Tennessee State Personnel Standards
Audiologist
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| Discipline | Audiologist | |
|---|---|---|
| License/Certificate | Licensed Audiologist | |
| State Department | Department of Health, Board of Communication Disorders and Sciences | |
| State Department Hyperlink | https://www.tn.gov/health/health-program-areas/health-professional-boards/cds-board.html | |
| Type of License/Certificate | Licensure/Certificate | |
| Age Range | Birth - Death | |
| Degree Level Requirement | Doctorate | |
| Licensure Require Specific Field or Clinical Work? | A minimum of 375 clock hours of supervised clinical experience (practicum) with individuals having a variety of disorders of communications, as required by ASHA. | |
| Licensure Dependent on an Exam? | PRAXIS Audiology (5343); Qualifying score: 162 | |
| Additional requirements specific for schools? | School audiologists shall hold a school services personnel license with the audiologist endorsement | |
Deaf and Hard of Hearing Specialist
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| Discipline | Deaf and Hard of Hearing Specialist | |
|---|---|---|
| License/Certificate | Special Education Hearing PreK-12 Endorsement | |
| State Department | Department of Education | |
| State Department Hyperlink | https://www.tn.gov/education/educators/licensing.html | |
| Type of License/Certificate | Licensure/Certificate | |
| Age Range | PreK - 12th grade | |
| Degree Level Requirement | Bachelor's | |
| Licensure Require Specific Field or Clinical Work? | Institutions of higher education provide candidates with a well-integrated field-based component involving students at a variety of age levels who have a variety of learning abilities, including students with multiple disabilities. To the extent possible, candidates have experience in consultant, itinerant, resource, and self-contained settings. Field experiences provide opportunities for participation in programs using a variety of communication modes. Institutions provide practicum experiences prior to the student teaching or full-year internship experience. The field experiences include opportunities for the candidates to collaborate with other educational professionals. | |
| Licensure Dependent on an Exam? | Special Education: Core Knowledge and Applications (5354); Qualifying score: 151 and Special Education: Education of Deaf and Hard of Hearing Students (5272); Qualifying score: 160 and Teaching Reading: Elementary (5205); Qualifying score: 159 | |
Early Childhood Educator
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| Discipline | Early Childhood Educator | |
|---|---|---|
| License/Certificate | Apprentice Teacher License with Endorsement in Early Childhood Education PreK-3 | |
| State Department | Department of Education | |
| State Department Hyperlink | https://www.tn.gov/education/educators/licensing.html | |
| Type of License/Certificate | Licensure/Certificate | |
| Age Range | 3 yrs - 3rd grade | |
| Degree Level Requirement | Bachelor's | |
| Licensure Required Specific Field or Clinical Work | Each candidate shall complete field experiences and at least one (1) clinical practice in order to successfully complete an educator preparation program. | |
| Licensure Dependent on an Exam? | PRAXIS Education of Young Children (5024); Qualifying score: 160 and Early Childhood Education (5025); Qualifying score: 156 and Teaching Reading: Elementary (5205); Qualifying score: 159 | |
| Alternative Route Provisional or temporary | Teach for Tennessee Program: There are two paths to achieving your Tennessee teaching license through the Teach Tennessee program. a. Governor's Fellows: A Bachelor's degree with a minimum GPA of 3.0 and five years of work experience directly related to the subject to be taught. Applicants must be highly qualified by having 24 semester hours of college credit in the subject they wish to teach or a passing score on the Praxis II content knowledge exam. b. Commissioner's Fellows: A Bachelor's degree with a minimum GPA of 3.0. Applicants must be highly qualified by having 24 semester hours of college credit in the subject they wish to teach or a passing score on the Praxis II content knowledge exam. | |
Early Childhood Special Educator
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| Discipline | Early Childhood Special Educator | |
|---|---|---|
| License/Certificate | Early Childhood Education/Special Education (Dual Endorsement) | |
| State Department | Department of Education | |
| State Department Hyperlink | https://www.tn.gov/education/educators/licensing.html | |
| Type of License/Certificate | Licensure/Certificate | |
| Age Range | 3 yrs - 3rd grade | |
| Degree Level Requirement | Bachelor's | |
| Licensure Required Specific Field or Clinical Work |
Each candidate shall complete field experiences and at least one (1) clinical practice in order to successfully complete an educator preparation program.
