Tennessee Administration/Principal Certification
Tennessee’s Instructional Leader License has three tiers: ILL-Aspiring, ILL, and the advanced ILL-Professional. Candidates need an advanced degree from a state-approved leadership preparation program, three years of qualifying teaching experience, and a passing score on the Praxis School Leaders Licensure Assessment (SLLA). Applications are submitted through TNCompass, the state’s online licensure system.
Sponsored School(s)
Tennessee school leaders hold an Instructional Leader License (ILL), not a teaching license, once they move from the classroom into a principal, assistant principal, or instructional supervisor role. The state issues that license in three stages, and each stage carries its own experience and assessment requirements. Here’s what a Tennessee educator needs at each step, from the first Aspiring-level license through the advanced Professional tier.
Use the links below to jump to license levels, education and exam requirements, application steps, and renewal information for Tennessee’s administrator license.
- Tennessee’s instructional leader license levels
- Education and experience requirements
- Required exam for Tennessee school leaders
- How to apply for an instructional leader license
- Criminal history background check
- Renewal and continuing education requirements
- Alternative pathway through a principal apprenticeship
Tennessee’s Instructional Leader License Levels
The Tennessee Department of Education issues the Instructional Leader License in three stages instead of the two-tier system this page previously described. Each tier reflects a different point in an educator’s path from classroom teacher to school administrator.
| License Level | Typical Requirements | Validity |
|---|---|---|
| ILL-Aspiring (ILL-A) | Bachelor’s degree, enrolled in a Tennessee State Board of Education-approved instructional leader preparation program | 3 years, non-renewable |
| Instructional Leader License (ILL) | Advanced degree from an approved program, at least 3 years of qualifying educator experience, passing SLLA score | 3 years, renewable |
| ILL-Professional (ILL-P) | Active ILL plus additional qualifying experience and completion of an approved advancement pathway | Renewable |
Requirements for each tier can shift based on a candidate’s specific pathway, so check current guidance on TNCompass before applying.
Education and Experience Requirements
To move beyond the Aspiring tier, a candidate generally needs an advanced degree from a Tennessee State Board of Education-approved instructional leader preparation program in school administration and supervision or educational leadership. Programs typically combine graduate coursework with a supervised internship in school administration.
Candidates also need a valid Tennessee educator license and at least three years of qualifying education experience before they can be issued the full ILL.
Required Exam for Tennessee School Leaders
For the standard Tennessee ILL pathway, applicants are generally required to earn a passing score on the Praxis School Leaders Licensure Assessment (SLLA), test code 6990, subject to current Tennessee licensure rules and any approved alternative pathways. The SLLA replaces what earlier guidance on this page called “Praxis II,” a naming convention ETS no longer uses. Ask ETS to send your SLLA scores directly to the Tennessee Department of Education when you register for the test.
How to Apply for an Instructional Leader License
For candidates completing a Tennessee-approved preparation program, applications are typically submitted through TNCompass by the educator preparation provider. Once submitted, you’ll get an email prompting you to complete a personal affirmation statement in TNCompass. The Department won’t process the application until that statement is complete.
Documentation typically requested as part of the process includes:
- An institutional recommendation from the dean of education and certification at your preparation program
- SLLA scores sent directly from ETS to the Department
- Official transcripts showing your advanced degree and completion of the leadership preparation program
Because application fees, mailing addresses, and processing details change from year to year, confirm current figures directly through TNCompass or the Tennessee Department of Education’s Instructional Leaders licensing page rather than relying on a fixed number here. For program options, contact colleges and universities in Tennessee offering approved instructional leadership programs.
Criminal History Background Check
Most Tennessee school employers complete the required criminal history background check during the hiring process. Appointments for fingerprinting go through IdentoGO, which sends results to the Tennessee Bureau of Investigation. You’re typically responsible for the associated fees, and the check can take up to four weeks to clear.
Renewal and Continuing Education Requirements
The ILL is renewable every three years. Renewal for educators in a Tennessee Academy for School Leaders (TASL)-mandated position depends on completing required TASL credit hours during each renewal cycle. Educators outside a TASL-mandated role who need to renew typically complete Department-approved training instead, such as the state’s required literacy trainings. Confirm your specific renewal path with your district or through TNCompass, since requirements can vary by position.
Alternative Pathway Through a Principal Apprenticeship
Some Tennessee educator preparation providers now offer a Principal Registered Apprenticeship Model (PRAP), a federally-approved apprenticeship pathway that pairs coursework with a mentored, on-the-job apprenticeship rather than a standalone graduate program. Districts nominate candidates for these apprenticeships, which still lead to the same ILL license outcome. Availability depends on the preparation provider, so ask a Tennessee educational leadership program directly whether it offers an apprenticeship option.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the Instructional Leader License in Tennessee?
It’s the credential the Tennessee Department of Education issues to educators serving as principals, assistant principals, or instructional supervisors. It’s issued in three tiers, ILL-Aspiring, ILL, and ILL-Professional, each with its own experience and assessment requirements.
Do I need a master’s degree to become a principal in Tennessee?
You need an advanced degree from a Tennessee State Board of Education-approved instructional leader preparation program to reach the full ILL. Most approved Tennessee instructional leader preparation programs culminate in a master’s or education specialist degree, though some providers now offer an apprenticeship-based alternative that leads to the same license.
What exam do I need to pass to become a school administrator in Tennessee?
For the standard ILL pathway, applicants are generally required to earn a passing score on the Praxis School Leaders Licensure Assessment (SLLA), test code 6990, subject to current Tennessee licensure rules and any approved alternative pathways. ETS sends scores directly to the Tennessee Department of Education when you register.
How do I renew my Instructional Leader License?
The ILL renews every three years. Renewal for TASL-mandated positions depends on completing required TASL credit hours, while other educators typically complete Department-approved training instead. Check your specific renewal requirements through TNCompass.
Can I become a Tennessee principal without a traditional graduate program?
Some preparation providers offer a Principal Registered Apprenticeship Model that combines coursework with a mentored apprenticeship instead of a standalone degree program. Ask a Tennessee educational leadership program whether it participates in this pathway.
- Three license tiers, not two — Tennessee now issues ILL-Aspiring, ILL, and ILL-Professional, replacing the older two-tier ILL-B/ILL-P structure.
- The exam is the Praxis SLLA — test code 6990, not “Praxis II,” which is outdated ETS branding.
- Three years of experience is the baseline — candidates need at least three years of qualifying education experience along with an advanced degree from an approved program.
- Renewal depends on your role — TASL-mandated positions renew through TASL credit hours. Others typically complete Department-approved training instead.
- An apprenticeship pathway now exists — some providers offer a Principal Registered Apprenticeship Model as an alternative to a standalone graduate degree.
Find accredited educational leadership and administrator preparation programs in Tennessee, including options that lead to your Instructional Leader License.
