Category: Teacher Certification

Want to become a teacher in the great state of Wisconsin? If so, you have come to the right place. Below you will find a short article that lists the steps to becoming a teacher in Alaska.

Step 1: Complete an Approved Teacher Preparation Program

To teach in the U.S., educators must hold at least an undergraduate degree. The state of Wisconsin also requires students to complete a state-approved teacher education program to receive certification.  Wisconsin does not list specific course or semester-hour requirements, although every college or university teacher education program will have requirements of its own. Contact your teacher education program or the Wisconsin Department of Public Instruction for more information.

Teacher education programs typically include a combination of curriculum and field experiences. Courses often include instruction on foundational knowledge,  skills, and pedagogy (the art and science of teaching) as well as preparation in researching, creating, and implementing learning experiences in various fields of study. The field experiences component often includes class observation, student teaching, or internships.

Step 2: Complete the Required Exams

To become a licensed teacher in Wisconsin, you must pass: a foundation skills exam, like the Praxis Core Academic Skills for Educators series; content exams, such as the Praxis II series; and, if teaching elementary education, special education or reading, the Foundations of Reading Test for Wisconsin.

The Wisconsin Department of Public Instruction gives new teachers their Teaching Licenses, which are good for five years and are non-renewable, unless their extenuating circumstances. After a minimum of three years of teaching, teachers may advance to their Professional Educator Licenses, which are also good for five years and can be renewed. Also, the department offers the Master Educator License, which is good for 10 years, to teachers who currently possess a Professional Educator License and have completed either their national board certification or their Wisconsin master educator assessment process. Find out how to earn your Wisconsin teaching licensure on the Wisconsin Department of Public Instruction website. 

Step 3: Submit a Wisconsin Teaching Credential Application

After you complete your teacher preparation program and meet all testing and experience requirements, you’re ready to apply for the initial Wisconsin Educator’s License. Candidates can find their licensure application form here. Candidates must pay a fee of $100. After finishing their application, candidates should mail them to the director of certification of their Wisconsin college or university for endorsement. The director of certification will then send the packet to the Wisconsin Department of Public Instruction.

Want to become a teacher in the great state of Massachusetts? If so, you have come to the right place. Below you will find a short article that lists the steps to becoming a teacher in Massachusetts.

Step 1: Complete an Approved Teacher Preparation Program

In Massachusetts, you must have at least an undergraduate degree and complete a state-approved teacher education program to receive certification. Massachusetts does not list specific course or semester-hour requirements; however, some subject fields may have such requirements. Also, every college or university teacher education program will have requirements of its own. Contact your teacher education program or the Massachusetts Department of Elementary & Secondary Education for more information.

Teacher education programs generally consist of two elements—curriculum and field experiences. Curriculum typically includes instruction on teaching foundational skills, pedagogy (the science of teaching), and preparing students to research, create, and implement learning experiences in their field of study. Field experiences often include field observations, internships, student teaching, or a combination of all three. Go to the Massachusetts Department of Elementary & Secondary Education for a list of accredited teacher education programs.

Step 2: Complete the Required Exams

To earn your Massachusetts teaching licensure, you must complete required the appropriate number of undergraduate courses and standardized exams, and an accredited certification program. The state of Massachusetts issues an Initial license to new teachers, and a Professional license, issued after a minimum of three years of teaching under an Initial License and completion of a teacher induction program.

Find out more at the Massachusetts Department of Elementary & Secondary Education about earning your teaching credential.

Step 3: Submit a Massachusetts Teaching Credential Application

Once you have successfully finished all of your educational obligations, completed your student teaching requirements, and passed all of the required assessments, you may apply for teaching licensure in the state of Massachusetts. This can be done online through the ESE Security Portal, or you may mail a hard copy application.

Want to become a teacher in the great state of Tennessee? If so, you have come to the right place. Below you will find a short article that lists the steps to becoming a teacher in Tennessee.

Step 1: Complete an Approved Teacher Preparation Program

To teach in the U.S., educators must hold at least an undergraduate degree. The state of Tennessee also requires students to complete a state-approved teacher education program to receive certification. Tennessee does not list particular courses or semester-hour requirements, but every college or university teacher education program will have requirements of its own. Contact your teacher education program or the Tennessee Department of Education for more information.

Teacher education programs usually consist of two elements: curriculum and field experiences. The curriculum generally includes instruction on foundational skills, pedagogy (the science of teaching), and preparation for researching, creating, and implementing learning experiences in a field of study. Field experiences often include field observations, internships, student teaching, or a combination of all three. A list of accredited teacher education programs in Tennessee can be found on the state Department of Education’s website.

