The usual steps
- Create a TNCompass account and select the correct out-of-state transaction
- Arrange an official bachelor's-degree transcript from the institution
- Upload the active out-of-state license
- Submit educator-preparation verification when using the initial-level Practitioner route
- Complete Tennessee Literacy Success Act evidence when required for the requested endorsement
- Submit the transaction for Office of Educator Licensure and Preparation review
What can change your path
- • An expired out-of-state license cannot be used for the reciprocity transaction
- • The professional route requires a full, valid, continuously renewable license equivalent to Tennessee's Professional level
- • An initial-level license does not qualify if the educator preparation program has not been completed
- • Literacy training or assessment applies to specified elementary, early-childhood, special-education, ESL and reading-specialist endorsements
What the state says
These facts come from official sources. The state agency still makes the final licensing decision.
Source level controls
An equivalent active professional out-of-state license can support Tennessee's six-year Professional license; an active initial-level credential with completed preparation can support a three-year Practitioner license.
Assessment treatment
The current FAQ states that professional out-of-state license holders do not submit assessments for the Tennessee Professional license, though specified endorsements can still require Tennessee literacy evidence.
Core evidence
TNCompass requires the official bachelor's-degree transcript, active out-of-state license and any required literacy evidence; the Practitioner branch also uses out-of-state educator-preparation verification.
Why your details matter
State websites describe the possible routes. The right one for you can depend on your license, preparation, experience, subjects, grades, tests, National Board status and compact eligibility. TeachPassport uses those details to build your checklist and keeps checking the state’s rules.
One thing to know: The source credential's level is decisive: an equivalent active professional license can support the Professional route without new licensure assessments, while an initial-level license requires completed preparation, provider verification and the Practitioner pathway.