Teacher Certification Center
Teacher Certification Requirements and Process by State
Select your state to learn about its specific teaching certification requirements and process:
One commonality among teachers is their job description – they must be patient, detail-oriented and excellent communicators. But there are big differences in how teachers earn their place in the classroom. Each of the 50 states has specific requirements for teacher certification, and they can be quite different. Some states provide alternative teacher certification options, while others do not. In addition, the testing requirements can vary widely. For example, in Texas, teacher certification is dependent on two tests that are unique to the state – the Texas Examinations of Educator Standards (TExES) and the Examination for the Certification of Educators in Texas (ExCET). In some cases, educators who hold out-of-state teaching certification are exempt from some testing requirements. And in other states, alternative teacher certification requirements include an online teaching certification option. It’s also important to note that there are many different types of teaching certificates. The National Center for Education Statistics reports that during the 2007-08 school year, about 89 percent of elementary school teachers held a regular teaching certificate, while 5 percent held a temporary certification. Two percent held an emergency certification (granted when a teacher has not had sufficient preparation and must complete a regular certification program to continue teaching) and less than one percent held no certification at all.
Because there are so many differences in the teacher certification process from state to state, Teacher Certification Degrees has compiled a detailed database of the teacher certification requirements in all 50 states. Here you’ll find out whether you must take a traditional track toward a teaching career, or if you can pursue alternative certification. You’ll also learn about the specific types of testing required in your respective state. After researching the teaching certification requirements, you may wish to explore our Teaching Degrees Center for more information on the type of degree you’ll need to begin your career, plus a comprehensive list of schools that offer the degree you’re looking for.
Page edited by Charles Sipe.