Step 2: Complete the Required Exams

To become a teacher in the state of Tennessee, you must successfully complete the Praxis Core Academic Skills for Educators exams, in addition to any relevant Praxis exams for Specific Licensure Areas. You can find a full list of exams that Tennessee teachers need to take on the Praxis website. To earn your Tennessee teaching license, you will have to complete the correct number of undergraduate courses and standardized exams, as well as an approved program. To learn more about obtaining your Tennessee teaching credential, visit the state Department of Education. Read more about getting your teaching licensure in general on the Teach and Certification Map websites.

Tennessee educators start out with an Apprentice Teaching Practitioner License, which is for the initial three years and may be renewed only once. After a minimum of three years of teaching experience, educators can apply for a Professional Teacher License, which is legally binding for six years and can be renewed an indefinite number of times. If you already hold a  teaching credential from another state, you may be eligible to earn your Tennessee credential through interstate reciprocity.

Step 3: Submit a Tennessee Teaching Credential Application

Have you finished your teacher preparation program, obtained at least an undergraduate degree, completed your student teaching experience, and completed all your tests? If so, you are ready to apply for educator licensure in Tennessee. This will be done by the educator preparation institution in which you attended.

Want to become a teacher in the great state of Wyoming? If so, you have come to the right place. Below you will find a short article that lists the steps to becoming a teacher in Wyoming.

Step 1: Complete an Approved Teacher Preparation Program

To teach in the U.S., educators must hold at least an undergraduate degree. The state of Wyoming also requires students to complete a state-approved teacher education program to receive certification. Wyoming does not list specific course or semester-hour requirements, but it does necessitate that student teaching be part of the Educator Preparation Program. Additionally, every Program will have elements of its own. Contact your program or the Professional Teaching Standards Board for more information.

Teacher education includes the completion of an accredited teacher preparation program. Typically, teacher preparation programs consist of a combination of curriculum and field experiences. The curriculum often includes instruction on basic knowledge and skills, pedagogy (the art and science of teaching), and preparing students to research, create and implement learning experiences in their field of study. The field experiences component can include field observations, student teaching, and an internship.

Step 2: Complete the Required Exams

The Wyoming Professional Teaching Standards Board necessitates testing according to license and content. Educators applying for initial licensure with endorsements in Elementary Education or Social Studies Composite must complete the relevant Praxis II exams. The specific exams required are listed on the board’s website. Learn more about earning your teaching credential in Wyoming on the Wyoming Professional Teaching Standards website. 

Step 3: Submit a Wyoming Teaching Credential Application

After finishing all requirements for initial licensure, fill out the licensure application form, and provide the PTSB with accompanying documents. An initial in-state educator’s license requires an application fee of $150, while an out-of-state license has an application fee of $200. Educators who meet the requirements can find the application form here. Candidates should send their completed forms with the required documents to: Professional Teaching Standards Board, 1920 Thomes Avenue, Suite 400, Cheyenne, WY 8200.

Are you thinking of becoming a teacher in Arizona? If so, keep reading to find out what you must do to become certified.

1. Complete a bachelor’s degree with a 3.0 GPA. First, you must complete a bachelor’s degree and graduate with a 3.0 GPA. Also, you must complete a state-approved teacher preparation program at either the undergraduate or post-baccalaureate level, and the program must be in the subject area in which you plan to teach. For example, you could major in teacher education at the undergraduate level, which would allow you to become a teacher with just a bachelor’s degree. Or you can complete a bachelor’s degree in a major other than teacher education and gain certification by completing an alternate or post-baccalaureate teacher education program. You can even complete a joint master’s degree and educator preparation program, as well.
2. Complete a student teaching experience. As part of your teacher education program, you will need to complete a student teaching experience at the grade level that you plan to teach.
3. Pass the required exams. Potential teachers must complete a teacher licensure exam to become certified. Early childhood educators are required to pass the subject knowledge of the early childhood education portion of the Arizona Educator Proficiency Assessments (AEPA). Elementary and secondary educators are required to pass the National Evaluation Series (NES) Assessment of Professional Knowledge. Both the elementary and secondary assessments include 100 multiple-choice questions, a case study, and a written assignment. Teacher education candidates who studied specific subjects, such as history or mathematics, must pass AEPA or NES exam in their subject area
4. Pass a background check. Potential teachers in Arizona must be fingerprinted and pass a background check. The process usually takes around 10 days. Applicants who have a criminal record may wait up to 55 days. Each background check is valid for six years.
5. Complete an application. To apply for Arizona teaching certification, applicants submit a photocopy of a valid IVP fingerprint card, official transcripts, exam scores, and proof of fieldwork or practicum experience. Applicants also must answer a round of questions about their background. Applicants who are certified to teach in another state must submit a photocopy of a valid and comparable out-of-state educator certificate.
6. Payment of all fees. The application process requires a $60 fee for each certificate, endorsement, or additional approved subject area. The licensure process typically takes one to three weeks; however, applicants may wait six weeks during peak season.

