennessee click on the information link.

Renewal activities should focus on the goals of the educator that are consistent with those of the school, school system, state, district, or nation and when possible should be planned jointly with the person who conducts the local evaluation for the educator. Activities should focus on goals of the educator for strengthening content, pedagogical, or professional skills, and for remaining current on other educational issues.

Renewal points may be earned in a variety of ways. For example, an educator may choose to earn coursework, or participate in pre-approved professional development activities. Professional development activities can not be part of the state funded in-service days and can not be conducted during days and/or hours for which educators are already being paid by local school systems. (Exception: activities completed on personal/professional days may be usable by Tennessee public school educators)

The same activity conducted more than one time can be counted only one time for renewal purposes. (Activities that are not K-12 education related enhancing the ability of the educator may not be acceptable. For example: Coaching Clinics, Band Camp Director, Bus Driver Competitions, etc.) Click to download renewal guidelines and License Renewal Options Table.

ACCEPTABLE COURSE WORK FOR RENEWAL PURPOSES

Course work must be completed at a regionally accredited institution.

If an educator chooses to renew by taking coursework, academic credit at the undergraduate level must be earned in professional education (includes early childhood education, psychology, english as a second language and special education), current area of endorsement, computer science/computer technology, or foreign language. (Sign language is not considered a foreign language and can only be used if the educator is endorsed in any area of Special Education)

Graduate level coursework may be earned in any area which is clearly related to public education.

All coursework must be reflected on an official transcript from an accredited university and submitted to the Office of Teacher Licensing with the renewal application.

To obtain more information on acceptable course work click on the link renewal guidelines and License Renewal Options Table.

TENNESSEE PUBLIC SCHOOL EDUCATORS

If the educator is employed in a Tennessee public school system, all professional development activities being considered for renewal purposes must be approved in advance by the person responsible for conducting local evaluations. A renewal computation sheet must be completed by educators using professional development activities to renew their license. Each activity should be listed separately to include the name of the activity, the dates attended/presented, and the number of points accrued for a total of 45 renewal points. The focus/subject of each activity attended/presented should be listed. (Ex. If attending annual conferences do not list the name of the conference multiple times, list the focus of each workshop within the conference attended/presented.)

Part I of the computation sheet must be completed by both the educator and the person who is responsible for conducting your local evaluations. The statements in this section must be attested to by both the educator and the evaluator by initialing them on each line and signed by both. No attached lists will be accepted in lieu of listing activities on computation sheet. If multiple pages are needed, all pages must be completed and signed by both educator and evaluator.

Documentation indicating participation in the renewal activities must be retained at the local school system. This computation sheet needs to be submitted to the Office of Teacher Licensing with the renewal application. Click to download a renewal computation sheet .

NON-PUBLIC SCHOOL OR OUT OF STATE EDUCATORS

Educators that hold the Apprentice, Apprentice Special Group, Out-of State Teacher and are not employed in a Tennessee public school system must complete a computation sheet reflecting the professional development activities to be considered for the renewal of their license and attach supporting documentation.

Each activity should be listed separately to include the name (focus) of the activity, the date attended, and the number of points accrued for a total of 45 renewal points. The documentation must be authenticated by someone other than the educator and can be as simple as a certificate of attendance/participation. The documentation should include the name (focus) of the activity, the dates attended/presented, the number or hours in attendance/presentation, and contact information of the signee. The person verifying educator's attendance/presentation should be an authorized official of the school, the education agency responsible for the activity or college/university employed. (No more than 2 pages of documentation per activity should be submitted) No attached lists will be accepted in lieu of listing activities on the computation sheet. Signature is required in Part II of the computation sheet. If multiple pages are needed, all pages must be completed and signed by educator.

Click to download an Apprentice or Out-of-State Teacher License renewal application or call (615)532-4885 to request a renewal application be mailed to you.