Licensure and Professional Development Points (PDPs)
All licensure renewal and advancement transactions must occur through TNCompass at: https://tdoe.tncompass.org.
TDOE no longer accepts paper applications for renewals or advancements of Tennessee licenses.
Licensure Renewal and Advancement
With respect to practitioner licenses only, if your license expired on Aug. 31, 2020, a one-year extension was passed by an emergency rule from the State Board of Education. The deadline for renewing a teacher, occupational teacher, or school service personnel license will be enforced on August 31, 2021.
At the date of expiration, if an educator with a professional license does not have documentation of 60 professional development points, the license will become inactive.
In order to reactivate a license and endorsements held, the educator must submit proof of qualifying scores (not more than 5 years old) on all state-required content assessments (PRAXIS) for each endorsement an educator is seeking to reactivate. If the Tennessee Department of Education (TDOE) has valid assessments scores (not more than 5 years old), the educator does not need to resubmit those scores.
Professional Learning
Educators may earn 1 PDP for 1 hour of professional learning and growth session. Educators may earn 6 PDPs for approved micro-credentials. This option requires a verification form signed by the director of schools (or designee).
1-hour session = 1 PDP • 1 micro credential = 6 PDPs
Using Evaluation Scores for PDPs
An educator’s overall evaluation ratings shall automatically accrue as professional development points (PDPs). PDPs are required for advancement or renewal of an active teaching license. This option only applies to accruing PDPs based on approved evaluation models; all other PDP activities must have been completed prior to Sept. 1, 2020, for licenses that expire on Aug. 31, 2020.
o Overall Score of 5 = 20 PDPs
o Overall Score of 4 = 15 PDPs
o Overall Score of 3 = 10 PDPs
Clinical Mentors earning PDPs
Educators serving as a clinical mentor for candidates completing an educator preparation program (EPP) may earn 20 PDPs for advancement or renewal of an active teaching license. This option requires a clinical mentor verification form signed by the director of schools (or designee).
o 1 academic year = 20 PDPs
National Board Certification
Educators may earn 30 PDPs by earning National Board Certification. Educators may earn 15 PDPs when renewing their National Board Certification.
o Initial Certification = 30 PDPs
o Renewal = 15 PDPs
Professional License Facts
Advancement and renewal of license must take place during the final year of the validity period of the license. For example, if a license will expire on August 31, 2021, the educator may not apply for renewal until September 1, 2020. However, an educator who qualifies for advancement prior to the final year of the validity period of the license may advance as soon as criteria are met.
To renew the professional license, an educator must have documentation of 60 professional development points. At the date of expiration, if an educator does not have the required documentation, the license will become inactive.
SCENARIO
Teacher renewed license in 2016 and it expires in 2022. The teacher has between September 1, 2016, and August 31, 2022, to earn 60 PDPs.
Also remember that evaluation scores can be used for points. A five is worth 20 points, four is worth 15 points and a three is worth 10 points. In addition, National Board Certification (Initial and Renewal) can be used for PDPs with accompanying documentation from NBPTS.
Practitioner License Facts
Advancement and renewal of license must take place during the final year of the validity period of the license. For example, if a license will expire on August 31, 2021, the educator may not apply for renewal until September 1, 2020. However, an educator who qualifies for advancement prior to the final year of the validity period of the license may advance as soon as criteria are met.
Due to COVID-19, a one-year extension has been passed by an emergency rule from the State Board of Education.
Practitioner License (3-year validity period)
At the date of expiration of the Practitioner license, requirements for advancement to a Professional license will be applied. To advance from a Practitioner license to a Professional license, an educator must have either:
o Three years of experience and the recommendation of the Director of Schools
–OR–
o Three years of experience and documentation of 30 professional development points
Below are the four possible combinations and their associated licensure transition outcome:
A. If an educator has not accrued 30 PDPs or obtained approval from a Director of Schools and has not obtained three years of acceptable experience, the educator’s license will convert to Practitioner (second issuance).
B. If the educator has not accrued 30 PDPs or obtained approval from a Director of Schools and has obtained three years of acceptable experience, the educator’s license will convert to Practitioner (second issuance).
C. If the educator has accrued 30 PDPs or obtained approval from a Director of Schools and has not obtained three years of acceptable experience, the educator’s license will convert to Practitioner (second issuance).
D. If the educator has accrued 30 PDPs or obtained approval from a Director of Schools and has obtained three years of acceptable experience, the educator’s license will advance to a Professional license.
Professional Development
TEA members have access to a variety of avenues for professional development through TEA.
TEA has partnered with Renew A License through the Professional Learning Board to provide a 100% online professional development to meet Tennessee renewal requirements. Visit RenewaTeachingLicense.com, email service@renewateachinglicense.com or call 888.384.7057 for more information.
TEA also offers online professional development in partnership with Vanderbilt IRIS Center. The IRIS Center offers a wide variety of online resources and services to suit a diverse set of instructional needs and circumstances. To celebrate this new partnership, TEA members may participate in unlimited IRIS online professional development trainings at a discounted rate until July 31, 2016. Visit the IRIS Center website to view the available trainings to start earning your professional development hours online on your own time this summer. Enter coupon code TEAWelcome to receive 20% off all trainings.
Uploading PDPs in TNCompass
To learn how to upload professional development points in TN Compass or to check the status of your licensure renewal or advancement, please check out this PowerPoint from MNPS: Adding PDPs
State Licensure Requirements
To view the current State Board of Education requirements for licensure, renewal, etc. please visit: https://www.tn.gov/content/dam/tn/stateboardofeducation/documents/2020-sbe-meetings/november-6%2c-2020-sbe-meeting/11-6-20%20III%20H%20Educator%20Licensure%20Policy%205.502%20Clean.pdf