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| Licensure Dependent on an Exam | PRAXIS Education of Young Children (5024); Qualifying score: 160 and Early Childhood Education (5025); Qualifying score: 156 and Special Education: Early Childhood/Early Intervention (5692); Qualifying score: 159 | |
| Additional requirements specific to Part C? | Special Instruction is included on a list of services provided in early intervention: entry-level requirements are based on the highest requirements in the State applicable to the profession or discipline in which a person is providing early intervention services and established suitable qualifications for personnel providing early intervention services pursuant to IDEA Part C to eligible children and their families who are served by State, local, or private agencies. | |
| Additional requirements specific for schools? | Initial teaching license plus endorsement needed to work in schools. Early Childhood Education PreK-3 Endorsement can be added to a current, valid TN teaching license through College/University Recommendation for Endorsement: Applicants seeking additional endorsement(s) through approved college/university programs must also pass all applicable portions of the Praxis Series Exams developed and administered by Educational Testing Service. Upon completion of all additional endorsement program requirements, the Dean of Education and Certification Officer of the college/university shall send a recommendation to the Tennessee Office of Teacher Licensing for issuance of the additional endorsement(s). Required Tests: Praxis I® Pre-Professional Skills Tests, and Praxis II Early Childhood Education PreK-3. | |
| Alternative Route Provisional or temporary | 1. Teacher candidates not previously licensed to teach, but who have completed an early childhood education or child development Bachelor's or master's level program, can be recommended for initial licensure; they must meet the standards for early development and learning PreK-K and must have completed a student teaching/extended field experience semester or full-year internship involving (1) infant/toddler or pre-kindergarten, and (2) kindergarten placements. 2. Teacher candidates not previously licensed to teach, but who have completed an early childhood education or child development Bachelor's or master's level program, can begin teaching under an alternative license. They must be supervised by teacher mentors or other professionals who are qualified and experienced in their fields. 3. Tennessee offers an alternative pathway to teacher certification through its Transitional License. To qualify, you must have a bachelor's degree with a major in your endorsement area, 24 semester hours in the teaching content area, or a passing score on the required Praxis II content exam for the endorsement area. The transitional license allows you to teach for up to three years, giving you enough time to complete additional requirements for a full license. 4. Teach Tennessee is another alternative licensure program. There are two paths to achieving your Tennessee teaching license through the Teach Tennessee program. a. Governor's Fellows: Requires a Bachelor's degree with a minimum GPA of 3.0 and five years of work experience directly related to the subject you wish to teach. You must also be considered highly qualified, which means having 24 semester hours of college credit in the subject you wish to teach or having a passing score on the Praxis II content knowledge exam. b. Commissioner's Fellows: Requires a Bachelor's degree with a minimum GPA of 3.0. You must also be highly qualified by having 24 semester hours of college credit in the subject you wish to teach, or a passing score on the Praxis II content knowledge exam. 5. In addition to these two alternative teacher certifications, Teach for America offers two programs in Tennessee: Teach for America Nashville and Teach for America Memphis. The programs offer assistance to qualified professionals with a bachelor's degree who wish to transition to a new career as a teacher. The program allows participants to teach under a transitional license while they go through an education and training program to qualify for a full teaching license. 6. Another alternative pathway to becoming a teacher is the Tennessee Troops to Teachers program, which assists eligible military personnel to transition to a new career as public school teachers in "high-need" Tennessee schools. | |
Family Therapist
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| Discipline | Family Therapist | |
|---|---|---|
