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How to Become a Teacher in Las Vegas

Las Vegas is home to the Clark County School District (CCSD), the fifth-largest school district in the United States, which educates approximately 320,000 students.1 The district requires prospective teachers to possess a Nevada teaching certificate. To earn a teaching certificate in Nevada, you must possess a bachelor’s degree, complete a teacher preparation program, and pass the appropriate state exams. Private and charter schools in Las Vegas may have different hiring requirements and do not necessarily require teaching certification. Continue reading to learn more about teaching opportunities in Las Vegas.

Las Vegas Teacher Certification Requirements

All teachers must be certified to work in public schools in the Clark County School District. Initial certification requires teachers to hold a bachelor’s degree, complete an approved teacher preparation program, and sit for the appropriate certification exams, including the Praxis Core or CBEST exam and any required subject-specific Praxis assessments. The traditional way to earning certification is by completing a bachelor’s degree with an educator component included. To learn more about teacher certification in Nevada, visit our Nevada teacher certification page.

Candidates who have not completed teacher preparation but have completed a bachelor’s degree can opt for the alternate path to certification. The alternate path allows candidates to teach in the classroom while completing the necessary educational requirements for certification. Clark County School District has its own alternative program for several subjects and age ranges known as Alternative Routes to Licensure. More information about the alternative route can be found on our Nevada alternative teacher certification page.

Teacher Certification Programs in Las Vegas

The colleges and universities listed below offer teacher preparation programs in the Las Vegas area that can prepare you for first-time licensure or, if you are already certified, for additional endorsements. You can also read more about teacher certification programs in the state on our Nevada schools page.

  • College of Southern Nevada
  • Nevada State College
  • University of Nevada-Las Vegas
  • Sierra Nevada College


Las Vegas School District Steps for Becoming a Teacher

To work as a teacher in the Clark County School District, which serves Las Vegas, you will need a teaching certificate. You can either complete a traditional bachelor’s degree program with an educator preparation component or complete an alternative educator program if you already have a bachelor’s degree. See the certification section for more information on these options. Once you have obtained your teaching certificate, you can apply to jobs following these steps:

Step 1: Complete the online application.

The online application requires you to create a profile, which must include three professional references. You can then apply to open jobs or contact the district’s human resources to help you find a suitable position.

Step 2: Be interviewed by a school leader or panel.

Qualified candidates may be invited to an in-person interview in a Las Vegas school. You may be asked to bring supplemental documents, such as sample lesson plans, to demonstrate your experience.

Step 3: Complete the hiring process.

New hires will be required to provide the Clark County School District with official transcripts, three professional references, evidence of a tuberculosis test, and fingerprints for a background check. Other requirements will be discussed at the time of hiring.

Contact Information

Clark County School District
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/ClarkCountySchoolDistrict
Twitter: https://twitter.com/ClarkCountySch

5100 W Sahara Ave
Las Vegas, NV 89146
(702) 799-5000
https://www.ccsd.net

How to Become a Substitute Teacher with the Las Vegas School District

Substitute teachers (also known as guest teachers in the Clark County School District) must have a high school diploma and have completed a minimum of 60 college credits. Interested substitute teachers must fill out an online application and apply for the substitute job pool. The initial screening will consist of reference and credential checks, including copies of your official college transcripts and high school diploma. You will then be invited to an interview before your application is officially accepted.

Private and Charter School Teacher Requirements in Las Vegas

Private and charter schools in Las Vegas may have different requirements for prospective teachers than those of the Clark County School District. Nevada state law does not require charter or private schools to hire certified teachers, which is a requirement for public schools; therefore other criteria besides certification may enable you to work in these types of schools. However, many non-public schools prefer to hire candidates who hold Nevada teacher certification in addition to other qualifications.

The Largest K-12 Schools in Las Vegas

We compiled the below table comparing the largest public, private, and charter schools in Las Vegas to help you find schools that may be hiring qualified teachers in the metro area.

SchoolTypeGrade Level# StudentsStudent-Teacher
Ratio
Henry & Evelyn Bozarth Elementary SchoolPublicPK-51,01820:1
Bertha Ronzone Elementary SchoolPublicPK-589418:1
Elaine Wynn Elementary SchoolPublicPK-588517:1
Sig Rogich Middle SchoolPublic6-81,82829:1
Justice Myron E. Leavitt Middle SchoolPublic6-81,63826:1
Anthony Saville Middle SchoolPublic6-81,63729:1
Rancho High SchoolPublic9-123,27824:1
Ed W. Clark High SchoolPublic9-123,23124:1
Palo Verde High SchoolPublic9-123,21627:1
Odyssey Charter High SchoolCharter9-121,36543:1
Equipo AcademyCharter6-1275936:1
Democracy Prep at the Agassi CampusCharter6-12663—
The Meadows SchoolPrivatePK-128659:1
The Adelson Educational CampusPrivatePK-125539:1
Mountain View Christian SchoolPrivatePK-1231011:1

See Table Notes and References at bottom of page.

Las Vegas Teacher Salary and Jobs Outlook

According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, teachers in the Las Vegas-Henderson-Paradise area earn similar average salaries compared to statewide averages, although these averages are below national average salaries.2-4 Kindergarten teachers in Las Vegas earn an average of $54,940, elementary school teachers an average of $56,020, middle school teachers an average of $57,960, and secondary school teachers an average of $56,870.2 National averages for these occupations were between $58,370 and $64,340 during the same time period.4

Teaching positions in Las Vegas are projected to grow at a fast pace through 2026.5 Growth of 23% is expected for kindergarten, elementary, middle, and secondary school teachers, excluding career and technical and special education.5 Special education job growth at most grade levels is expected to be slightly lower, at about 22% during this timeframe.5

Las Vegas Teacher Shortage Areas

The US Department of Education bases some student loan forgiveness programs on teacher shortage areas, meaning that your chances of qualifying for loan forgiveness may be stronger if you are teaching a subject that has been formally identified as a shortage area. You may also qualify for other funding opportunities or a more competitive salary based on your endorsement(s). Note that shortage areas may change from year to year, so you should be sure to check with state education agencies, your selected education program, and your student loan providers about funding options. For the 2020-2021 school year, most core subjects had a teacher shortage in one or more grade levels in Nevada, including:6

  • Early Childhood Education (K-2)
  • Elementary Education (PreK-5)
  • English as a Second Language (PreK-12)
  • Mathematics (6-12)
  • Special Education (PreK-12)

Las Vegas Teaching Jobs Boards

Check online job boards for job openings in public, private, and charter schools in Las Vegas. Many schools post openings throughout the year so be sure to check often.