Teacher Certification Requirements by State
Teacher certification requirements vary significantly from state to state. This comprehensive directory provides an overview of licensure requirements, accepted examinations, renewal policies, and key resources for each state. Click on your state for detailed information, or use the summary table below for quick reference.
Quick Reference: All 50 States
| State | Exam System | Alt. Cert. Available | Renewal Cycle | Min. Degree |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Alabama | Praxis | Yes | 5 years | Bachelor's |
| Alaska | Praxis | Yes | 5 years | Bachelor's |
| Arizona | AEPA/NES | Yes | 6 years | Bachelor's |
| Arkansas | Praxis | Yes | 5 years | Bachelor's |
| California | CBEST/CSET | Yes | 5 years | Bachelor's |
| Colorado | Praxis/PLACE | Yes | 5 years | Bachelor's |
| Connecticut | Praxis | Yes | 5 years | Bachelor's |
| Delaware | Praxis | Yes | 5 years | Bachelor's |
| Florida | FTCE | Yes | 5 years | Bachelor's |
| Georgia | GACE | Yes | 5 years | Bachelor's |
| Hawaii | Praxis | Yes | 5 years | Bachelor's |
| Idaho | Praxis | Yes | 5 years | Bachelor's |
| Illinois | ILTS | Yes | 5 years | Bachelor's |
| Indiana | CASA/CORE | Yes | 5 years | Bachelor's |
| Iowa | Praxis | Yes | 5 years | Bachelor's |
| Kansas | Praxis | Yes | 5 years | Bachelor's |
| Kentucky | Praxis | Yes | 5 years | Bachelor's |
| Louisiana | Praxis | Yes | 5 years | Bachelor's |
| Maine | Praxis | Yes | 5 years | Bachelor's |
| Maryland | Praxis | Yes | 5 years | Bachelor's |
| Massachusetts | MTEL | Yes | 5 years | Bachelor's |
| Michigan | MTTC | Yes | 5 years | Bachelor's |
| Minnesota | MTLE/NES | Yes | 5 years | Bachelor's |
| Mississippi | Praxis | Yes | 5 years | Bachelor's |
| Missouri | MoGEA/MoCA | Yes | 4 years | Bachelor's |
| Montana | Praxis | Limited | 5 years | Bachelor's |
| Nebraska | Praxis | Yes | 5 years | Bachelor's |
| Nevada | Praxis | Yes | 6 years | Bachelor's |
| New Hampshire | Praxis | Yes | 3 years | Bachelor's |
| New Jersey | Praxis | Yes | 5 years | Bachelor's |
| New Mexico | NES | Yes | 5 years | Bachelor's |
| New York | NYSTCE | Yes | 5 years (Prof.) | Bachelor's + Master's (Prof.) |
| North Carolina | Praxis | Yes | 5 years | Bachelor's |
| North Dakota | Praxis | Yes | 5 years | Bachelor's |
| Ohio | OAE | Yes | 5 years | Bachelor's |
| Oklahoma | OSAT/CEOE | Yes | 5 years | Bachelor's |
| Oregon | ORELA/NES | Yes | 5 years | Bachelor's |
| Pennsylvania | Praxis/PECT | Yes | 5 years (Act 48) | Bachelor's |
| Rhode Island | Praxis | Yes | 5 years | Bachelor's |
| South Carolina | Praxis | Yes | 5 years | Bachelor's |
| South Dakota | Praxis | Yes | 5 years | Bachelor's |
| Tennessee | Praxis | Yes | 6 years | Bachelor's |
| Texas | TExES | Yes | 5 years | Bachelor's |
| Utah | Praxis | Yes | 5 years | Bachelor's |
| Vermont | Praxis | Yes | 7 years | Bachelor's |
| Virginia | Praxis/VCLA | Yes | 5 years | Bachelor's |
| Washington | WEST/NES | Yes | 5 years | Bachelor's |
| West Virginia | Praxis | Yes | 5 years | Bachelor's |
| Wisconsin | Praxis | Yes | 5 years | Bachelor's |
| Wyoming | Praxis | Yes | 5 years | Bachelor's |
California
Overview
California has one of the most complex certification systems in the country, administered by the Commission on Teacher Credentialing (CTC). The state issues several types of credentials, including the Preliminary Credential, Clear Credential, and various specialized credentials.
