Rhode Island Teacher Certification and Career Guide
To earn teacher certification in Rhode Island, candidates must meet the requirements set by the Rhode Island Department of Education (RIDE). The main steps for the traditional path to teacher certification in Rhode Island are:
- Complete a state-approved bachelor’s degree with a teacher preparation component.
- Complete a student teaching placement.
- Pass the required teacher certification exams.
- Apply for an initial teaching certificate.
- Upgrade your certificate.
Continue reading to learn more about the traditional certification pathway in Rhode Island.
Table of Contents
- Steps to Become a Teacher in Rhode Island
- Teacher Certification Renewal
- Adding Subjects or Grades to a Certificate
- Teaching License Reciprocity
- Related Licenses
- Teacher Outlook, Salary, and Jobs
- Additional Resources
- Frequently Asked Questions
How to Become a Teacher in Rhode Island
This section outlines the steps needed to become a certified teacher in Rhode Island via the traditional route. Rhode Island uses a tiered system for teacher certification:
- Initial Certificate (3-Year): For new teachers who have met all of the requirements for teacher certification.
- Professional Certificate (5-Year): For existing teachers who have worked under an Initial Certificate for at least three years and completed 75 professional learning units (PLUs). Beginning in 2025, the PLUs required will increase to 90.
- Advanced Certificate (7-Year): For existing teachers who have worked under a Professional Certificate for at least five years, have completed the required PLUs, and have proof of achieving an aspirational benchmark (advanced degree, NBPTS certification, RIDE or national recognition award, etc.).
If you are a bachelor’s degree holder who has yet to complete a teacher preparation program, check out our guide to alternative teacher certification in Rhode Island.
1. Earn a bachelor’s degree that includes an approved teacher preparation program.
All Rhode Island teacher candidates must obtain a bachelor’s degree from an accredited college or university. Prospective teachers will also complete a teacher preparation program as part of their bachelor’s degree. All educator preparation programs must be approved by RIDE. You can compare key metrics for state-approved teacher preparation programs on our Rhode Island schools page. You can also read about two important accreditations to consider, institutional accreditation and programmatic accreditation, on our teaching schools guide. The bachelor’s degree major you pursue will depend on the grade level and subject you wish to teach.
2. Complete a student teaching placement.
Rhode Island requires prospective teachers to complete 60 hours of field experience and at least 12 weeks of student teaching. This is usually a full-time, semester-long placement where future teachers will lead a classroom under the guidance of a certified teacher. To meet the requirements for initial certification, the student teaching placement should be at the same grade level and subject candidates intend to teach.
3. Pass the required Rhode Island teacher exams.
Rhode Island requires that all teachers pass the Praxis Subject exams related to their area and level of teaching to become certified. Praxis exams are administered by ETS. The RIDE teacher certification website provides a complete list of the Praxis tests and passing scores available for each certificate area.
4. Apply for Rhode Island teacher certification.
Once all of the above steps are completed, candidates can apply for their Initial Certificate. Certificate applications, supporting documents, and application fees can be submitted through the RIDE online portal. The required documents include:
- General educator application
- Official transcripts
- Proof of state-approved teacher preparation program
- Praxis exam scores
- Application fee
Visit the RIDE website for further details on Rhode Island teacher certification.
5. Upgrade to a Professional Certificate.
Teachers can upgrade to a Professional Certificate when they have accumulated the required PLUs (75 for 2024 and 90 starting in 2025). The Professional Certificate is valid for five years. Professional certificate holders can qualify for an Advanced Certificate with five years of experience 75 PLUs (90 starting in 2025), and achievement of one of the following aspirational benchmarks:
- National Board Certification in teaching area
- An advanced degree in the subject area taught
- RIDE or national recognition as a Milken Educator, State Teacher of the Year, or Presidential Award Winner for Math and Science
- Certificate of completion of NISL Executive Development Program or serves as NISL Facilitator or NISL Content Facilitator
- Additional RIDE certification in a limited number of RIDE-identified shortage areas
Teachers with an Advanced Certificate can revert to a Professional Certificate if they no longer meet the aspirational benchmark requirement at the time of renewal.
