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SB 2109

Teachers, Principals and School Personnel - 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.

114th Regular Session (2025-2026)

Tennessee allows state board to waive bachelor's degree requirements for educators with five years of private/church school teaching experience, creating alternative certification pathway.

Placed on Senate Finance, Ways, and Means Committee calendar for 4/21/2026
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Bill Summary · SB 2109

Legislative bill overview

SB 2109 allows Tennessee's state board of education to waive the bachelor's degree requirement for educators who lack a four-year accredited degree but have at least five years of teaching experience at church-related or approved private schools. The bill modifies the state's licensure standards under Tennessee Code Annotated Title 49, creating an alternative pathway to educator certification based on demonstrated experience rather than formal credentials.

Why is this important

This bill directly affects teacher supply and labor flexibility in Tennessee schools by potentially opening classroom doors to experienced private and religious school educators who never completed traditional university programs. It addresses workforce gaps while raising questions about educational quality standards and credential consistency across the state's public and private school systems.

Potential points of contention

  • Educational quality standards: Waiving degree requirements may compromise hiring consistency and the baseline knowledge expected of all public school educators, potentially creating two-tier credentialing systems
  • Private school credit transfer: The bill grants special consideration to private/religious school experience while potentially disadvantaging educators with other types of real-world experience or non-traditional backgrounds
  • Implementation ambiguity: The phrase "certain requirements" is vague and grants significant discretion to the state board, leaving unclear what additional qualifications applicants must meet beyond five years of experience

Compiled from official sources — confirm details with the bill’s official record.

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