1. (1) Limited Academic License

   1. (a) The Department shall grant a Limited Academic License to a teacher to continue teaching the course or subject area taught pursuant to the teacher’s most recently issued permit if the applicant:

      1. 1. Was issued a valid third temporary teaching permit pursuant to T.C.A. § 49-5-106 and State Board Permits Rule 0520-02-03-.12 in the 2021-2022 school year or thereafter;
      2. 2. Earned a level of overall effectiveness score of “above expectations” or “significantly above expectations” on the teacher’s most recent evaluation pursuant to T.C.A. § 49-1-302;
      3. 3. Provides a recommendation from the director of schools or from the director of the public charter school, at which the teacher taught on a permit, recommending that the teacher receive a Limited Academic License with the endorsement(s) issued pursuant to the most recently issued permit; and
      4. 4. Agrees, in writing, to begin a pathway approved by the State Board for transitioning from a Limited Academic License to a practitioner teacher license.
   2. (b) The Limited Academic License is valid for two (2) school years and is not renewable.
   3. (c) A Limited Academic License shall not be issued to an individual to teach a special education course.

   4. (d) To advance from the Limited Academic License to a practitioner teacher license, educators shall:

      1. 1. Submit a recommendation from a State Board-approved educator preparation program certifying that the educator has completed coursework focused on foundational pedagogical skills and foundational literacy skills in accordance with the Tennessee Literacy Success Act. A State Board-approved educator preparation provider shall not require an educator to complete more than six (6) credit hours to meet this requirement;
      2. 2. Receive support from a highly effective clinical mentor in accordance with the requirements for clinical mentors set forth in State Board Clinical Experiences Rule 0520-02-04-.10; and
      3. 3. Submit qualifying scores on all required content assessments as defined in the State Board Professional Assessments for Tennessee Educators Policy 5.105.
   5. (e) Once an educator is issued a practitioner teacher license, the educator shall meet requirements for renewal and/or advancement of the license as set forth in Rule 0520- 02-03-.03 of this Chapter.

2. (2) Limited Occupational Teaching License

   1. (a) The Department shall grant a Limited Occupational Teaching License to an applicant who meets the following requirements:

      1. 1. Receives a conditional offer of employment from the director of schools or director of the public charter school, as applicable;
      2. 2. Has a minimum of five (5) years of relevant work experience, completed within the last ten (10) years, or a minimum of three (3) years of relevant work experience, completed within the last five (5) years, in the area of endorsement or equivalent educational attainment; or holds an active industry license or credential, including one issued by another state, for the area of endorsement, if an industry license or credential is available;
      3. 3. Agrees, in writing, to complete training conducted by the LEA or public charter school, during the validity period for which the initial limited occupational teaching license is issued, in the subjects of classroom management, serving students with disabilities and English learners, and the teacher code of ethics; and
      4. 4. Receives support from a highly effective clinical mentor in accordance with the requirements for clinical mentors set forth in the State Board Clinical Experiences Rule 0520-02-04-.10.
   2. (b) The Limited Occupational Teaching License is valid for three (3) school years.

   3. (c) In order to renew the Limited Occupational Teaching License, the individual shall meet the following requirements:

      1. 1. Completes LEA or public charter school training in the subjects of classroom management, serving students with disabilities and English learners, and the teacher code of ethics prior to the end of the validity period of the first (1st) issuance of the Limited Occupational Teaching License; and
      2. 2. Earns a level of overall effectiveness score of “above expectations” or “significantly above expectations” on the teacher’s most recent evaluation pursuant to T.C.A. § 49-1-302 for each of the first two (2) school years immediately following issuance of the individual’s license.
   4. (d) To advance from the Limited Occupational Teaching License to the practitioner occupational license, an educator shall receive a recommendation from a State Board- approved educator preparation program or a provider showing enrollment in, or completion of, a State Board-approved educator preparation program.
   5. (e) Once an educator is issued a practitioner occupational teacher license, the educator shall meet requirements for renewal or advancement of the license as set forth in Rule 0520-02-03-.04 of this Chapter.

Authority: T.C.A. §§ 49-1-302, 49-5-106, and 49-5-108. Administrative History: Repeal and new rules filed December 18, 2014; effective March 18, 2015. A stay of the rules was filed January 28, 2015; new effective date June 1, 2015. Emergency rules filed August 27, 2015; effective through February 23, 2016. Repeal filed October 27, 2015; effective January 25, 2016. New rules filed August 16, 2019; effective November 14, 2019. Amendments filed March 16, 2023; effective June 14, 2023. Amendments filed March 25, 2024; effective June 23, 2024. Amendments filed March 5, 2025; effective June 3, 2025. Emergency rules filed September 16, 2025; effective through March 15, 2026. Amendments filed December 11, 2025; effective March 11, 2026.