Requirements for Initial (Preliminary) Credential
- Bachelor's degree from a regionally accredited institution
- Completion of a CTC-approved teacher preparation program
- Passing scores on the California Basic Educational Skills Test (CBEST) or equivalent
- Passing scores on the California Subject Examinations for Teachers (CSET) in your subject area
- Completion of a course in the U.S. Constitution
- CPR certification (infant, child, and adult)
- Certificate of Clearance (fingerprint/background check)
- Completion of a Teaching Performance Assessment (CalTPA or equivalent)
Credential Types
| Credential | Grade Level | Requirements |
|---|---|---|
| Multiple Subject | K–6 (self-contained) | CSET Multiple Subjects exam, general education preparation |
| Single Subject | 7–12 (departmentalized) | CSET in specific subject area, subject-matter competence |
| Education Specialist | K–12 (special ed) | Specialty area authorization (Mild/Moderate, Moderate/Severe, etc.) |
Alternative Certification in California
- Intern Credential: Allows candidates to teach while completing their preparation program. Requires pre-service coursework, passing CBEST and CSET, and district sponsorship.
- Short-Term Staff Permit: Emergency permit for districts unable to find credentialed teachers. Valid for 1 year.
- Provisional Internship Permit (PIP): For candidates who have not yet met all intern credential requirements.
Key Resources
Texas
Overview
Texas teacher certification is administered by the Texas Education Agency (TEA) through the State Board for Educator Certification (SBEC). Texas is one of the largest consumers of alternatively certified teachers in the nation, with over 40 approved alternative certification programs.
Requirements for Standard Certificate
- Bachelor's degree from an accredited institution
- Completion of a TEA-approved Educator Preparation Program (EPP)
- Passing scores on the TExES (Texas Examinations of Educator Standards) content exam
- Passing score on the Pedagogy and Professional Responsibilities (PPR) exam or edTPA
- Fingerprint-based criminal background check
- Application through the SBEC online system
Certificate Types
| Certificate | Description | Validity |
|---|---|---|
| Probationary | Issued during first year of teaching; requires mentor | 1 year |
| Standard | Full certification after completing all requirements | 5 years (renewable) |
| Intern | For candidates in alternative certification programs | 1 year (renewable once) |
| Emergency Permit | District-issued for critical shortage areas | 1 year |
Continuing Professional Education (CPE)
Texas requires 150 CPE hours per 5-year renewal cycle. Requirements include at least 80% of hours related to the educator's assignment, and at least 25% must be completed through an approved provider. All educators must also complete training in dyslexia identification, mental health awareness, and digital citizenship.
Key Resources
New York
Overview
New York has a tiered certification system administered by the New York State Education Department (NYSED). The state issues Initial and Professional Certificates, with the Professional Certificate requiring a master's degree.
Certificate Tiers
| Certificate | Requirements | Validity |
|---|---|---|
| Initial | Bachelor's degree, approved program, NYSTCE exams, edTPA, fingerprinting | 5 years |
| Professional | Initial certificate + master's degree + 3 years teaching + mentored experience | Continuous (with PD) |
| Conditional Initial | Out-of-state teachers meeting partial requirements | 2 years |
Required Examinations (NYSTCE)
- Educating All Students (EAS): Test of pedagogical skills for diverse learners
- Content Specialty Tests (CSTs): Subject-area content knowledge
- edTPA: Portfolio-based teaching performance assessment
- Students with Disabilities supplement: Required for all certificate areas
Professional Development Requirements
Holders of Professional Certificates must complete 100 hours of professional development every 5 years to maintain their certificates. Acceptable activities include university coursework, workshops, conferences, peer study groups, mentoring, and curriculum development projects. At least 15% of PD must relate to language acquisition strategies for English Language Learners.
Key Resources
Florida
Overview
Florida teacher certification is managed by the Florida Department of Education (FDOE), Bureau of Educator Certification. Florida offers both a Professional Certificate (5-year renewable) and a Temporary Certificate for educators who have not yet met all requirements.
