Educator Preparation and Licensure

In order to obtain an Alabama teaching license, an applicant must meet, but is not always limited to, the following requirements: must have at least a BA Degree, completed an Alabama approved teacher certification program, and received passing scored on the required assessments.

In order to renew certification, teachers must provide the necessary information and participate in professional development activities.

In order to obtain a teacher license in the state of Alaska, applicants must earn a bachelor's degree, complete an approved teacher preparation program, and pass required exams.

For certification renewal, teachers must provide required information to the Department and complete professional development coursework.

In order to become a certified teacher in Arizona, an applicant must hold a bachelor's degree from an accredited program and prove knowledge on the Arizona Teacher Proficiency Assessment.

In order for a teacher to renew their certificate, they must participate in professional development activities.

In order to become a certified teacher in Arkansas, an applicant must earn a bachelor's degree, complete an accredited teacher preparation program, pass State Board approved assessments, and complete online professional development.

The State Board will not renew teacher licenses without completion of professional development hours.

In order to become a certified teacher in California, an applicant must have a bachelor's degree from an accredited institution, complete and approved teacher preparation program, and pass a required certification examination.

Professional development hours are not required to renew a certificate. Regulations surrounding educator certification are linked.

In order to receive an initial teaching license in Colorado, an applicant must have earned a bachelor's degree, completed an approved teacher preparation program, and passed a state content assessment.

Different requirements are necessary for each type of license: initial, professional, and master.

In order to be eligible for a Connecticut teaching certificate an applicant must meet assessment, preparation and eligibility requirements.

In order to become a certified teacher in Delaware, an applicant must hold a bachelor's degree, complete a state approved teacher preparation program, and pass an content examination.

In order to renew a certificate teachers must complete 90 clock hours of professional development.

In order to receive a basic teaching certificate, applicants must hold a bachelor's degree, complete an approved teacher preparation program, and passed the Praxis I and II exams.

Teachers are required to have accumulated 90 clock hours of professional development or completing six credit hours from a post-secondary institution, or a combination of both.

In order to become a certified teacher in Florida, applicants must hold a bachelor's degree, complete an approved teacher preparation program, and pass a content examination. Other specific requirements for each type of certificate are listed.

In order to renew a certificate, educators are required to accumulate 6 semester hours (or the equivalent) over the life of the license in order to renew a certificate.

Georgia offers two types of renewable professional certificates: standard and performance-based. Each have different requirements.

For both types of Georgia professional teaching certificates, standard and performance-based, there are different requirements for licensure renewal.

In order to teach in Guam, applicants must earn a degree from a state approved preparation program, have at least a 2.7 GPA, and pass both the Praxis I and II.

In order for teachers in Guam to renew their certificate, applicants must complete professional development hours.

In order to become a certified teacher in Hawaii, an applicant must complete a state approved teacher preparation program and demonstrate basic skills.

The State Board shall determine the criteria that shall be considered for renewal of a license or permit.

In order to become a certified teacher in Idaho, an applicant must pass numerous assessments regarding pedagogy, literacy, and technology as well as endorsement specific requirements outlined in the policy.

In order for educators in Idaho to renew their certificate, they must complete a mathematics and literacy course.

In order to become a certified teacher in Illinois, applicants must have a bachelor's degree, completed an approved teacher preparation program, have coursework regarding the exceptional child and literacy in the content area, as well as passed a content examination.

Professional development hours are required in order to renew a teaching certificate.

In order to become a certified teacher in Indiana, an applicant must show proficiency in content through an examination, receive a bachelor's degree, and complete an approved teacher preparation program.

Teachers must complete a professional growth plan that includes at least 90 growth experience points.

In order to become a teacher in Iowa, applicants must hold a bachelor's degree, complete an approved teacher preparation program, and pass a content examination.

Professional development is required for teachers in order to renew a certificate.

In Kansas, in order to be licensed, applicants must hold a bachelor's degree, complete an approved teacher preparation program, and pass the required pedagogical examination. Specific licensure requirements are listed under 91-1-203.

Teachers who already hold a license simply must reapply before the initial license expiration date. If not, other requirements apply that are outlined in 91-1-205.

In order to obtain a Kentucky teaching license, an applicant must hold a bachelor's degree, completed an approved teacher preparation program, and passed a content specific examination.

Professional development is required for teachers in order to renew their certificate every 5 years.

In order to become a certified teacher in Louisiana, an applicant must hold a bachelor's degree, have completed an approved teacher preparation program, passed a content-specific examination, and meet all the content-specific requirements outlined in the policy.

