Alternative License Type A

The Alternative License Type A is issued to an individual who holds a Bachelor's degree from a regionally accredited institution of higher education with an academic major in the endorsement area sought. A superintendent/director of schools in Tennessee must sign a statement of intent to employ the applicant and must provide a mentor for the applicant during the first two years of teaching.

(For a complete listing of approved institutions and the programs offered at each institution click the link "Approved TN Institutions").

If the applicant's transcripts do not reflect an academic major in the area of endorsement sought, he/she must be admitted to an approved teacher preparation program and obtain a written statement signed by the Certification Officer at the college/university verifying that the applicant has satisfied all coursework in the subject area component of the approved program.

Then Alternative License Type A is available in all initial licensure endorsement areas. All persons seeking an Alternative License Type A in the areas of early childhood education, elementary education, and middle grades education must be admitted to an approved teacher preparation program and must have made adequate academic progress as prescribed by the college/university prior to the issuance of the Alternative License Type A. An individual may not be issued an Alternative License Type A more than three times. This includes initial issuance plus a limit of two renewals.

To renew this license, one must be officially admitted to an approved teacher preparation program. His/her areas of deficiency must be identified on a program of studies signed by the Certification Officer at the college/university, and the applicant must earn six semester/nine quarter hours of credit in these areas of deficiency each year for renewal. Once an applicant has met all the deficiencies as outlined by the college/university, that institution can recommend the individual for a full Tennessee teacher license.

Download Application for Alternate License Type A or call (615) 532-4885 to request an application be mailed to you. The application form also includes a list of regulations and guidelines regarding issuance of the license.

To apply for initial issuance of an Alternative License Type A, the following paperwork must be submitted to the Office of Teacher Licensing:

1. Application for an Alternative License Type A signed by a Tennessee superintendent/director of schools stating intent to employ the applicant.
2. Official transcripts from all colleges/universities attended (photocopies and grade reports are not acceptable.) Transcripts must reflect an academic major in the specific endorsement area requested. OR
3. A letter from the Certification Officer at the college/university will be required (if transcripts do not reflect an academic major in the specific endorsement area requested), stating that the applicant is admitted to a teacher preparation program and has satisfied all coursework in the content area of that subject.

All persons requesting endorsements in early childhood education, elementary education, or middle grades education must provide a letter from the Certification Officer at the college/university verifying that the applicant is admitted to a teacher preparation program for the endorsement area sought and has made adequate academic progress as prescribed by the college/university.

A application packet that is missing any one of these items will be returned to the applicant with instructions as to which items are missing. This will delay the application process.