Since its first entry into league competitions in 1953, the team has achieved nine additional promotions, five of them to the Second Division and four to the top tier of Spanish football. The first promotion occurred after a playoff against Orihuela, culminating in a 3-1 victory at the Heliodoro Rodríguez López on May 31, 1953.

The club reached the First Division for the first time on April 30, 1961, after a goalless draw against Extremadura in Almendralejo, securing the category championship. However, after a brief stint in the elite, the team was relegated to the Third Division in 1968, returning to the Second Division three years later, on May 30, 1971, with a convincing 4-0 victory over Real Unión.

In 1978, CD Tenerife was relegated again, this time to Segunda B. The return to the Second Division was achieved in the 1982/1983 season, after thrashing Compostela 6-0 at the Rodríguez López on May 15, 1983. Another relegation to Segunda B in 1986 was followed by a quick promotion back to the Second Division in 1987, with a 5-1 victory over San Sebastián on May 31 of that year.

The 90s were the most successful decade, with promotion to the First Division in the 1988/1989 season, after overcoming Betis in a promotion playoff. The team returned to the elite in the 2000/2001 campaign, under the guidance of a renowned coach, and again in 2009, with a decisive goal in Montilivi on June 13.

After a double disappointment with two consecutive relegations to Segunda B, CD Tenerife managed to get promoted back to the Second Division on June 2, 2013, after defeating Hospitalet in a group champions playoff.