Professional development is required for teachers renewing all types of certificates.

In order to become a certified teacher in Maine, an applicant must hold a bachelor's degree, have completed an approved teacher preparation program, and pass a content examination.

In order to renew a certificate, a teacher must complete at least 6 hours of professional study over 5 years.

In order to be certified in the Mariana Islands, applicants must have at least a bachelor's degree from an accredited institution and passed both the Praxis I and II.

In order for a license to be renewed, teachers must prove completion of Praxis exams.

In order to obtain a Maryland teaching license, an applicant must meet, but is not always limited to, the following requirements: must have at least a BA Degree, completed a teacher preparation program from an accredited institution, and received passing scores on required assessments. All state licenses accepted.

Professional development hours are only required for those that are renewing a license that have not been teaching for the past 5 years.

In order to become a certified teacher in Massachusetts, an applicant must have a bachelor's degree, have completed an approved teacher preparation program, and passed content-knowledge examinations.

Educators renewing before July 1, 2016 must acquire at least 150 professional development points in order to renew the certificate. Further information is provided at the link.

In order to become a certified teacher in Michigan, an applicant must pass the basic skills and content-specific examinations.

Professional development is required for teachers in order to renew a certificate.

In order to become a certified teacher in Minnesota, an applicant must earn a passing score on a board-adopted skills examination in reading, writing, and mathematics.

The Board of Teaching sets license renewal guidelines that must show evidence of successful teaching.

In order to become a certified teacher in Mississippi, an applicant must hold a bachelor's degree from an accredited institution, pass both the Praxis I and II, and hold a 2.75 GPA in pre-program coursework.

In order to renew a teaching license, professional development activities must be completed.

As listed in 5 CSR 20-400.150 Application for Certificate of License to Teach, applicants for a Missouri teaching certificate must hold a bachelor's degree, have at least a 2.5 GPA, and earn a passing score on the state certification examination.

Requirements for teacher certification vary depending on date of renewal.

In order to become a certified teacher in Montana, an applicant must have at least a bachelor's degree, completed a Montana teacher certification program, and completed a supervised teaching experience..

Professional development or renewal activities are required for teacher certificate renewal.

In order to become a certified teacher in Nebraska, an applicant must hold at least a bachelor's degree, have completed an approved teacher preparation program, and have passed the required certification examination.

In order to renew a certificate in Nebraska, teachers must complete an application form and have teaching experience.

In order to obtain a Nevada teaching license, an applicant must meet, but is not always limited to, the following requirements: must have at least a BA Degree and received passing scores on required assessments. All state licenses are accepted but AR, CA, CO, DC, HI,IL, IA, MN, NY, and NC.

Educators are required to have 6 credits of professional development to renew a license

In order to obtain a New Hampshire teaching license, an applicant must meet, but is not always limited to, the following requirements: must have at least a BA Degree, completed of a New Hampshire teacher certification program, and received passing scores on the required assessments. All state licenses are accepted.

Educators are required to get a minimum of 75 hours of professional development, and 30 additional hours for every additional endorsement they hold.

In order to become a certified teacher in New Jersey, an applicant must hold a bachelor's degree, hold a 3.0 GPA, and pass state certification tests.

Certificates of eligibility and certificates of eligibility with advanced standing are permanent certifications that do not require renewal. Nonetheless, teachers are still required to complete 20 hours of professional development annually.

In order to become a certified teacher in New Mexico, an applicant must have specific educational coursework.

Teachers are not required to complete professional development courses, however, they must complete a professional development dossier

In order to become a certified teacher in New York, an applicant must be at least 18 years old and be a citizen of the United States. More specific details are listed at the site attached below.

Educators with a professional certification must complete 175 hours of professional development every five years to keep the certificate valid.

In order to become a certified teacher in North Carolina, an applicant must hold a bachelor's degree, attend an accredited institution with an approved teacher preparation program, and pass state certification examinations.

Continuing education credits are required for certificate renewal in North Carolina.

In order to become a certified teacher in North Dakota, an applicant must hold a bachelor's degree, complete a state approved teacher preparation program, hold a GPA of 2.5, and pass state examinations.

Renewal requirements vary based on the license.

In order to become a certified teacher in Ohio, an applicant must hold a bachelor's degree and have attended an accredited preparation program.

Each educator is responsible for the design of an Individual Professional Development Plan, subject to the approval of the Local Professional Development Committee. The plan should be based on the needs of the educator, the students, the school and the school district, and be aligned with the professional educator standards adopted by the State Board of Education.

