Department of Education
Dr. Tim Webb, Commissioner
Renew Administrator License (PAL)
- Professional Administrator
- Professional Teacher, Professional School Service Personnel
The Professional Teacher & Professional School Service Personnel License must be renewed every ten years.
- All educators that were issued a Professional License prior to July 1, 1984, and the license has not been renewed and did not teach in either a Tennessee public school or appropriately accredited private school prior to that date, their license will either be converted to an Apprentice or Out of State teacher license. (The Out of State license will be issued upon evidence of acceptable out of state teaching experience.)
- All educators holding a Professional License based on a Bachelor's degree must earn 90 renewal points.
- All educators holding a Professional License based on a Master's degree or higher who have not accrued five years of acceptable experience during the ten-year validity period of the license (ex: 1999-2009) are required to earn 90 renewal points.
- All educators holding a Professional License based on a Master's degree or higher, and has accrued five years of acceptable experience during the ten-year validity period of the license (ex: 1999-2009), no renewal points are required, only verification of that experience. If all experience has been in Tennessee public school systems no verification by the applicant is required. Click to download an experience verification form. Click to obtain information on what constitutes acceptable experience for renewal in Tennessee.
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 part of the educator's professional growth plan. The activities used for renewal purposes 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. If employed in a TN public school system, the activities can not be attended during school hours. (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. Example: mentoring, working with student teachers, SACS committees, school improvement activities, CPR certification. Activities that are not K-12 education related enhancing the ability of the educator may not be acceptable. (For example: Athletics, Coaching/Clinics, Band Camp/Director, Bus Driver Competitions, Choral Presentations, Clubs, 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.
Click to download 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 (focus) of the activity, the dates attended/presented, and the number of points accrued for a total of 90 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. All of 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 Professional License or Professional School Service Personnel License 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 90 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 a Professional License renewal application or call (615)532-4885 to request a form be mailed to you.
