If you are interested in becoming a teacher, one of the first steps is to become certified. This is a process that allows you to teach in the state where you reside. To become certified, you must meet the requirements set forth by your state’s Department of Education. In addition, it is important to note that there are different types of certification for teachers: teaching credentials, temporary licenses and provisional licenses.
Teaching credentials are valid for five years and can be renewed up to three times for an additional five years each time by meeting certain requirements such as completing continuing education courses and maintaining good standing on student records. Temporary licenses are issued when a person has been hired but has not yet completed all requirements for a teaching credential. These licenses must be renewed each year until the person meets all requirements and receives a permanent credential. A provisional license is issued to someone who has been hired but does not meet all requirements for obtaining a temporary license within two years after being hired by an educational institution or agency.
How To Become Certified To Teach
Teacher certification is the process by which prospective educators get teacher licensing to teach within a given area after completing required coursework, degrees, tests, and other specified criteria. You can become certified by the state in which you wish to teach, and then earn national certification accepted in all 50 states and the District of Columbia.
The Traditional Route to Teacher Certification
If you already know you’d like to teach in a particular state and have made the commitment to earning your degree and taking the traditional route to the classroom, here are the basic steps to get you there.
- Earn a bachelor’s degree and complete a teacher prep programYou’ll need four years for a bachelor’s program, followed by your teacher’s preparation to make sure you’re ready for your first day in the classroom.
- Fulfill the student teaching requirementEach state has different requirements.
- Earn your master’s degree if your specialization requires oneSome specialized teaching areas and educational administration paths require a master’s degree.
- Pass your state’s required exam for teachersYou’ll most likely need to prepare to pass the Praxis, which is a standardized exam for those who want to become teachers.
- Apply for state teacher certificationRead on to learn about the different types of teacher certification.
Find Teacher Certification and Licensing Requirements by State
All states require that people be licensed before they can teach in our public schools. The rigorous process for certification and licensing ensures that teachers meet certain standards in their subject areas, pass required background checks for the age groups they teach, and are up to speed in accepted teaching methods. Use our map or drop-down lists to find your state and begin learning about requirements.
Teaching Reciprocity
Transferring Teacher Certification to Another State
If you are already a teacher but are moving to another state, you may be happy to learn that transferring teaching certificates between states is often possible. Many states have reciprocity agreements that make it easier for teachers licensed in one state to become certified in another. Currently, more than 40 states have reciprocity agreements with at least one other state; however, many consider this transfer only provisional. In those cases, you would be required to earn the new state’s license within the first few years of teaching there.
Types of Teacher Certification
A teaching credential is a license conferred by a state agency to teachers who have completed certain state-mandated requirements, such as education courses and student teaching experience, and have passed additional state-mandated teaching examinations. Each state sets its own requirements for teacher certification, and there is no guarantee that a certification in one state will be accepted in another state. For example, a teacher who holds a Texas teacher certification won’t necessarily be qualified to teach in Georgia.
All states require certified teachers to hold a bachelor’s degree, and more and more states now require candidates to hold a master’s degree or receive one within the first five years of teaching.
Teachers may earn a credential that allows them to teach either certain subject matter or a specific grade level. The type of teaching credential you pursue will depend on your interests as well as the options and requirements set by your state Department of Education.
Elementary and Middle School Certification
Teaching Certificates and Endorsements in Secondary Education
Teacher Certification for Specific Subject Areas
Nationally Recognized Teacher Certification/Board Certification
Certificate vs Certification: What’s the Difference?
Special Situations and Alternative Paths to Teacher Certification
There are special situations to consider as you pursue your teaching degree and research certification. Here are some common situations and alternative paths that may allow you to get your certification or licensing quickly, on a temporary basis, or teach without going through the whole certification process.
Accelerated Certification Programs
If you want to become a teacher quickly and already have your bachelor’s degree, you can consider enrolling in an accelerated teacher certification program. Accelerated teacher certification programs allow you to earn their teaching credentials while you’re actively teaching.
However, if you think that accelerated certification is a quick fix for obtaining a teaching certificate, think again. These programs tend to be very intensive and require students to be fully dedicated. It can be like having two full-time jobs, but those who are committed will be rewarded by earning a teacher’s license in less time than pursuing the traditional route.
Private and Charter Schools
Charter schools are independent public schools, each governed by a public board of trustees that has the authority to hire teachers according to their own established standards. In some states, charter schools can hire teachers regardless of state certification requirements. In other states, charter schools are like other public schools and are held to the same state requirements to hire only certified teachers. Contact your state Department of Education to find out a particular charter school’s teacher certification requirements.
On the other hand, private schools are not regulated by state government and can set their own standards. While some private schools require teachers to be certified, many do not. Contact individual schools to learn whether they require teacher certification.
Emergency Teaching Credentials
Because of critical teacher shortages, some states extend temporary and emergency teacher licensing that bypasses state licensing requirements. These are often granted to individuals to teach in high-need subject areas, such as mathematics, science, special education or bilingual education, or for high-need geographic areas such as urban schools. To discover if your state currently offers emergency teaching certificates, contact your state Department of Education.
Transferring Teaching Credentials from Another Country
Most states do not accept teacher licensing from foreign countries, but you may qualify for a provisional teaching certificate which allows you to teach while completing the education courses and examinations you lack. After you complete all regular teacher certification requirements, you’ll become fully licensed, which may take only one or two semesters of full-time study.
Are There Ways to Teach Without Certification?
Here are some common paths to get into the teaching profession without going through the rigorous exam process (at least at first). You will still need to earn your degree and may require other types of vetting in order to teach, but these options give you a way to enter the field without certification or before you’re able to get certified.
- Get a teaching support position in a public school
- Consider a teaching position overseas
- Become a student teacher
- Consider substitute teaching (though you may be required to complete competency tests)
- Volunteer for teaching roles
Why Pursue Your Teaching Education?
Teaching is one of the most noble professions and it takes a special person to be a great teacher. Getting your teacher licensure is only the beginning of the journey, and future teachers have both challenges and rewards ahead of them.
Teaching is a great career for so many reasons:
- You can really make a difference in kids’ lives
- You get to smile-and laugh-every day
- There’s a lot of variety, and no two days are the same
- You get to share your love of learning
People teach for many different reasons. Some have always known that they wanted to become a teacher, while others enter the field because they love a certain subject and want to share it. Some were inspired by one of their teachers and want to give back by inspiring the next generation. Many teachers just love kids and enjoy helping them learn and grow in a caring environment. No matter your motivation, teachers are needed across the country, with the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics 2021 data citing a 7- to-8% growth rate at the elementary and secondary levels, which is right on course for job growth for all professions through 2030 (Based on national data, not school-specific information. Conditions in your area may vary).