| License/Certificate | Licensed Marital and Family Therapist | |
| State Department | Department of Health | |
| State Department Hyperlink | https://www.tn.gov/health/health-program-areas/health-professional-boards/pcmft-board.html | |
| Type of License/Certificate | Licensure/Certificate | |
| Age Range | Birth - Death | |
| Degree Level Requirement | Master's | |
| Licensure Specific Curriculum/Coursework | The degree may be acceptable in a related subject field, so long as the degree contains the following coursework (all courses must be at least one semester in length): (i) Human Development and Personality - 3 courses (ii) Marriage and Family Studies - 3 courses (iii) Marriage and Family Therapy - 3 courses (iv) Research - 1 course (v) Professional Ethics - 1 course (vi) Assessment and diagnosis of cognitive, affective and behavioral problems and dysfunctions in the DSM IV T.R.(or its successor) nomenclature - 1 course (vii) Supervised practicum/internship of no less than three hundred (300) hours which includes experience in the assessment, diagnosis, and treatment of cognitive, affective and behavioral problems or dysfunctions in the DSM IV T.R. (or its successor) nomenclature. | |
| Licensure Require Specific Field or Clinical Work? | Supervised practicum/internship of no less than three hundred (300) hours which includes experience in the assessment, diagnosis, and treatment of cognitive, affective and behavioral problems or dysfunctions in the DSM IV T.R. (or its successor) nomenclature. | |
| Licensure Dependent on an Exam? | The exam required for licensure is The Marital and Family Therapy Examination (MFT). The exam is administered by The Association of Marital and Family Therapy Regulatory Boards (AMFTRB). | |
Nurse
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| Discipline | Nurse | |
|---|---|---|
| License/Certificate | Registered Nurse (RN) | |
| State Department | Department of Health | |
| State Department Hyperlink | https://www.tn.gov/health/health-program-areas/health-professional-boards/nursing-board.html | |
| Type of License/Certificate | Licensure/Certificate | |
| Age Range | Birth - Death | |
| Degree Level Requirement | Completion of a course of study in an approved school of nursing | |
| Licensure Specific Curriculum/Coursework |
a) Biological and physical sciences with content from the fields of anatomy, physiology, chemistry, microbiology, and physics, taught as separate courses or integrated intomore general courses in the science curriculum; the focus of instruction being on the understanding and application of scientific principles necessary for effective nursing care. (b) Behavioral sciences, with content from the fields such as psychology, sociology, and
anthropology. (c) Nursing, with content from the major areas: foundations of nursing practice, care of adults and children, maternity nursing, care of the mentally as well as the physically ill, including consideration of particular age groups, promotion and maintenance of health, and prevention and detection of illness, and restoration of health, with clinical laboratory experiences planned as an integral part of the curriculum. This area of content, developed as separate courses or integrated into the more general nursing curriculum, should provide opportunities for the student to study the historical development of nursing, and the ethical and legal responsibilities, as well as professional responsibilities, of the nurse.(d) Studies in other areas of learning provided by the individual schools should allow for further development of the student as an individual and as a citizen.
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| Licensure Dependent on an Exam? | The applicant is required to pass a written or computerized adaptive testing examination determined by the board of nurse registration and nursing education (NCLEX). | |
Occupational Therapist
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| Discipline | Occupational Therapist | |
|---|---|---|
| License/Certificate | Licensed Occupational Therapist | |
| State Department | Department of Health | |
| State Department Hyperlink | https://www.tn.gov/health/health-program-areas/health-professional-boards/ot-board.html | |
| Type of License/Certificate | Licensure/Certificate | |
| Age Range | Birth - Death | |
| Degree Level Requirement |
Have successfully completed the academic requirements of an educational program for occupational therapists accredited by the Accreditation Council for Occupational Therapy Education (ACOTE) or its predecessor organization.