Do you want to become a teacher in the state of California? Well, we have put together a handy guide that lists the steps that you must take.

1. Complete a bachelor’s degree. You need a bachelor’s degree to apply for teaching certification in California. A potential teacher can complete their undergraduate degree in any subject as long as they complete a CTC-approved teacher preparation program. You need to complete your undergraduate degree with a 3.0 GPA to be eligible for certification. This means that you need to maintain a B average to become a teacher in the state of California. Sounds fair to me.
2. Complete a teacher education program and subject matter program. To become a teacher in the state of California, students must complete a CTC-approved educator preparation program and a CTC-approved subject matter program instead of the two Praxis tests. These programs provide substitute for the Praxis, as they indicate both general aptitude and content-area knowledge.
3. Complete your student teaching hours. All teacher education candidates must complete a student teaching experience under the supervision of a licensed teacher and a faculty mentor.
4. Pass a background check. The state of California requires that all teachers pass a live scan, which is an electronic fingerprinting method used by many organizations to check each applicant’s background for prior offenses. Applicants can fill out a Live Scan request here.
5. Submit an application for teacher certification. Potential teachers must submit an application that includes their transcripts, education preparation, subject matter programs, and proof of satisfaction of the basic skills requirement.
6. Payment of all fees. Teacher candidates must pay a $100 application fee when they submit their application. Students pay Live Scan fees directly to Live Scan. Out-of-state students can request fingerprint cards, but they must pay an additional $49 to do so. Online applications may include a $2.50 service fee.

Want to become a teacher in Georgia? Here are the 7 steps you will need to follow.

Step One: Provide proof that you hold a bachelor’s degree. If you are enrolled in a teacher education program approved by the state of Georgia, you must apply for a certificate of eligibility, which transfers to certification upon employment. If you do not have a bachelor’s degree in education, you can become certified by completing an educator certification program at an approved college.

Step Two: Hold a 2.5 GPA. Students who completed their bachelor’s degree within 10 years of applying for teacher certification must possess a minimum GPA of 2.5 to be considered. Minimum GPA requirements don’t pertain to students with a bachelor’s degree earned more than 10 years before pursuing certification or to those with a graduate degree.

Step Three: Complete your approved student teaching hours. Students who are in a state-approved educator preparation program must complete a teaching residency. This is also known as student teaching. Applicants for a Georgia teaching certificate must possess documentation of completed student teaching hours when they submit official college transcripts.

Step Four: Receive a passing grade on all required exams. Candidates for teaching certification in the state Georgia must complete a series of certification exams administered by the Georgia Assessments for the Certification of Educators (GACE). This series of tests is a replacement for the PRAXIS. The first exam that teacher candidates take is a basic skills assessment required for admission to a Georgia teacher education program. Applicants for certification also complete a content assessment that tests subject area knowledge.

Step Five: Pass a background check. Teachers must pass a criminal background check to teach at a public or private school in Georgia. Educators must pass a criminal background check every five years to renew their certification. Also, students who are seeking a pre-service certificate before graduation must complete a background check. School districts pay for the background check as part of the hiring process.

Step Six: Submit a Teaching Certification Application. Students who are seeking initial teacher certification must submit an online application, which can be found on the GaPSC website. Also, candidates must provide official college transcripts, proof of U.S. citizenship, and a copy of a photo ID. Graduates of a Georgia teacher education program submit a program completion form. Educators who earned their degree from a state other than Georgia must submit an experience verification form. These documents will be submitted through the applicant’s online GaPSC account.

Step Seven: Pay all your fees. Candidates who are seeking certification must pay a $20 processing fee upon submission of an application. This fee is waived for initial certification. Students seeking enrollment in a state-approved teacher education program must complete an admissions test that costs $78. Educators must also pay $30 for the Georgia educator assessment of ethics and $123 for a content assessment.

