SB2109

AN ACT to amend Tennessee Code Annotated, Title 49, relative to educator licensure.

Introduced·1/22/26
Draft Text

Allows Tennessee to waive educator licensure for certain individuals without a bachelor's degree.

This bill amends Tennessee's educator licensure requirements, allowing the state board of education to waive the need for a license for individuals without a bachelor's degree. The waiver applies if the applicant has five years of full-time teaching experience at a church-related or private school, provides satisfactory performance verification, and completes professional development training. The waiver allows employment for up to three years and requires annual performance evaluations.

Included in complete analysis

  • Overview
  • Core Provisions
  • Implementation
  • Impact
  • Legal Framework
  • Critical Issues

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Where it stands

Current
Finance, Ways and Means Committee
Next
Committee decision

Sponsors

0
1
R
Democratic CaucusRepublican Caucus

Roll Call Votes

SENATE EDUCATION COMMITTEE: Recommended for passage with amendment/s, refer to Senate Finance, Ways, and Means Committee Ayes 9, Nays 0 PNV 0

9 Yea

RRRRRRRDR

0 Nay

Calendar

Apr 20

1:00 PM

Senate Finance, Ways And Means Hearing

Feb 18

3:00 PM

Senate Education Hearing

History

Apr 20

Senate

Placed on Senate Finance, Ways, and Means Committee calendar for 4/21/2026

Apr 14

Senate

Placed on Senate Finance, Ways, and Means Committee calendar for 4/20/2026

Apr 14

Senate

Placed on Senate Finance, Ways, and Means Committee calendar for 4/21/2026