Tennessee Special Education Teacher Guide
Everything you need to know about becoming a special education teacher in Tennessee: licensing requirements, continuing education, salary data, and key resources. Whether you’re just starting out or renewing your license, this is your complete Tennessee guide.
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How to Become a Special Education Teacher in Tennessee
Special education certification in Tennessee is one of the most urgent credentials in the Volunteer State, where 31% of SPED teaching positions were reported vacant during the 2022-2023 school year, according to a state survey. Tennessee serves approximately 13% of students ages 3 to 21 under IDEA, and pursuing special education certification opens the door to one of the most in-demand roles in the state.
Licensure is managed through the Tennessee Department of Education (TDOE) Office of Educator Licensing (OEL). Here is what you need to earn your initial teaching license with a special education certification endorsement:
- A bachelor’s degree from an accredited college or university
- Completion of a state-approved Educator Preparation Program (EPP), including a student teaching placement
- Passage of the required Praxis subject area exams for your endorsement area
- Clearance of a criminal background check
- Application through the TDOE Educator Licensing portal
The Practitioner License is valid for three years; after meeting performance expectations you advance to the Professional License, valid for six years and renewable. Tennessee also offers a conversion pathway for educators holding the retired 460 endorsement code who wish to move to the Special Education Comprehensive (461) endorsement.
Become a NASET Member today to get instant access to almost 80 CTLE-eligible PD courses!
Continuing Education & License Renewal in Tennessee
Tennessee teachers renew their Professional License by earning 60 professional development points (PDPs) within the six-year validity period. PDPs can be earned through state-approved coursework, conferences, and graduate credit directly related to your special education certification.
Teachers should also note the Tennessee Literacy Success Act, which requires approved literacy training as part of renewal. Coursework completed for this requirement can count toward the 60 PDP total.
NASET has confirmed district-level acceptance in Tennessee. When submitting coursework for renewal credit, reference approval numbers AUN# 300003228 or CPE# 910014 and confirm eligibility with your district coordinator. NASET’s special education certification coursework is directly aligned with what Tennessee LEAs look for in PD submissions.
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Special Education Teacher Salary in Tennessee
Tennessee’s demand for qualified SPED educators continues to grow, with special education certification increasingly tied to stronger earning potential and career advancement across the state’s 147 school districts. Here is what the data shows.
Salary Overview:
- Average statewide SPED educator salary: $55,454 (ZipRecruiter, 2025)
- Median salary per Salary.com: $50,119
- Entry-level salary range: $42,915 to $48,000
- Mid-career salary (5 to 8 years): approximately $52,690 to $53,500
- Senior-level salary (8 or more years): approximately $65,000 to $80,833
- Nashville area average: $59,048 (Glassdoor, 2025)
Job Market:
- 31% of SPED positions were vacant in Tennessee during the 2022-2023 school year
- Approximately 13% of Tennessee students ages 3 to 21 receive services under IDEA
- Special education is a federally designated teacher shortage area in Tennessee, making special education certification one of the most valuable credentials in the state
- Job growth of 5% to 12% projected through 2030 for special education roles statewide
- Districts in Nashville, Memphis, and Knoxville offer competitive supplements on top of state base pay
Tennessee’s 31% vacancy rate makes board-certified SPED educators especially valuable statewide, and NASET certifications are a direct path to career advancement and stronger earning potential in districts across the state.
IEPs in Tennessee
Tennessee special education services are overseen by the TDOE Division of Special Populations, and IEPs are managed through the TN Pulse platform. Holding a valid special education certification is required to lead the IEP process in any Tennessee district. The process follows five key steps: written referral, full evaluation within 60 days of signed consent, eligibility determination, IEP development within 30 days of eligibility, and annual review with full re-evaluation every three years.
Tennessee also uses an RTI2 (Response to Intervention and Instruction) framework, which creates a structured pathway for identifying students who may need special education services.
NASET’s IEPs from Around the Country gives Tennessee educators real-world IEP examples across disability categories, and the NASET guide on Determining Measurable Annual Goals in an IEP is a practical reference aligned with Tennessee’s special education certification standards.
Become a NASET Member today and get instant access to IEP tools, publications, and professional resources for every stage of your special education career!
Key Resources for Tennessee Special Education Teachers
State Resources:
- TDOE Special Education Division for state policies, the Special Education Framework Manual, and TN Pulse access
- TDOE Office of Educator Licensing for managing your license and renewal submissions online
- TNSTEP (Support and Training for Exceptional Parents) is Tennessee’s federally designated Parent Training and Information Center
- Disability Rights Tennessee for legal advocacy and IEP support for families and educators
- NASET State Guide to compare Tennessee requirements with all 50 states
Advance Your Career With NASET
The National Association of Special Education Teachers is the leading professional organization for special education teachers in the United States, and Tennessee educators are among the most active in the NASET community.
The Membership gives you unlimited access to professional development resources, publications, job boards, and district-eligible courses, everything a Tennessee SPED educator needs in one place.
The Board Certified Special Educator (BCSE) certification demonstrates your expertise and commitment to the field, and counts toward your Tennessee district renewal credit when submitted with approval numbers AUN# 300003228 or CPE# 910014.
Whether you are renewing your license, deepening your special education certification knowledge, or building toward a new credential, we are your partner for every stage of your career in Tennessee.
👉 Become a NASET Member | 👉 Get BCSE Certified
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