PR certification
Puerto Rico teacher certification
Teaching credentials in Puerto Rico
Each row is a credential Puerto Rico reported to Title II. Initial means a first credential for a new teacher. Years is the length of validity.
| Credential | Initial | Years | Renewable | Grade levels |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Lifelong Certificate | No | 6 | No | PK-6, 7-12 |
| Provisional | No | 1 | Yes | K-6, 7-12 |
| Regular Certification | Yes | 6 | Yes | K-6, 7-12 |
Requirements
Yes means the state reports the item as required for that credential. Tests shows only whether tests are required; Title II does not name the tests.
| Credential | Bachelor's | Master's | Education degree | Prep program | Tests | Performance assessment | Clinical | Coursework | Credit hours | Min. GPA | Transcripts | Employment | Mentoring | Recency | Background check | Fingerprint | Police check |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Lifelong Certificate | Yes | No | No | Yes | Yes | No | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | No | No | Yes | No | No | Yes |
| Provisional | Yes | No | No | Yes | No | No | No | No | No | No | Yes | No | No | No | No | No | Yes |
| Regular Certification | Yes | No | Yes | Yes | Yes | No | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | No | No | No | No | No | Yes |
Verify a teaching license in Puerto Rico
Teaching licenses in Puerto Rico are verified on the lookup service run by Puerto Rico Department of Education. Search there by the teacher's name or certificate number to see current status.
PT3 does not verify licenses and holds no records of individual teachers.
Renewal
Renew times is how many times the credential can be renewed; renewal years is the length of each renewal.
| Credential | Renewable | Renew times | Renewal years | Details |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Lifelong Certificate | No | Not reported | Not reported | Not reported |
| Provisional | Yes | 10 | 3 | This certificate is issued to teachers of private schools. The private school determines the requirements. |
| Regular Certification | Yes | 5 | 6 | No limit on renewable. |
Emergency and temporary credentials
| Credential | Initial | Years | Renewable | Grade levels |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Provisional | No | 1 | Yes | K-6, 7-12 |
Out-of-state teachers
Title II lists no separate out-of-state credential for Puerto Rico. Ask Puerto Rico Department of Education how it reviews licenses from other states.
Newly licensed teachers prepared out of state: 0.
Alternative routes
- Caribbean University, Recinto Bayamon (134) (teach while completing)
- Conservatorio de Música de Puerto Rico 127 (teach while completing)
- Dewey University 8 (teach while completing)
- Pontificia Universidad Católica de Puerto Rico, Arecibo 117 (teach while completing)
- Pontificia Universidad Católica de Puerto Rico, Ponce 118 (teach while completing)
- Universidad Adventista de las Antillas 129 (teach while completing)
- Universidad Ana G. Mendez, Recinto Carolina 130 (teach while completing)
- Universidad Ana G. Mendez, Recinto Cupey 122 (teach while completing)
- Universidad Ana G. Mendez, Recinto Gurabo 123 (teach while completing)
- Universidad Central de Bayamón 126 (teach while completing)
- Universidad de Puerto Rico , Recinto de Mayaguez 106 (teach while completing)
- Universidad de Puerto Rico Recinto de Arecibo 104 (teach while completing)
- Universidad de Puerto Rico, Recinto Carolina 96 (teach while completing)
- Universidad de Puerto Rico, Recinto de Aguadilla 101 (teach while completing)
- Universidad de Puerto Rico, Recinto de Bayamon 108 (teach while completing)
- Universidad de Puerto Rico, Recinto de Cayey 100 (teach while completing)
- Universidad de Puerto Rico, Recinto de Ponce 105 (teach while completing)
- Universidad de Puerto Rico, Recinto de Rio Piedras 107 (teach while completing)
- Universidad del Sagrado Corazón 121 (teach while completing)
- Universidad Interamericana de Puerto Rico Recinto de Ponce 111 (teach while completing)
- Universidad Interamericana de Puerto Rico, Recinto de Aguadilla 112 (teach while completing)
- Universidad Interamericana de Puerto Rico, Recinto de Arecibo 114 (teach while completing)
- Universidad Interamericana de Puerto Rico, Recinto de Barranquitas 113 (teach while completing)
- Universidad Interamericana de Puerto Rico, Recinto de Guayama 116 (teach while completing)
- Universidad Interamericana de Puerto Rico, Recinto de San Germán 109 (teach while completing)
- Universidad Interamericana de Puerto Rico, Recinto Metropolitano 110 (teach while completing)
About Puerto Rico certification
The PRDE home page, which can be accessed at http://www.de.pr.gov in the sections: "DE digital Académico", "Secretaría Auxiliar de Recursos Humanos" and "Programa de Experiencias Clinicas Educativas" has sections and information relevant to the STRC. These sections: include policies and regulations related to teacher certification, effective teachers, and professional development, in that order. They are available through documents such as circular letters, memoranda, manuals, and regulatory statutes. Links in this report connect to those policies and regulations.
How to become a teacher in Puerto RicoPuerto Rico teacher preparation providers
Frequently asked questions
How do I get a teaching certificate in Puerto Rico?
Puerto Rico reports 3 credentials to Title II, 1 of them initial. 1 initial credentials require a bachelor's degree, 1 require a preparation program and 1 require tests. Apply through Puerto Rico Department of Education.
How do I verify a teaching license in Puerto Rico?
Licenses are verified on the lookup service run by Puerto Rico Department of Education. PT3 does not verify licenses.
Can I renew a Puerto Rico teaching certificate?
2 of 3 Puerto Rico credentials are reported as renewable. Renewal details by credential are listed in the Renewal section.
Does Puerto Rico issue emergency or temporary teaching certificates?
Yes. Title II lists 1: Provisional.
Can I teach in Puerto Rico with an out-of-state license?
Title II lists no separate out-of-state credential for Puerto Rico. Ask Puerto Rico Department of Education how it reviews licenses from other states.
Is there alternative teacher certification in Puerto Rico?
Yes. Puerto Rico reports 26 alternative routes to Title II.