Tennessee Senate bill in Session 114.
Status: in_committee. Latest action: March 11, 2026.
AN ACT to amend Tennessee Code Annotated, Title 49, Chapter 5, relative to educator licensure.
This bill authorizes the state board of education to issue an alternative instructional leader license to a candidate who meets the requirements of this bill for the person to serve as a principal, an assistant principal, or an instructional supervisor. A n alternative instructional leader license may be issued to a candidate who meets all of the following criteria: H olds a master's degree, a doctorate or other degree conferred by an eligible postsecondary institution upon completion of a unified program of study at the graduate level, from an institution of higher education in an education-related or human development-related field, including, but not limited to, higher education administration, school administration, educational leadership, curriculum and instruction, and teaching . H as, and can provide, documentation evidencing, at least three years of experience in a leadership position at a Category I, II, or III private school ; an LEA ; a public charter school ; or a postsecondary institution . E arns a qualifying score on an assessment, as defined and determined by the state board of education by rule . S ubmits documentation demonstrating the candidate's completion of the foundational literacy skills standards . D oes not currently hold an educator licensure. ALTERNATIVE INSTRUCTIONAL LEADER LICENSE This bill provides that an alternative instructional leader license issued pursuant to this bill is valid for four years and is not renewable. A person who holds an alternative instructional leader license for four years is automatically eligible to be issued an instructional leader license regardless of whether the person meets the requirements for an instructional leader license as established by rules promulgated by the state board. This bill does not p rohibit the state board from creating other pathways for a person to obtain an instructional leader license.
| Date | Event | Detail |
|---|---|---|
| 2025-02-05 | Introduced | Bill introduced |
| 2026-03-11 | Status | in_committee |
| 2026-03-11 | Latest Action | Assigned to General Subcommittee of Senate Education Committee |