Tennessee Senate Bill SB2407

Tennessee 2025-2026 Regular Session

• Introduced: 2/2/26
• Engrossed: 3/5/26
• Enrolled: 4/29/26
• Passed: 5/22/26
• Chaptered: 5/27/26

Caption

AN ACT to amend Tennessee Code Annotated, Title 49, Chapter 5, relative to teaching credentials.

Summary

SB2407 amends Tennessee’s teacher credentialing laws to make it easier for certain educator preparation program (EPP) candidates to qualify for a temporary clinical permit. Under current law, a candidate generally must have completed all EPP coursework except clinical practice; this bill clarifies that the requirement is met whether the candidate has already started clinical practice or has not yet begun it when the permit is issued. The bill also adds a rule for satisfying the clinical practice requirement by combining time completed before the permit is issued with time taught under the temporary clinical permit, so long as the total equals the clinical practice time required by the candidate’s EPP. In practical terms, the bill affects teacher candidates, educator preparation programs, school districts, and the State Board of Education by expanding flexibility in how clinical practice can be completed while teaching under a temporary clinical permit. It amends Tennessee Code Annotated Title 49, Chapter 5, specifically provisions governing teaching credentials and temporary clinical permits, and takes effect immediately upon becoming law. The overall sentiment around the bill appears strongly supportive and noncontroversial. It passed the Senate Education Committee unanimously and then cleared both chambers on large bipartisan votes, including 30-0 on the Senate floor and 88-0 in the House. The voting history suggests broad agreement that the measure is a practical adjustment to teacher licensure rules rather than a major policy dispute. There is little evidence of substantive opposition in the available record. Any potential point of contention would likely center on whether allowing candidates to teach under a temporary permit before fully completing clinical practice could affect preparation standards or classroom readiness, but no such objections appear in the committee or floor votes provided. The bill instead seems aimed at easing staffing and licensure bottlenecks while preserving the overall clinical practice requirement.

Impact

The bill amends Tennessee Code Annotated § 49-5-106 to broaden eligibility and clarify completion of clinical practice for temporary clinical permits used by teacher candidates. It changes how educator preparation program coursework and clinical practice are counted, allowing time completed before issuance of the permit plus time taught under the permit to satisfy the required clinical practice total. This directly affects teacher licensure administration, educator preparation programs, and school systems that employ permit holders.

Sentiment

The bill was received positively and passed with unanimous or near-unanimous support at each recorded stage. The Senate Education Committee recommended passage 9-0, the Senate floor passed it 30-0, and the House passed it 88-0. The voting record indicates broad bipartisan support and little to no visible controversy.

Contention

No major contention is reflected in the available transcripts or votes. The only plausible policy concern is whether the bill could lower or alter preparation expectations by allowing candidates to begin teaching before completing clinical practice, but the record does not show organized opposition. Support appears to have centered on flexibility for teacher candidates and addressing practical licensure needs.