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| Licensure Require Specific Field or Clinical Work | Have successfully completed the supervised fieldwork experience required by ACOTE. | |
| Licensure Dependent on an Exam? | Pass the National Board for Certification in Occupational Therapy Examination administered by the National Board for Certification in Occupational Therapy. | |
Physical Therapist
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| Discipline | Physical Therapist | |
|---|---|---|
| License/Certificate | Licensed Physical Therapist | |
| State Department | Department of Health | |
| State Department Hyperlink | https://www.tn.gov/health/health-program-areas/health-professional-boards/pt-board.html | |
| Type of License/Certificate | Licensure/Certificate | |
| Age Range | Birth - Death | |
| Degree Level Requirement | Doctoral | |
| Licensure Dependent on an Exam? | The National Physical Therapy Examinations endorsed by the Federation of State Boards of Physical Therapy or successor examinations, passing score = 600 | |
Psychologist
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| Discipline | Psychologist | |
|---|---|---|
| License/Certificate | Licensed Clinical/Counseling Psychologist | |
| State Department | Department of Health | |
| State Department Hyperlink | https://www.tn.gov/health/health-program-areas/health-professional-boards/psychology-board/psych-board/about.html | |
| Type of License/Certificate | Licensure/Certificate | |
| Age Range | Birth - Death | |
| Degree Level Requirement | Doctorate | |
| Licensure Require Specific Field or Clinical Work? | A qualifying internship must be at least one (1) calendar year in duration and consist of no less than nineteen hundred (1900) hours in psychology at a site where health services are normally provided and which is part of an organized, integrated training program. | |
| Licensure Dependent on an Exam? | Examination for Professional Practice in Psychology (EPPP); Oral interview and question and answer by board. Ethical and professional issues as they relate to the clinical practice of psychology, may also evaluate an applicant's knowledge base for the clinical practice of psychology. | |
School Psychologist
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| Discipline | School Psychologist | |
|---|---|---|
| License/Certificate | School Psychologist | |
| State Department | Department of Education | |
| State Department Hyperlink | https://www.tn.gov/education/educators/licensing.html | |
| Type of License/Certificate | Licensure/Certificate | |
| Age Range | PreK - 12th grade | |
| Degree Level Requirement | Master's | |
| Licensure Specific Curriculum/Coursework | 1. Understanding of the knowledge base specific to school psychology: (a) history and foundations of school psychology, (b) legal and ethical issues, (c) professional issues and standards, (d) alternative models for the delivery of school psychological services, (e) emerging technologies, and (f) roles and functions of the school psychologist. 2. Understanding of the psychological foundations of behavior based on knowledge of (a) biological bases for behavior, (b) human learning, (c) social and cultural bases for behavior, (d) child and adolescent development, and (e) individual differences. 3. Understanding of the instructional design and organization of schools, community-based resources, and alternative service delivery systems as they apply to all students including the special needs learner. 4. Ability to provide school psychological services within a model which links assessment to intervention services delivered to individuals and groups. 5. Ability to provide individual assessments of ability, achievement, classroom behavior, and personal and social characteristics of individuals. 6. Ability to provide direct and indirect assessments and interventions for the delivery of comprehensive school psychological services. 7. Ability to develop and implement individual and group interventions for the educational and mental health needs of children and youth. 8. Ability to develop and implement consultation services to individuals and groups, especially parents and teachers. 9. Ability to use measurement, statistics, research, and program evaluation methodologies in the delivery of comprehensive school psychological services. 10. Ability to develop, implement and evaluate training programs for parents and educators. 11. Ability to provide services that are consistent with provider standards and legal and ethical guidelines of the field of school psychology. 12. Ability to conduct the day-to-day delivery of school psychological services through effective oral and written communication, time management, record keeping, and public and professional relations. | |
| Licensure Require Specific Field or Clinical Work? | 1. Programs will provide supervised field experiences in which candidates are evaluated regarding their mastery of skills required by the licensure standards (see curriculum/coursework). 2. An internship will provide the student with a broad range of school psychological experiences including the opportunity to work with diverse client populations, a range of teaching and learning styles, different types of service delivery programs, and varied assessment and intervention methodologies. | |
| Licensure Dependent on an Exam? | PRAXIS School Psychologist (5403); Qualifying score: 155 | |
Social Worker
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| Discipline | Social Worker | |
|---|---|---|
| License/Certificate | Licensed Clinical Social Worker | |
| State Department | Department of Health | |
| State Department Hyperlink | https://www.tn.gov/health/health-program-areas/health-professional-boards/sw-board.html | |
| Type of License/Certificate | Licensure/Certificate | |
| Age Range | Birth - Death | |
| Degree Level Requirement | Master's | |
| Licensure Require Specific Field or Clinical Work? | At least three thousand (3000) hours of clinical experience; and at least one hundred (100) hours of supervision in addition to the three thousand (3000) hours of experience. These hours must be spread throughout the three thousand (3000) clinical experience contact hours at a ratio of approximately one (1) hour of supervision to every thirty (30) clinical experience contact hours. | |
| Licensure Dependent on an Exam? | National clinical examination by the Association of Social Work Boards (ASWB). | |
| Additional requirements specific for schools? |
School social workers shall hold a school services personnel license with the school social worker endorsement.
