Guide
How to Become a Teacher: Steps by State
To become a teacher, earn a bachelor's degree, complete a teacher preparation program or alternative route, pass your state's required tests and apply for a credential. A traditional path usually takes about four years of college; alternative routes report their own maximum completion times.
How long does it take?
Title II does not report program length for traditional programs. Alternative routes report a maximum time to complete; the median is 3 years across 183 routes.
Becoming a high school teacher
Secondary credentials usually cover grades 6 to 12 or 7 to 12 and often require a degree or coursework in the subject. Each state's credentials table shows the grade levels covered.
Steps by state
- Alabama
- Alaska
- Arizona
- Arkansas
- California
- Colorado
- Connecticut
- Delaware
- District of Columbia
- Florida
- Georgia
- Hawaii
- Idaho
- Illinois
- Indiana
- Iowa
- Kansas
- Kentucky
- Louisiana
- Maine
- Maryland
- Massachusetts
- Michigan
- Minnesota
- Mississippi
- Missouri
- Montana
- Nebraska
- Nevada
- New Hampshire
- New Jersey
- New Mexico
- New York
- North Carolina
- North Dakota
- Ohio
- Oklahoma
- Oregon
- Pennsylvania
- Rhode Island
- South Carolina
- South Dakota
- Tennessee
- Texas
- Utah
- Vermont
- Virginia
- Washington
- West Virginia
- Wisconsin
- Wyoming
- American Samoa
- Guam
- Northern Mariana Islands
- Puerto Rico
- Virgin Islands
- Micronesia
- Marshall Islands
- Palau
Frequently asked questions
How long does it take to become a teacher?
Usually about four years for a bachelor's degree with a preparation program. Alternative routes list a maximum time to complete on each state's routes page.
How do I become a high school teacher?
Earn a degree in your subject, complete a preparation program or alternative route with a secondary credential, pass required tests and apply to the state.