Tennessee Teaching License – Testing
In order to apply for a Tennessee teaching license, you have to take and pass two Praxis tests.
To receive an initial Tennessee teaching license, you have to take and pass the Praxis exam for the subject area or areas in which you are seeking endorsement.
You are also required to submit passing scores for the Principles of Learning and Teaching (PLT) Praxis exam.
If you are looking to become licensed in any of the following areas, you need to take the Praxis subject area exam only. You are not required to take the Praxis PLT exam:
- School Counselor PreK–12
- School Psychologist PreK–12
- School Social Worker PreK–12
- Speech/Language Pathology PreK–12
Remember that you may be required to take the Praxis Core in reading, writing, and math before you begin your bachelor’s degree program.
Tennessee Teaching License – Other Information
If you want to add a new endorsement area to your Tennessee teaching license, you will have to take the Praxis subject area exam for the additional endorsement.
Praxis Teacher Certification Test – Tennessee
Tennessee Teaching License – Alternative Routes
If you want to apply under one of the alternate routes, you have to meet the same testing requirements as candidates in traditional programs.
Exemptions from Testing
If you hold a current license from a state recognized through the Tennessee Interstate Educator Certification and License Agreement, you may be exempt from Praxis testing.
If you are an out-of-state applicant and you have completed your college degree in education for your endorsement area, you may be able to get an exemption from testing.
Teachers who have taught for at least three out of the last seven years may be exempt from testing.
You may also be exempt from testing it you have held a full educator license in any other state and have not been employed as a teacher in Tennessee.
For further information about exemptions from testing, contact the Office of Teacher Licensing.
Tennessee Department of Education – Teacher Licensing Division
NOTE: This webpage is not endorsed by ETS, the trademark owners of the Praxis Exams, or by the Tennessee State Department of Education.