# Tennessee Is Phasing Out edTPA (July 2026): What Replaces It

[Teaching standards](/teaching-standards/)

Tennessee teacher candidates will no longer take edTPA starting July 1, 2026. Four formal classroom observations take its place.

  **Check your state.** Teaching standards and education policies change often and vary by state and district. Always confirm dates, requirements, and details with your state department of education or district office. This site is for general information, not professional or legal advice.

## What is changing

The State Board of Education amended its professional assessments policy to phase out edTPA beginning **July 1, 2026**. The board said the change avoids removing a rigorous assessment without putting something in its place.

## What replaces it

- **Four formal observations** during clinical practice.

- Observations must use a tool approved under the state's educator evaluation policy or reviewed and approved by the Tennessee Department of Education.

- **Training requirements** for the clinical supervisors doing the observing.

- District evaluations during job-embedded practice can count, with a data-sharing agreement or candidate consent, shared at the indicator level.

## Timeline

- Programs submit observation models starting **July 1**; state review runs through **September 1**, with notification within about 60 days.

- Candidates completing programs after the phaseout follow the observation route, not edTPA.

## Sources

- Tennessee State Board of Education, professional assessments policy amendments

- Tennessee Public Chapter 328 (2025), educator licensure rule revisions

See also our [multi-state licensure changes guide](/teaching-standards/teacher-licensure-changes/).