Requirements for Professional Certificate
- Bachelor's degree from an accredited institution
- Completion of a state-approved teacher preparation program OR demonstration of mastery via the Professional Education Test
- Passing scores on the Florida Teacher Certification Examinations (FTCE):
- General Knowledge (GK) test — reading, English language skills, essay, mathematics
- Professional Education (PEd) test — pedagogy and professional practices
- Subject Area Examination (SAE) — content knowledge in your certification subject
- Fingerprint-based background screening
- Evidence of proficiency in teaching English Language Learners (ESOL requirement)
Florida's Alternative Certification
Florida offers the Educator Preparation Institute (EPI) pathway for career changers with bachelor's degrees in non-education fields. EPI programs provide condensed teacher preparation coursework and clinical experience. Additionally, Florida permits district-based alternative certification programs that allow candidates to teach on a Temporary Certificate while completing certification requirements.
Renewal Requirements
Professional Certificates must be renewed every 5 years. Renewal requires 120 in-service points (approximately 120 hours of professional development). At least one-third of points must relate to clinical education, subject content, or teaching methods. Educators must also complete a 2-hour child abuse and neglect prevention refresher and a mental health awareness module.
Illinois
Overview
Illinois uses the Educator Licensure Information System (ELIS) administered by the Illinois State Board of Education (ISBE). The state renamed its certification system from "certificates" to "licenses" in 2013 under Senate Bill 7.
License Types
| License | Description | Requirements |
|---|---|---|
| Professional Educator License (PEL) | Standard teaching license | Bachelor's, approved program, ILTS exams, edTPA |
| Educator License with Stipulations (ELS) | For alternative route candidates, paraprofessionals | Varies by endorsement |
| Substitute Teaching License | Short-term and day-to-day substituting | Bachelor's degree, background check |
Required Examinations (ILTS)
- Test of Academic Proficiency (TAP): Basic skills in reading, writing, mathematics, and language arts (or qualifying ACT/SAT scores as alternative)
- Content Area Tests: Subject-specific assessments for each endorsement area
- Assessment of Professional Teaching (APT): Pedagogical knowledge assessment
- edTPA: Performance-based assessment (required since 2015)
Renewal Requirements
Illinois PEL holders must complete 120 professional development hours per 5-year renewal cycle. Activities must address the Illinois Professional Teaching Standards and Illinois Content Area Standards. Educators in their first 4 years must participate in an induction and mentoring program.
Pennsylvania
Overview
Pennsylvania educator certification is administered by the Pennsylvania Department of Education (PDE) through the Teacher Information Management System (TIMS). Pennsylvania issues Instructional I and Instructional II certificates.
Certificate Levels
| Certificate | Requirements | Validity |
|---|---|---|
| Instructional I | Bachelor's, approved program, Praxis exams, background checks | 6 years (must convert to Instructional II) |
| Instructional II | Instructional I + 3 years experience + 24 post-baccalaureate credits (or master's + induction) | Permanent (with Act 48 PD) |
| Emergency Permit | District request when no certified candidate available | 1 year |
Act 48 Professional Development
Pennsylvania's Act 48 requires all certified educators to complete 180 hours of professional development or 6 college credits every 5 years. PD activities must be aligned to educator-specific goals and may include coursework, workshops, conferences, curriculum development, and approved online learning. Non-compliance results in certificate becoming "inactive."
Required Background Clearances
- Pennsylvania State Police Criminal Record Check
- Pennsylvania Child Abuse History Clearance
- FBI Federal Criminal History (fingerprint-based)
- Arrest/Conviction Report and Certification Form (PDE Form 6004)
Key Resources
Additional State Resources
For states not yet covered in detail above, consult the following official state education agency websites:
| Region | States | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Northeast | CT, ME, MA, NH, NJ, RI, VT | Most use Praxis; NY and MA have state-specific exams |
| Southeast | AL, AR, GA, KY, LA, MS, NC, SC, TN, VA, WV | Generally Praxis-based; GA uses GACE |
| Midwest | IA, IN, KS, MI, MN, MO, NE, ND, OH, SD, WI | Mix of Praxis and state-specific exams; OH uses OAE |
| Southwest | AZ, NM, OK, TX | TX uses TExES; AZ uses AEPA/NES; NM uses NES |
| West | AK, CO, HI, ID, MT, NV, OR, UT, WA, WY | Most use Praxis; WA uses WEST/NES |