Published January 7, 2026
Renewing a Tennessee educator license requires earning a specified number of Professional Development Points (PDPs) during the license’s validity period and submitting them through the state licensure system. While some professional learning may be available through your school or district, Tennessee educators may need additional PD to meet renewal requirements.
Whether you’re actively teaching or maintaining your license while not in the classroom, understanding Tennessee’s requirements ensures you complete the necessary PD and renew your license on time.
Renewal Requirements
In Tennessee, the amount of professional development required depends on the type of license you hold:
- Practitioner License (non-first issuance) requires 30 Professional Development Points (PDPs) earned within the validity period are required for renewal.
- Professional License requires 60 Professional Development Points (PDPs) earned within the validity period OR two years of qualifying educator experience during that same period.
All PDPs must be earned during the license’s current validity period to count for renewal.
You can find specific information on the Tennessee Department of Education website here: https://www.tn.gov/education/educators/licensing/educator-licensure/licensed-educators.html
What is a PDP?
PDPs are awarded as units where:
- 1 clock hour of PD typically equals 1 PDP
- 1 semester credit = 10 PDPs
- 1 CEU (Continuing Education Unit) = 5 PDPs
- Micro-credentials may be awarded PDPs depending on state approval and documentation.
What Type of Training Can You Take?
Professional Development Points (PDPs) are earned through a wide range of instructionally relevant professional learning experiences that improve educator effectiveness. The Tennessee Department of Education states that PDP activities should include content covering:
- developing content knowledge, pedagogical knowledge, or pedagogical content knowledge;
- enhancing educator effectiveness (e.g., world language courses for those working with students for whom English is a second language, or coursework that supports understanding and use of data); or
- developing competency in student social and emotional health and well-being.
Certificates earned should also show the activity, date of completion, and number of hours awarded.
You can find more information about PDPs here: https://www.tn.gov/education/educators/licensing/licensing-faq/pdp-faq-for-educators.html
How Do You Renew?
Once you have earned the required PDPs (30 or 60, depending on your license):
- Document your PDP activities by collecting your certificates.
- Submit your PDPs and supporting documentation through TNCompass before your license expires.
- Follow the TNCompass renewal prompts to complete the renewal application.
- Pay any applicable renewal fees.
All renewal transactions for your licensure will be completed electronically through TNCompass (paper applications are no longer accepted). TNCompass Licensure Portal (to renew and upload PDPs): https://tdoe.tncompass.org/public
How Model Teaching Can Help
Model Teaching offers professional development and accredited coursework that Tennessee educators can use to earn Professional Development Points (PDPs) and fulfill state renewal requirements.
Accredited Coursework
Model Teaching partners with accredited institutions to provide semester-credit courses that may be used to earn PDPs (e.g., 1 semester credit = 10 PDPs). These courses are relevant to teaching practice, instruction, and professional growth.
Flexible Online Learning
Courses are available online and self-paced, making it easy to fit PD into your schedule without sacrificing classroom time.
Documentation for Renewal
Upon completion of qualifying PD or coursework, you receive official documentation such as transcripts or certificates that you can submit in TNCompass as evidence of earned PDPs.
Instructionally Meaningful
Rather than “seat time,” Model Teaching courses focus on instructional strategies and classroom impact, which helps when documenting PDPs for renewal and for your own professional use.
Tennessee PD details through Model Teaching:
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