In order to become a certified teacher in Oklahoma, an applicant must have completed an approved teacher preparation program, earned a bachelor's degree, and passed certification examinations.

Professional development is not required for the renewal of a license.

In order to become a certified teacher in Oregon, an applicant must have completed an approved teacher preparation program from an accredited institution and pass required certification examinations.

In order to renew teaching licenses in Oregon, teachers must participate in professional development activities.

In order to obtain a Pennsylvania teaching license, an applicant must meet, but is not always limited to, the following requirements: must have at least a BA Degree, completed a Pennsylvania approved teacher education program, and received passing scores on the required assessments. All state licenses are accepted except IA, MN, MO, SD, and WI.

Educators in Pennsylvania must complete 180 hours of professional development in order to renew their license.

In order to be certified as a teacher, applicants must pass required exams, complete listed coursework, and be at least 18 years of age.

Professional development or contact hours are required for license renewal.

In order to become a certified teacher in Rhode Island, an applicant must complete an approved teacher education program at an accredited institution and earn passing scores on content examinations.

Certificate renewal in Rhode Island depends on previous educator evaluation scores.

In order to become a certified teacher in South Carolina, an applicant must hold a bachelor's degree from an institution with an approved teacher preparation program, pass required content examinations, and be at least 18 years old.

In South Carolina, professional development is required for teachers in order to renew their certificate.

In order to become a certified teacher in South Dakota, an applicant must hold a bachelor's degree, complete an approved teacher preparation program, and pass state certification examinations.

In order to renew a certificate, teachers must complete six credits of professional development.

In order to be certified as a teacher, applicants must hold a bachelor's degree, pass required examinations, and complete an approved teacher preparation program.

Professional development is required for teacher license renewal in Tennessee.

In order to become a certified teacher in Texas, an applicant must hold a bachelor's degree, complete an approved teacher preparation program, and pass a certification examination.

Professional education is required for teachers in order to renew their license.

In order to obtain a Utah teaching license, an applicant must meet, but is not always limited to, the following requirements: must have at least a BA Degree, completed a Utah teacher certification program, and received passing scores on the required assessments. All state licenses accepted except AK, IA, MN, MO, SD, WI, and WY.

A. An active educator license holder shall satisfy the final review and obtain the appropriate signatures regarding completion of the professional learning plan between January 1 and June 30 of the educator's assigned renewal year.
(1) A Level 2 or 3 educator license holder who has completed all additional requirements for renewal shall complete the online renewal provided by USOE between January 1 and June 30 of the educator's assigned renewal year.

In order to receive a certificate, applicants must hold a bachelor's degree from an accredited institution, show content knowledge, prove student teaching experience, and communicate effectively.

To renew the Level I endorsement(s) the educator must show:
1. Professional learning through completion of a minimum of three (3) credits or 45 hours in the endorsement area. At least one (1) credit or 15 hours must address the specific knowledge and performance standards of the endorsement(s) being renewed and must occur within the three (3) years preceding renewal of the Level I Educator License in each endorsement area.
2. If practicing in an endorsement area, documentation of a self-assessment in relation to the Core Teaching Standards and Progressions or the Core Leadership Standards.3) any required additional licenses or credentials specific to a particular endorsement.

The Virgin Islands Board of Education has the authority to establish standards for preparation programs.

Virginia State Board of Education has full authority over teacher licensure.

The Virginia State Board of Education has authority to set standards by which teacher preparation programs are approved.

The Washington Professional Educator Standards Board establishes policies and guidelines for educator certification.

The Washington professional educator standards board shall:
(1) Establish policies and practices for the approval of programs of courses, requirements, and other activities leading to educator certification including teacher, school administrator, and educational staff associate certification;
(3) Establish a list of accredited institutions of higher education of this and other states whose graduates may be awarded educator certificates as teacher, school administrator, and educational staff associate and establish criteria and enter into agreements with other states to acquire reciprocal approval of educator preparation programs and certification, including teacher certification from the national board for professional teaching standards;

The West Virginia State's Board of Education oversees teacher certification for the state.

The West Virginia Board of Education has control over teacher preparation program approval after consultation with the Chancellor of Higher Education.

The Wisconsin Department of Public Instruction oversees the teacher certification process.

The Wisconsin State Superintendent adopts the rules by which teacher preparation programs are assessed.

The Professional Teaching Standards Board oversees the Wyoming teacher certification process.

The Professional Teachers Standards Board requires all educators to have completed an approved teacher preparation program in order to become licensed to teach in a Wyoming school district.