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How to become a teacher in Iowa

Prep providers

Completers

2,159

Newly licensed

2,079

Colleges (IPEDS)

Credential rules change. Confirm current requirements with Iowa Department of Education.

Steps drawn from the state's data

Earn a bachelor's degree. At least one initial credential requires one.
Complete a teacher preparation program. Iowa has 29 Title II providers.
Complete clinical experience such as student teaching.
Complete a background check or fingerprinting.
Apply to Iowa Department of Education for an initial credential, such as Career and Technical; Initial; Teacher Intern.
Career changers can use one of 2 alternative routes instead of a traditional program.

Iowa teacher certification Alternative routes

Teacher preparation providers in Iowa

Provider	Program types	Enrollment	Completers
Briar Cliff University	Traditional	50	15
Buena Vista University	Traditional	629	133
Central College	Traditional	134	27
Clarke University	Traditional	106	25
Coe College	Traditional	93	24
Cornell College	Traditional	19	18
Dordt University	Traditional	209	36
Drake University	Traditional	345	72
Emmaus Bible College	Traditional	28	5
Faith Baptist Bible College	Traditional	65	12
Graceland University	Traditional	112	28
Grand View University	Traditional	130	17
Grinnell College	Traditional	22	5
Iowa State University	Traditional	888	282
Loras College	Traditional	69	19
Luther College	Traditional	93	38
Morningside University	Traditional; Alternative, IHE-based	388	147
Mt. Mercy University	Traditional	62	38
Northwestern College	Traditional	273	51
Regents Alternative Pathway to Iowa Licensure	Alternative, IHE-based	87	39
Simpson College	Traditional	104	30
St. Ambrose University	Traditional	139	44
University of Dubuque	Traditional	103	33
University of Iowa	Traditional	661	253
University of Northern Iowa	Traditional	2,191	558
Upper Iowa University	Traditional	329	79
Waldorf University	Traditional	56	17
Wartburg College	Traditional	226	43
William Penn University	Traditional	280	71

About teacher preparation in Iowa

Iowa is committed to ensuring that teachers are well prepared and that the approval process for educator preparation programs offered through colleges and universities is rigorous.

Iowa mandates that all teachers in state-approved schools possess a valid license corresponding to their teaching area(s). New teachers can only be recommended for initial licensure after fulfilling a comprehensive set of requirements based on the Interstate Teacher Assessment and Support Consortium (InTASC) Standards, Iowa Core Standards, Iowa State Board of Education Program Standards and Iowa Teaching Standards. These standards and guidance for meeting standards for both traditional and alternative preparation programs are regularly reviewed and updated.

Due to the rigorous completion requirements of these programs, the Board of Educational Examiners does not require a licensure exam for candidates who have completed Iowa-approved preparation programs. Instead, program completers who fulfill all requirements are recommended to the Board of Educational Examiners for an initial teaching license. After two or three years of successful teaching, evaluations aligned to the Iowa teaching standards, and completion of a novice teacher mentoring program these candidates may then be recommended for a Standard License. Additionally, those who meet the state's requirements for experience and graduate-level education may obtain a Master Educator's License.

A reading competency exam is required for candidates earning endorsements in elementary education, early childhood, reading, early childhood special education and K-8 special education. While candidates are not required to pass the assessment for licensure purposes, the programs are required to provide remediation and report passage rates annually.

Iowa approved preparation programs submit annual reports that include candidate information such as areas of endorsement, innovations, and targeted areas for improvement. The education department team analyzes the data submitted through these annual reports, comparing the reported figures for consistency and verifying the accuracy of the reported numbers of program completers.

Additionally, the State Educator Quality Team conducts a thorough review of each program on a seven-year cycle to maintain high standards in educator preparation.