Apprentice Special Group License/Professional School Service Personnel License

Certain endorsement areas for educators in Tennessee are issued on a separate license called an Apprentice Special Group License. These areas are:

• School Guidance Counselor (Grades Pre-K-12)
• School Psychologist (Grades PreK-12)
• Speech Language Pathologist (Grades PreK-12)
• School Social Worker (Grades PreK-12)

An individual who qualifies for initial licensure with one of these endorsement areas is issued an Apprentice Special Group License which is valid for five years.

After completing a minimum of three years of experience on the Apprentice Special Group license in that endorsement area (with at least the last year completed in a an approved Tennessee public or non-public school that has adopted the state evaluation model), the individual is eligible to advance to the Professional School Service Personnel License. The Professional School Service Personnel License is issued for a ten year period and may be renewed by meeting the same requirements as the Professional License (Teacher) renewal.

If the Apprentice Special Group License is not used in an approved Tennessee public or non-public school, it remains valid for the duration of the five-year validity period and may be renewed by meeting the same renewal requirements as the Apprentice Teacher License renewal.