TennesseeSB 1311114th General Assembly (2025-2026)SenateWALLET

AN ACT to amend Tennessee Code Annotated, Title 49, Chapter 5 and Title 49, Chapter 6, relative to teacher licensure.

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Bill Overview

Analyzed Economic Effects

9 provisions identified: 3 benefits, 2 costs, 4 mixed.

Clinical permit time counts toward licensure

Beginning July 1, 2025, time teaching under a temporary clinical permit can count as your clinical experience. It counts if you are supervised for the same time as EPP candidates, are evaluated as meeting the same standards, and teach for at least the same duration required of EPP candidates.

Limited license path for permit teachers

Starting July 1, 2025, after your third temporary academic permit, you may apply for a limited license if you have a recent rating of “above expectations” or “significantly above expectations,” a director’s recommendation, and you agree in writing to start the state‑approved path to a practitioner license. The limited license lasts two school years and is not renewable. It cannot be used to teach special education. The state board sets coursework, mentor support, knowledge benchmarks, and assessments for moving from a limited license to a practitioner license.

New occupational teacher licenses

Beginning July 1, 2025, you can earn a limited occupational teaching license with a conditional job offer and either 5 years of recent relevant work (in the last 10), 3 years (in the last 5), or an active industry license. You must complete LEA training and work with a mentor. It lasts three years and can be renewed only after high ratings in the first two years and completing training under board rules. A practitioner occupational license requires you to enroll in or complete an approved educator preparation program. The state board will add detailed rules.

New rules for emergency teacher permits

Beginning July 1, 2025, the state can issue three emergency credentials: a temporary academic permit (bachelor’s required), a temporary clinical permit (EPP coursework done except clinical plus recommendation and a conditional job offer), and an endorsement exemption for already-licensed teachers. All emergency credentials end on the next June 30, and clinical permits cannot be renewed. No emergency credential can be used to teach special education. If a permit covers a class with a state end‑of‑course test, the commissioner checks staffing efforts first and the school must assign a mentor. Schools may sign one‑year contracts with temporary academic permit teachers, and renew only if no licensed teacher is available. Directors must report certain convictions and serious misconduct by permit holders to the state board on the board’s timeline.

Who can teach end-of-course classes

Starting July 1, 2025, you cannot teach a class with a state end‑of‑course test unless you hold the subject endorsement. You may instead pass the content test at your own expense or have a license endorsement exemption. This applies to courses tied to state graduation requirements.

Initial licenses limited to taught subject

Beginning July 1, 2025, an initial license based on college teaching carries only the subject you taught. You may add more endorsements later under state board rules.

P.E. classes require credentialed teachers

Beginning July 1, 2025, physical education classes must be taught by educators who hold credentials under Chapter 5 and state board rules. This tightens staffing to credentialed P.E. teachers.

Old licensure sections repealed

Beginning July 1, 2025, the law repeals three code sections tied to older licensure and course rules (§§ 49‑5‑114, 49‑5‑115, and 49‑6‑6006). The effect depends on what those sections said, which are now replaced by the new licensure framework.

When the new rules take effect

Rulemaking under this act takes effect when the act becomes law. All other changes start July 1, 2025. This lets the state board write detailed rules before the new permits and licenses begin.

Sponsors & Cosponsors

Sponsor

Jack Johnson
Republican • Senate

Cosponsors

Becky Duncan Massey
Republican • Senate
Dawn White
Republican • Senate

Roll Call Votes

All Roll Calls

Yes: 155 • No: 14

Senate vote • 4/16/2025

FLOOR VOTE: Motion to Concur House Amendment # 1 4/16/2025

Yes: 32 • No: 0

House vote • 4/14/2025

FLOOR VOTE: REGULAR CALENDAR AS AMENDED PASSAGE ON THIRD CONSIDERATION 4/14/2025

Yes: 82 • No: 14

Senate vote • 3/24/2025

FLOOR VOTE: Motion to Adopt 3/24/2025