- I want to be a teacher and have a degree, but not in education: Learn about Rhode Island’s Alternative Certification Process and Programs
- I have a teaching degree and am interested in graduate education: Learn about Master’s Degree Education Programs, Education Specialist Programs, or Doctorate Education Programs
- I want to explore substitute teaching: Learn about Substitute Teacher Opportunities
Rhode Island Teacher Certification Renewal
- Initial, Professional, and Advanced Certificates can all be renewed by completing the required number of professional learning units (PLUs). The requirements for certificate renewal are as follows:
- Initial Certificate (3-Year): 25 PLUs per year, totaling 75 PLUs over the certificate term. Starting in 2025, 30 PLUs per year, totaling 90 PLUs over the certificate term
- Professional Certificate (5-Year): 15 PLUs per year, totaling 75 PLUs over the certificate term. This will move to 20 PLUs by 2030, totaling 100 PLUs over the certificate term.
- Advanced Certificate (7-Year): 15 PLUs per year, totaling 75 PLUs over the certificate term. Proof of completion of an aspirational benchmark. This will move to 20 PLUs by 2030, totaling 100 PLUs over the certificate term.
Certificates can be renewed through the RIDE online portal, which will notify teachers when they are eligible to renew. Additional details on the renewal process are available on the RIDE certification and renewal webpage.
Adding Subjects or Grades to a Certificate
In general, teachers can only work in the grade and subject area they are certified in, although occasional, temporary exceptions are made. In order to add a subject or grade to a current Rhode Island teaching certificate, applicants will need to complete the required Praxis exams related to that subject area. Passing test scores, the general application, and the non-refundable fee can be submitted through the RIDE online portal. A complete list of the required Praxis Subject Exams required for each teaching area is available on the RIDE website.
Rhode Island Teaching License Reciprocity
Out-of-state teachers seeking Rhode Island certification are eligible for reciprocity through RIDE. Rhode Island has three pathways for reciprocity leading to Rhode Island certification.
Inter-State Flexibility
Rhode Island has an Inter-State Flexibility agreement with 16 states. Teachers with a valid license from one of these states are exempt from completing additional testing or experience requirements and can apply for a Rhode Island certificate through the RIDE portal by submitting:
- Out-of-state teaching credential
- Application fee
- Official transcripts
- Proof of equivalent teacher preparation program
Out-of-State Preparation Program Completer or Out-of-State Certificate Holder
Applicants who have completed a state-approved educator preparation program leading to comparable certification in Rhode Island and/or who hold a valid, current, full, out-of-state certificate from a state outside the Inter-State Flexibility agreement that aligns to a specific Rhode Island certificate will need to submit the same documentation as above. In addition, they will need to complete the required Praxis exams before submitting their application. A Temporary Initial Educator Certificate is available to applicants who are seeking certification through reciprocity but have not yet met the Rhode Island testing requirements.
Additional details on the reciprocity options in Rhode Island can be found on the RIDE educator certification webpage. You can learn more about transferring a teaching certificate or license between states on our guide to certification reciprocity.
Related Education Licenses
In addition to classroom teachers, the RIDE manages certificates and endorsements for a variety of support positions in Rhode Island schools. Support professional certificates include:
- School Counselor Certificate: School counselors can work with students of all ages in public schools. They must hold an advanced degree meeting the content competencies prescribed by the Council for the Accreditation of Counseling and Related Education Programs (CACREP), pass the Praxis school counselor exam, and complete a 300-hour internship to obtain their RI certification.
- School Social Worker Certificate: The School Social Worker Certificate allows candidates to work as school social workers in Rhode Island public schools. Social workers must have a master’s degree in social work meeting the content competencies set by the National Association of Social Workers (NASW) and be licensed as Clinical Social Workers by the RI Board of Registration for Social Workers.
- Speech & Language Pathologist Certificate: Rhode Island speech and language pathologists can work in grades PK-12 in the Rhode Island public school system. To earn a Speech & Language Pathologist Certificate, applicants must have an advanced degree in speech and language pathology meeting the content competencies required by the American Speech-Language-Hearing Association (ASHA) and pass the Praxis speech and language pathologist exam.
