What happens when your Tennessee teacher license lapses and how to get it back
A lapsed Tennessee teacher license means your certificate expired and you are no longer legally authorized to teach in Tennessee public schools. The Tennessee Department of Education and Workforce (TDEW) does not automatically renew licenses — you must take action before the expiration date or go through a reinstatement process afterward.
Reinstatement is possible, but the path depends on how long your license has been expired and what type of license you held. If your license expired within the last five years, you can typically reinstate it by paying a fee and meeting any continuing education requirements that came due while it was lapsed. If it has been expired longer than five years, you may need to retake parts of the original certification process.
The reinstatement process is handled directly by TDEW's Office of Educator Licensure, not through a school district or third party. You will need to contact them to find out which specific requirements explore to your situation.
Key Takeaways
- Contact the Tennessee Department of Education and Workforce Office of Educator Licensure to start the reinstatement process — they will tell you exactly what you need based on how long your license has been expired.
- If your license expired within five years, you typically pay a reinstatement fee and complete any overdue continuing education hours.
- If your license has been expired for more than five years, you may need to retake the content exam or other portions of the original certification process.
- You cannot legally teach in Tennessee public schools while your license is lapsed, even if reinstatement is in progress.
Reinstatement within five years of expiration
If your license expired fewer than five years ago, reinstatement is usually the most straightforward path. TDEW allows you to restore your certificate by submitting a reinstatement request, paying the required fee, and completing any continuing education hours you missed during the lapsed period.
The fee amount varies depending on your license type and the number of years it has been expired. You will need to contact TDEW directly to learn the exact fee for your situation. Some teachers also discover they owe continuing education hours — Tennessee requires teachers to complete a set number of professional development hours during each renewal cycle, and those requirements do not pause when a license lapses.
The reinstatement request itself is submitted to TDEW's Office of Educator Licensure. They will review your record, confirm you have no disqualifying issues, and process the reinstatement once fees and education requirements are met. This typically takes two to four weeks from the date TDEW receives a complete request.
Reinstatement after five or more years of expiration
If your license has been expired for five years or longer, TDEW treats reinstatement differently. You will likely need to retake the content exam for your subject area and may need to complete additional coursework or professional development to bring your knowledge current.
The exact requirements depend on whether Tennessee has changed its certification standards for your license type since it expired. TDEW will review your original certification record and tell you which exams or coursework are required. In some cases, you may also need to submit fingerprints for a background check renewal, even if you had one when you originally certified.
This path takes longer than a straightforward reinstatement — typically two to four months from start to finish, depending on how quickly you can schedule and pass required exams. You should contact TDEW early to understand the full list of requirements before you begin.
How to contact TDEW and start the process
The Tennessee Department of Education and Workforce Office of Educator Licensure handles all reinstatement requests. You can reach them by phone at 615-532-4885 or through their website at tn.gov/education. When you contact them, have your teacher license number ready if you have it, along with your name and date of birth.
Tell them your license has lapsed and ask what reinstatement requirements explore to you specifically. They will tell you whether you fall into the five-year category or the longer-lapsed category, what fees you owe, what continuing education or exams are required, and how to submit your request. Some of this information may also be available through their online portal, but a phone call is usually faster if you need to know your status right away.
TDEW can also tell you whether there are any holds on your record — for example, unpaid student loan debt or a disciplinary issue — that would prevent reinstatement. It is better to learn this before you pay fees or complete coursework.
Continuing education and professional development requirements
Tennessee teachers must complete continuing education hours during each renewal cycle. The number of hours required varies by license type, but most teachers need between 6 and 12 hours per year. If your license has been lapsed for multiple years, you will owe hours for each year it was expired.
These hours can be completed through workshops, online courses, university classes, or other approved professional development. TDEW maintains a list of approved providers on their website. You do not have to complete all the hours before you submit your reinstatement request, but you will need to show a plan for completing them and may need to provide proof once they are done.
Some teachers find it faster to complete the hours after reinstatement is approved, since you can then teach while finishing the requirement. Ask TDEW whether this is an option for your situation.
Background check and fingerprinting
If your license has been expired for a long time, TDEW may require a new background check and fingerprinting before reinstatement. This is separate from the content exam or continuing education — it is a criminal history check to may support you remain may be able to access to work with students.
You will be told during your initial contact with TDEW whether this is required. If it is, they will direct you to the vendor who handles fingerprinting in Tennessee. The process usually takes one to two weeks, and you will need to go in person to have your fingerprints taken.
Timeline and what to expect
A reinstatement within five years typically takes two to four weeks from the date TDEW receives your complete request. A reinstatement after five or more years of expiration can take two to four months, depending on exam scheduling and whether you need to complete coursework.
During this time, your license remains lapsed. You cannot legally teach in a Tennessee public school classroom, even if your reinstatement is pending. Some districts allow teachers to work in non-teaching roles while waiting for reinstatement, but this varies by district and position. If you are currently employed or seeking employment, tell your principal or human resources contact that your reinstatement is in progress so they understand your status.
Once TDEW approves your reinstatement, they will issue a new license certificate. You should receive this by mail within one to two weeks of approval. Your license will then be active and valid for the standard renewal period — usually five years for most Tennessee teacher licenses.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I teach while my reinstatement is being processed?
No. Your license must be active and valid to teach in a Tennessee public school. You cannot teach legally while it is lapsed, even if reinstatement is pending. Some districts may allow you to work in non-teaching roles during this time, but you should confirm with your employer first.
What if I do not remember my license number or expiration date?
TDEW can look up your record using your name and date of birth. Call the Office of Educator Licensure at 615-532-4885 and they will find your information and tell you the status of your license.
Do I have to retake all my original certification exams if my license expired long ago?
Not necessarily. If your license has been expired for more than five years, you will likely need to retake the content exam for your subject area, but TDEW will tell you the exact requirements based on your license type and any changes to certification standards since it expired.
What if I have a disciplinary issue or unpaid student loan debt on my record?
These can prevent reinstatement. TDEW will tell you during your initial contact whether any holds exist on your record. If there is a disciplinary issue, you may need to resolve it with TDEW before reinstatement is possible. Student loan debt may require a payment plan or resolution with the loan servicer.
Can I reinstate my license if I moved out of Tennessee?
Yes. You do not need to live in Tennessee to reinstate your license. You can submit your request and complete requirements remotely. However, if fingerprinting is required, you will need to have it done in person at an approved location.