Instructional Leadership Licenses

The University of Memphis assists in the licensing of school-based administrators in the State of Tennessee.  An applicant may apply for the Instructional Leadership License-Aspiring (ILL-a) and the Instructional Leadership License according to the following criteria. Please contact the College of Education's Department of Leadership for more information.

Please complete the Instructional Leadership License Application> in order to apply for either the ILL-A or ILL license.

Instructional Leadership License - Aspiring (ILL-A)

Instructional Leadership License-Aspiring (ILL-A) is an administrator license, valid for three years, that is issued to applications who hold a bachelor’s degree and are currently enrolled in an Instructional Leadership preparation program approved by the Tennessee State Board of Education.  The ILL-A License may not be renewed.  An ILL-Aspiring (ILL-A) license allows an educator to serve as an assistant principal while enrolled in an approved instructional Leader preparation program.

To be issued an ILL-A, the following requirements must be met:

• The applicant must be enrolled in the K-12 Leadership certificate program or Master of Science in Leadership and Policy program.
• Have at least 3 years of qualifying experience as an educator appearing on TN Compass. All candidates who HOLD an out-of-state Tennessee license must upload their experience on TN compass.
• All elementary, Special Education, ESL and Early Childhood candidates must upload their Reading 360 Literacy certificate.

Instructional Leadership License - Regular License

Instructional Leadership License-is an administrator license issued to applications who hold a teacher license, have completed an instructional leadership preparation program approved by the Tennessee Department of Education, and have submitted passing scores on the required content assessment.  The ILL may be renewed.

To be issued and Instructional Leadership License-the following requirements must be met. 

• The applicant must have completed an approved instructional leadership preparation program and be recommended for licensure by that provider.
• The applicant must meet all requirements regarding assessments and qualifying scores as specified by the Tennessee Department of Education.

All elementary, Special Education, ESL and Early Childhood candidates must upload their Reading 360 Literacy certificate