Guide
How to Get a Teaching Certificate
To get a teaching certificate you usually earn a bachelor's degree, complete an approved preparation program, pass required tests and apply to your state agency. 221 of 611 credentials require a preparation program.
Steps
- Earn a bachelor's degree (493 credentials require one).
- Complete a teacher preparation program or an alternative route.
- Complete clinical experience (214 credentials require it).
- Pass required tests.
- Complete a background check (380) or fingerprinting (356).
- Apply to the state agency.
Certification tests
56 of 59 states and territories require tests for at least one credential, and 371 credentials list tests. Title II records whether tests are required, not which tests, so check with your state agency.
Certification 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
Frequently asked questions
How do I get a teaching license?
Meet your state's degree, preparation, testing and background requirements, then apply to the state agency. Each state page lists them by credential.
Do I need to pass a test to get a teaching certificate?
In most states, yes. 56 states and territories require tests for at least one credential.