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Speech Language Pathologist
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| Discipline | Speech Language Pathologist | |
|---|---|---|
| License/Certificate | Licensed Speech Language Pathologist | |
| State Department | Department of Health | |
| State Department Hyperlink | https://www.tn.gov/health/health-program-areas/health-professional-boards/cds-board.html | |
| Type of License/Certificate | Licensure/Certificate | |
| Age Range | Birth - Death | |
| Degree Level Requirement | Master's | |
| Licensure Require Specific Field or Clinical Work? | A minimum of four hundred (400) clock hours of supervised clinical experience (practicum) with individuals having a variety of communications disorders is required IF the applicant does not possess a current Certificate of Clinical Competence (CCC) in the area of speech-language pathology issued through the American Speech-Language and Hearing Association (ASHA). | |
| Licensure Dependent on an Exam? | PRAXIS Speech-Language Pathology (5331); Qualifying score: 162 | |
| Additional requirements specific for schools? |
School speech-language pathology assistants shall hold a school services personnel license with the school speech-language pathology assistant endorsement.
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Vision Specialist
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| Discipline | Vision Specialist | |
|---|---|---|
| License/Certificate | Special Education Vision PreK-12 Endorsement | |
| State Department | Department of Education | |
| State Department Hyperlink | https://www.tn.gov/education/educators/licensing.html | |
| Type of License/Certificate | Licensure/Certificate | |
| Age Range | Birth - 12th grade | |
| Degree Level Requirement | Bachelor's | |
| Licensure Require Specific Field or Clinical Work? | Institutions of higher education provide candidates with a well-integrated field-based component involving students at a variety of age levels who have a variety of learning abilities, including students with multiple disabilities. To the extent possible, candidates have experience in consultant, itinerant, resource, and self-contained settings. Field experiences provide opportunities for participation in programs using a variety of communication modes. Institutions provide practicum experiences prior to the student teaching or full-year internship experience. The field experiences include opportunities for the candidates to collaborate with other educational professionals. | |
| Licensure Dependent on an Exam? | Special Education: Core Knowledge and Applications (5354); Qualifying score: 151 and Special Education: Teaching Students with Visual Impairments (5282); Qualifying score: 163 and Teaching Reading: Elementary (5205); Qualifying score: 159 | |
| Alternative Route Provisional or temporary | Alternative Route: 1. Teacher candidates not previously licensed to teach, but who have completed an early childhood education or child development Bachelor's or master's level program, can be recommended for initial licensure; they must meet the standards for early development and learning PreK-K and must have completed a student teaching/extended field experience semester or full-year internship involving (1) infant/toddler or pre-kindergarten, and (2) kindergarten placements. 2. Teacher candidates not previously licensed to teach, but who have completed an early childhood education or child development Bachelor's or Master's level program, can begin teaching under an alternative license. They must be supervised by teacher mentors or other professionals who are qualified and experienced in their fields. 3. Tennessee offers an alternative pathway to teacher certification through their Transitional License. To qualify, you must have a bachelor's degree with a major in your endorsement area, or 24 semester hours in the teaching content area, or a passing score on the required Praxis II content exam for the endorsement area. The transitional license allows you to teach for up to three years, giving you enough time to complete additional requirements for a full license. 4. Teach Tennessee is another alternative licensure program. There are two paths to achieving your Tennessee teaching license through the Teach Tennessee program. a. Governor's Fellows: Requires a Bachelor's degree with a minimum GPA of 3.0 and five years of work experience directly related to the subject you wish to teach. You must also be considered highly qualified, which means having 24 semester hours of college credit in the subject you wish to teach or have a passing score on the Praxis II content knowledge exam. b. Commissioner's Fellows: Requires a Bachelor's degree with a minimum GPA of 3.0. You must also be highly qualified by having 24 semester hours of college credit in the subject you wish to teach, or a passing score on the Praxis II content knowledge exam. 5. In addition to these two alternative teacher certifications, Teach for America offers two programs in Tennessee: Teach for America Nashville and Teach for America Memphis. The programs offer assistance to qualified professionals with a bachelor's degree who wish to transition to a new career as a teacher. The program allows participants to teach under a transitional license while they go through an education and training program to qualify for a full teaching license. 6. Another alternative pathway to becoming a teacher is the Tennessee Troops to Teachers program, which assists eligible military personnel to transition to a new career as public school teachers in "high-need" Tennessee schools. | |