How to Get a Teacher Certification

Teaching is one of the most noble professions, and it takes a special person to be a good teacher. Earning a teaching license is just the beginning of a journey that can be both challenging and rewarding for future teachers. People teach for different reasons. Regardless of your motivation, teachers are needed all over the country.

What is a Teacher Certification?

Teacher certification is the process by which prospective educators become certified to teach in a specific field after completing required courses, degrees, exams, and other designated criteria. You can get certified in the state where you hope to teach, then get national certification, which is recognized by all 50 states and the District of Columbia.

Traditional Pathways to Becoming a Teacher

1.Earn a Bachelor's Degree and Complete a Teacher Preparation Program

You'll need four years to complete a bachelor's degree program, followed by teacher preparation to ensure you're ready for your first day in the classroom.

2.Meet Student Teaching Requirements

Each state has different requirements.

3.Get a Master's Degree If Your Major Requires It

Some professional teaching fields and educational administration pathways require a master's degree.

4.Pass the teacher exam required by your state

You will most likely need to prepare to pass Praxis, a standardized exam for those who want to become teachers.

5.Apply for state teaching certification

Special circumstances and alternative pathways to teacher certification

When pursuing a teaching degree and studying for certification, there are some special circumstances to consider. Here are some common circumstances and alternative pathways that may allow you to quickly, provisionally obtain certification or license, or teach without going through the full certification process.

1.Accelerated certification programs

If you want to become a teacher quickly and already have a bachelor's degree, you may want to consider an accelerated teacher certification program. An accelerated teacher certification program allows you to earn your teaching certification while you are actively teaching.

However, if you think accelerated certification is a quick solution to getting your teaching certification, think again. These programs tend to be very intensive and require students to commit fully to their profession. It's like having two full-time jobs, but those who commit will be rewarded because they will earn their teaching license in a shorter time than with the traditional pathway.

2.Private and Charter Schools

Charter schools are independent public schools, each governed by a public board that has the authority to hire teachers according to standards it sets. In some states, charter schools can hire teachers without being subject to state certification requirements. In other states, charter schools must follow the same state requirements as other public schools and only hire certified teachers. Contact your state's Department of Education to learn about teacher certification requirements for a specific charter school.

Private schools, on the other hand, are not regulated by the state and can set their own standards. While some private schools require teachers to hold a teaching certificate, many do not. Contact individual schools to find out if they require teachers to hold a teaching certificate.

3.Emergency Teaching Certificates

Due to severe teacher shortages, some states have extended temporary and emergency teacher licenses to bypass state licensing requirements. These licenses are typically issued to individuals who teach in high-demand subject areas such as math, science, special education, or bilingual education, or in high-demand areas such as urban schools. To find out if your state currently offers emergency teaching licenses, contact your state's Department of Education.

4.Transferring a Teaching Credential from Another State

Most states do not accept foreign teaching licenses, but you may be eligible for a temporary teaching license, which allows you to teach while completing the education courses and exams you are missing. You will be fully licensed after completing all regular teacher certification requirements, which may only require one to two semesters of full-time study.

Is there a way to teach without certification?

Here are some common paths to enter the teaching profession without rigorous exams (at least at first). You will still need to obtain a degree and may require other types of review to teach, but these options can allow you to enter the field without certification or the ability to obtain it before.

Get an instructional support position in a public school

Consider teaching positions overseas

Become a student teacher

Consider substitute teaching (although you may need to complete a competency test)

Volunteer for a teaching position

In order to take the next step and obtain your state teaching certification, it is important to decide what subjects you want to teach and where you want to teach. Then, you need to find a teaching program that meets your needs! When you pursue teaching certification, you will need to take the necessary courses to become certified in your state, and then you will apply for a state license. Learn about the different certification options that will help you prepare for a successful teaching career!