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TN HB1888

TN HB1888
AN ACT to amend Tennessee Code Annotated, Title 49, relative to educator licensure.


summary

Introduced
01/22/2026
In Committee
02/04/2026
Crossed Over
Passed
Dead

Introduced Session

Potential new amendment
114th General Assembly

Bill Summary

As introduced, allows the state board of education to waive the educator licensure requirement for an individual who does not hold a bachelor's degree from an accredited four-year institution, but who has at least five years of teaching experience at a church-related school or private school approved to operate in this state, if the individual meets certain requirements. - Amends TCA Title 49.

AI Summary

This bill allows the State Board of Education to grant a waiver for the educator licensure requirement for individuals who do not have a bachelor's degree from an accredited four-year institution but have at least five consecutive years of full-time teaching experience at an approved church-related or private school, provided they meet specific criteria, including verification of satisfactory performance, documentation of similar instructional duties to licensed public school teachers, completion of professional development, and successful completion of a criminal background check. This waiver permits employment as a teacher in a Local Education Agency (LEA) or public charter school for up to three years, with the possibility of renewal, but does not grant a practitioner teacher license, and requires annual performance evaluations by the employing school. The State Board of Education will establish the review process, criteria for evaluating applicants, requirements for potential educator preparation programs, and conditions for waiver renewal, revocation, or conversion to a practitioner license, while also clarifying that this waiver does not prevent individuals from pursuing other established licensure pathways.

Committee Categories

Education

Sponsors (1)

Last Action

Placed on s/c cal Education Administration Subcommittee for 3/3/2026 (on 02/25/2026)

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