Want to become a teacher in the empire state? Look no further. Below you will find the seven steps that you must take to become a teacher in the state of New York.

Step One: Provide proof you hold a bachelor’s degree. To become a teacher in New York, you have to complete a bachelor’s degree from an accredited university. Your degree does not have to be in education, it can be in any subject, even Art.

Step Two: Complete an approved teacher-preparation program. Next, potential teachers must complete a teacher preparation program approved by the state of New York. If you completed a teacher preparation program outside of the state of New York, you could still be eligible for a New York teaching certificate, as long as the program is comparable to New York’s approved program.

Step Three: Receive a passing grade on required exams. To become a certified teacher in the state of New York, you must receive a passing grade on two New York State Teacher Certification Exams: Educating All Students (EAS) and edTPA. Potential teachers also must get a passing grade on content specialty test(s) in their certification area.

Step Four: Pass background clearance by New York. Potential teachers who want to teach in New York schools must pass a criminal background check to ensure they are not a threat to student safety.

Step Five: Take the required workshops. All potential New York teachers must take the Dignity for All Students Act Workshop.

Step Six: Submit an application for teaching certification. You need to submit a formal application to receive your teaching certification in New York state. This process can be completed through the TEACH System website. After you complete and submit your application online, you are required to send in your supporting documentation, including official transcripts, test scores, copies of teaching certificates, documentation of experience, and documentation of teaching experience. These supplemental materials must include your current name, date of birth, and last four digits of your social security number.

Step Seven: Payment of all fees. You have to pay all of your certification fees. This includes  $99 for your background check and a licensing fee when you submit your application. The cost of the fee is $50 for applicants who qualify for certification by completing a New York State approved program or $100 for applicants who qualify using any other pathway.

Want to become a teacher in the great state of Alabama? If so, you have come to the right place. Below you will find a short article that lists the 4 steps to becoming a teacher in Alabama.

Step One: Finish a bachelor’s degree and other coursework that may be required. Each state requires that you have a bachelor’s degree to become a teacher. Also, some may require you to possess certain credit hour requirements in specialty areas.

Step Two: Complete a state-approved teacher education program. In Alabama, there are three levels of teacher certification:

• Class B (bachelor’s degree)
• Class AA (sixth-year program)
• Class A (master’s degree)
• Alternative Class A (master’s degree)

All of which require the completion of a state-approved education program. Potential teachers can find a listing of approved teacher education programs on the Alabama State Department of Education (ASTE) website. If you received your degree and certification outside of Alabama, you should check the ASTE website to ensure that Alabama has reciprocity with the state in which you received your degree.

Step Three: Pass required exams. This includes the Basic Skills Assessment requirement and the content-specific assessments (Praxis Exam) required for their level of instruction. The Alabama Educator Certification Testing Program (AECTP) consists of two assessments: the Basic Skills Assessment and the Praxis II Content Exam.

Step Four: Submit an Alabama teaching credential application. After you have completed your degree and certification requirements, you are ready to apply for a teaching credential.

Teacher education candidates interested in obtaining teacher certification in the state of Alabama must meet the following requirements:

• Fill out an application for Alabama certification
• Pay a non-refundable $30 application fee
• Provide official transcript(s) of all degrees and credits earned, sent in sealed envelopes from the institution(s)
• Pass a background check
• Fill out any supplemental form(s) required by Alabama certification application and present any and all supporting document(s)

See this checklist for further details.

There may be other requirements that have not been covered here. Contact the ASTE for more information.

Texas is one of the largest and most populous states in the union. Which means it needs a lot of teachers to educate its children. Did I mention that the pay isn’t bad? Its teachers made an average of $53,167 during the 2017-2018 school year, which means it pays better than about 45% of U.S. states. Are you interested in becoming a teacher in the state of Texas? Here is what you will need to do to receive PreK-12 certification.

1. Obtain a Bachelor’s Degree – Obtain a bachelor’s degree from an accredited college or university.
2. Complete an Educator Preparation Program – You must graduate from an Approved Educator Preparation Program. If you already hold a bachelor’s degree and want to become a teacher, you must complete an Alternative Certification Program or Post Baccalaureate program.
3. Pass Certification Exams – You must pass your teacher certification exams. You may be asked to verify this information.
4. Submit a State Application – Once all requirements are met, you can apply for certification. Do not apply unless you have verified that you are eligible. Please contact your teacher education program to confirm.
5. Complete Fingerprinting – If you are a first-time applicant, you must be fingerprinted as part of a national criminal background check.