Required for Tennessee divorces with children

Tennessee Parenting Class for Divorce

For married or unmarried parents · Online 4-hour Parent Educational Seminar · T.C.A. § 36-6-408 · Includes the required ACEs video · English & Español

Why start with your county? In some parts of Tennessee, you must take the course through a local college or university, because it may be the only approved course for your area. Some counties require prior approval because the judge decides. Your county page shows which course to take and has the sign-up link.

Court acceptance guaranteed or your money back · Since 1990

Tennessee Parenting Class by County

Select your county on the map to open its class page.

The Tennessee parenting class online, explained

When parents with minor children file for divorce in Tennessee, state law (T.C.A. § 36-6-408) requires both parents to complete a 4-hour parent education seminar that meets the requirements set forth in the law. Certevia’s Parenting and Divorce online class meets those statute requirements, including the required video on Adverse Childhood Experiences (ACEs).

Certevia’s parenting and divorce curriculum is used by colleges and universities in their own classes, and our online course is backed by a published, peer-reviewed study in the Journal of Divorce & Remarriage (Yamaguchi & Randel, 2021, DOI 10.1080/10502556.2021.1921442). It is accepted by courts in many Tennessee judicial districts; some counties require prior approval first, because the judge decides, so check your county page before you enroll.

Meets T.C.A. § 36-6-408, including the required ACEs video. Most Tennessee counties accept the online course; some require prior approval from the court first, because the judge decides. Check your county page before you enroll. Court acceptance guaranteed or your money back.

How the Tennessee divorce parenting class works

The whole TN parenting class is online and self-paced. There is no classroom, no Zoom session and no test.

Find your county. Use the search above or the county list. Your county page confirms what your court expects and has the sign-up link for that county.
Take the 4-hour course. Work on a phone, tablet or computer. Stop and come back anytime; your progress is saved.
Get your certificate. When you finish, download and print your certificate of completion. It is included with the course.

The seminar covers how divorce affects parents and children, children’s needs at different ages, signs of stress, managing conflict, co-parenting and the parenting plan, financial responsibilities, family violence, abuse and neglect, and community resources. It also includes the ACEs video that Tennessee law requires.

Find your county

Who must take a parenting class for divorce in Tennessee?

Under T.C.A. § 36-6-408, each parent attends the parent educational seminar when a permanent parenting plan is or will be entered. That usually includes:

Divorce, legal separation, annulment or separate maintenance cases with minor children
Post-divorce cases that change a parenting plan
Never-married parents in custody or parentage cases, when the court orders it

Take the class as soon as possible after the complaint is filed. Each parent takes it and enrolls separately, and children do not attend. Only the court can waive the requirement, for good cause. If you are not sure whether your case needs it, check your court order or ask your attorney.

Court approval and prior approval in Tennessee

Many people search for “Tennessee court approved parenting classes.” What matters for your case is whether your court accepts the certificate. Certevia’s course meets T.C.A. § 36-6-408 and is accepted by courts in many Tennessee judicial districts.

Some counties require prior approval because the judge decides. In those counties, an online certificate may be accepted only with the court’s approval before you enroll, or for reasons such as living in another state or active military service. Your county page says whether to check with your attorney or court first.

Court acceptance guaranteed or your money back.

Your certificate of completion

Your certificate is included. You can download and print it as soon as you finish the course, day or night.

How it is filed depends on your court order: most parents file it with the clerk of the court handling the case or give it to their attorney to file. Keep a copy for your records. If you need help, call 1-800-767-8193 or email ep@certevia.com.

Tennessee parenting class in Spanish

The full course is available in English and Spanish, and you choose your language when you enroll. Both versions meet the same Tennessee requirements and include the ACEs video. ¿Prefiere leer en español? Vea esta página en español.

Course materials and student workbooks

Certevia has served families since 1990. Colleges and universities use Certevia’s course materials and student workbooks in their own classes, and our online course is backed by a published, peer-reviewed study. In Tennessee, our college partners include Nashville State Community College, Austin Peay State University, Cleveland State Community College and Dyersburg State Community College.

The course was written by Denise Baier, LMHC. Read the faculty bios or review the published evidence. Certevia has been a member of the Association of Family and Conciliation Courts (AFCC) since 2001.

For attorneys and courts

A printable two-page handout (English and Spanish) for family-law attorneys, judges and court staff to share with parents: the T.C.A. § 36-6-408 requirements, who must attend, how the certificate is filed, and QR codes to the English and Spanish class pages.

Download the Tennessee parenting class handout for attorneys and courts (PDF, 129 KB, English / Español)

Tennessee parenting class FAQs

Do you have to take a parenting class to get a divorce in Tennessee?

In most cases, yes. When a permanent parenting plan is or will be entered, T.C.A. § 36-6-408 requires each parent to attend a parent educational seminar of at least four hours. Only the court can waive it, for good cause.

Can I take the Tennessee parenting class online?

Yes. Certevia’s course is 100% online and self-paced, on a phone, tablet or computer. Most Tennessee counties accept the online course; some require prior approval because the judge decides, so check your county page before you enroll.

Is this a Tennessee court approved parenting class?

The course meets T.C.A. § 36-6-408, including the required ACEs video, and is accepted by courts in many Tennessee judicial districts. Some counties require prior approval because the judge decides. Court acceptance is guaranteed or your money back.

How long is the TN parenting class?

Four hours, as Tennessee law requires. You can finish in one sitting or over several sessions, and your progress is saved. There is no test.

What is the ACEs video, and is it included?

Tennessee requires the seminar to include a video on Adverse Childhood Experiences (ACEs), which explains how stress and trauma in childhood can affect children over time. It is built into the course.

Do both parents have to take the class?

Yes. Each parent attends the seminar and enrolls separately. You do not need to take it together, and children do not attend.

When should I take the parenting class?

As soon as possible after the complaint is filed. Finishing early helps avoid delays when the parenting plan goes to the judge.

How do I get my certificate to the court?

Download and print your certificate as soon as you finish. File it with the court clerk or give it to your attorney, as your court order directs. Keep a copy for your records.

Is the course available in Spanish?

Yes. The full course is available in English and Spanish. Choose your language when you enroll.

Why does the hub send me to my county page instead of a sign-up button?

Court details differ from county to county, and some counties require prior approval because the judge decides. Your county page shows what applies to your court and has the right sign-up link.