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Tennessee2026Enacted

HB0545

Tennessee AI Training for Middle and High School Teachers

Last scannedAug 22, 2026, 4:14 AM

In one sentence

This law requires Tennessee teachers in grades 6 through 12 to complete at least one free online course about using artificial intelligence in the classroom by August 1, 2028, or within two years of getting their license.

What it does

  • Requires the Department of Education to create at least one professional development course on using AI in classrooms that uses asynchronous instruction.
  • Mandates that the course be available for free and allow teachers to earn professional development points.
  • Sets a deadline for teachers to complete the training by August 1, 2028, or within two years of getting their license, whichever is later.
  • Requires local school districts and charter schools to approve credit for teachers who finish the AI course.

Who it affects

  • Teachers in grades 6 through 12 in Tennessee public schools
  • The Tennessee Department of Education
  • Local education agencies (LEAs) and public charter schools

Limits and unknowns

  • The law requires course content be created by an entity with experience in computer science or another STEM field but does not list specific topics.
  • While the bill takes effect upon becoming a law, no specific calendar start date for enforcement actions is provided beyond the completion deadline.

Plain language

Terms to know

Artificial Intelligence (AI)
Technology used in the classroom that is covered by this training course.
Asynchronous instruction
Learning materials provided through a course format where participants do not need to be online at the same time as an instructor.
Professional development points
Credits earned by educators for completing training courses, which are approved pursuant to state board of education policies.

Official record

Sources

Validated
Official bill pageIntroduced textCurrent bill textStored full record

Official summary

ON APRIL 6, 2026, THE SENATE ADOPTED AMENDMENT #1 AND PASSED SENATE BILL 677, AS AMENDED. AMENDMENT #1 c hanges the date by which teachers in grades 6-12 must complete at least one professional development course on the use of artificial intelligence in the classroom from the later of August 1, 2027 , or within two years of becoming licensed as a teacher in Tennessee to the later of August 1, 2028 , or within two years of becoming licensed as a teacher in Tennessee.

Official activity

Bill history

  1. Comp. became Pub. Ch. 1056
  2. Effective date(s) 05/22/2026
  3. Pub. Ch. 1056
  4. Signed by Governor.
  5. Transmitted to Governor for action.
  6. Signed by H. Speaker
  7. Signed by Senate Speaker
  8. Enrolled and ready for signatures
  9. Sponsor(s) Added.
  10. Comp. SB subst.
  11. Passed H., Ayes 88, Nays 0, PNV 0
  12. Am. withdrawn. (Amendment 1 - HA1067)
  13. Subst. for comp. HB.
  14. H. Placed on Regular Calendar for 4/16/2026
  15. Placed on cal. Calendar & Rules Committee for 4/14/2026
  16. Rcvd. from S., held on H. desk.
  17. Rec. for pass. if am., ref. to Calendar & Rules Committee
  18. Engrossed; ready for transmission to House
  19. Sponsor(s) Added.
  20. Passed Senate as amended, Ayes 32, Nays 0

Changes

Amendments

2 stored

HA1067

This amendment changes the effective date for a new rule about artificial intelligence from August 1, 2027, to one year later on August 1, 2028.

SA0837

This amendment changes the start date for a new rule about artificial intelligence from August 1, 2027, to one year later on August 1, 2028.