TN HB1323

LEAs and public charter schools may request emergency teaching credentials from the commissioner when unable to fill vacancies, including temporary academic permits (requiring bachelor's degree), temporary clinical permits (for educator preparation program enrollees), and license endorsement exemptions for already-licensed educators

Emergency credentials expire June 30 following issuance; teachers on their third temporary academic permit who score "above expectations" or higher on evaluations may apply for a 2-year limited license with a pathway to practitioner licensure

Limited occupational teaching licenses require either 5 years of relevant work experience within 10 years, 3 years within 5 years, or an active industry credential, plus LEA-provided training in classroom management, serving students with disabilities/English learners, and teacher ethics

Emergency teaching credentials cannot be granted for special education courses, and teachers without proper subject endorsements cannot teach end-of-course examination courses unless they pass a content knowledge test or have an endorsement exemption

Department of Education must report to legislative education committees by July 1, 2027 on emergency credentials requested and granted for end-of-course examination courses during school years 2024-2027; effective July 1, 2025