Transferring your teaching license from Tennessee to Mississippi
✓ Streamlined — Mississippi offers full reciprocity to licensed teachers
Mississippi offers full reciprocity: a fully-licensed Tennessee teacher is generally eligible for a standard Mississippi license with few or no added requirements.
See 529 open teaching jobs in Mississippi →License transfer finder
Your current credential (Tennessee)
- Issuing authority
- Tennessee Department of Education
- License type
- Apprentice License (3 years)
- Reciprocity policy
- Tennessee participates in the NASDTEC compact. Out-of-state educators with valid certificates may receive a Tennessee license; content exams may be required.
Mississippi certification
- Issuing authority
- Mississippi Department of Education
- License you'll earn
- Novice Educator License (3 years)
- Typical timeline
- 12–18 months traditional; MAPT allows classroom entry immediately with completion over 3 years
- Mississippi reciprocity policy
- Mississippi participates in the NASDTEC compact. Out-of-state educators with valid certificates may receive a Mississippi license; content exams may be required.
Exams typically required in Mississippi
Out-of-state applicants are usually asked to demonstrate content-area knowledge on Mississippi's preferred exams, even when basic-skills testing is waived through reciprocity. Plan for one or more of the following:
- Praxis Core Academic Skills (or qualifying ACT/SAT/GRE scores)Basic reading, writing, and mathematics
- Praxis Subject AssessmentsContent knowledge for your certification area
Pass the Praxis exam
Mometrix study guide & practice tests for the Praxis — prep with confidence.
Steps to transfer your license
- Verify your Tennessee credential is current. Mississippi will request a verification of your active Apprentice License from Tennessee Department of Education.
- Apply through Mississippi Department of Education. The application packet typically includes official transcripts, prior teaching service verification, and a fingerprint-based background check.
- Sit for any Mississippi-specific exams. Most states honor out-of-state content-area exams when scores meet their cutoff, but Mississippi may require an additional jurisprudence or state-specific assessment.
- Apply to Mississippi districts that match your endorsement. We're currently tracking 529 active openings — browse Mississippi teaching jobs to start identifying districts.
Common questions
Can I teach in Mississippi with a Tennessee teaching license?
Mississippi offers full reciprocity: a fully-licensed Tennessee teacher is generally eligible for a standard Mississippi license with few or no added requirements.
What exams are required to teach in Mississippi?
Mississippi typically requires the Praxis Core Academic Skills exam(s) for your subject area.
How long does transferring a teaching license to Mississippi take?
Typically 12–18 months traditional; MAPT allows classroom entry immediately with completion over 3 years.
Who issues teaching licenses in Mississippi?
Teaching licenses in Mississippi are issued by Mississippi Department of Education.