All of Rhode Island’s support professional certificates are considered advanced certifications. They require the holder to have an advanced degree and either complete a teacher preparation program or demonstrate industry-specific content competencies. Additional certifications are available for registered school nurses and school psychologists.
Rhode Island also offers dependent certificates for a number of staff support roles, including Math Specialist/Consultant, English to Speakers of Other Languages Specialist/Consultant, and Instructional Leader. These certificates require the candidate to have full Rhode Island teaching certification before applying. For more information on related education certificates, visit the RIDE website.
Rhode Island Teacher Outlook, Salary, and Jobs
Projected Job Growth
5.6%
Growth in Teaching Jobs in RI through 20302*
Rhode Island had 317 public schools during the 2017-2018 school year, providing for an estimated 142,949 students.3 Based on an estimated 10,687 teachers during the same time period, Rhode Island had a student-to-teacher ratio of just over 13:1.3 The National Educator Association-Rhode Island (NEA-RI), an affiliate of the National Education Association (NEA), provides Rhode Island policy updates and local employment opportunities.
Overall, job growth for educators in Rhode Island is expected to be significantly lower than national growth. Job growth for Rhode Island elementary teachers is projected at 4.7% compared to 7.4% nationally; for Rhode Island middle school teachers, 5.3% compared to 13.1% nationally; and for Rhode Island secondary school teachers, 5.1% compared to 13.7% nationally.2
| Type | Number Employed in RI4 | Average Annual Openings in RI2 | RI Proj. Job Growth 2020-20302 | Average Annual Salary in RI4 | 25th Percentile Wages in RI5 | 75th Percentile Wages in RI5 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Preschool Teachers | 1,390 | 160 | 18.4% | — | — | — |
| Preschool Teachers, Special Education | 100 | — | — | $64,000 | $31,780 | $84,640 |
| Kindergarten Teachers | 350 | 30 | 7.1% | $78,440 | $72,930 | $89,670 |
| Elementary School Teachers | 4,490 | 300 | 4.7% | $72,720 | $60,410 | $87,070 |
| Kindergarten and Elementary School Teachers, Special Education | 880 | 40 | 4.3% | $71,310 | $60,400 | $85,790 |
| Middle School Teachers | 2,440 | 120 | 5.3% | $75,280 | $61,220 | $89,430 |
| Middle School Teachers, Special Education | 340 | 20 | 5% | $79,960 | $79,500 | $89,790 |
| Middle School Teachers, Career/Technical Education | — | — | — | — | — | — |
| Secondary School Teachers | 5,140 | 310 | 5.1% | $74,640 | $61,290 | $85,770 |
| Secondary School Teachers, Special Education | 660 | 30 | 5% | $78,160 | $64,400 | $89,320 |
| Secondary School Teachers, Career/Technical Education | 230 | 10 | 0% | $76,750 | $62,760 | $88,250 |
*The estimated job growth average is based on projections for mainstream kindergarten, elementary, middle, and high school teachers. Projections for other categories, such as special education and career and technical education, may be higher or lower than the average.
Teacher Shortages in Rhode Island
Rhode Island has reported a number of teacher shortages across its public schools for the 2023-2024 school year. According to the US Department of Education, Rhode Island has shortages in the following areas:
- Art, Pre-K-12
- Bilingual Education, Pre-K-12
- Biological Sciences, 7-12
- Business Education, 7-12
- English as a Second Language, Pre-K-12
- Health Science, Pre-K-12
- Library/Media Specialist, Pre-K-12
- Mathematics, 5-8
- Mathematics, 7-12
- Physical Education, Pre-K-12
- Science, 5-8
- Special Education, 5-12
- Special Education – Early Childhood, Pre-K-2
- Special Education – Elementary Special Educator, 1-6
- Special Education – Severely and Profoundly Handicapped, Pre-K-12
- World Languages, Pre-K-126
In addition to the above shortages, recent research has shown approximately 435 unfilled positions during the 2022-2023 school year.7 During the 2021-2022 school year, nearly 700 teachers were reportedly underqualified for their position, including those teachers assigned to a classroom outside their certification area on a temporary or emergency basis.7
Additional Resources
- ETS Rhode Island Praxis Exam Requirements: List of the various Praxis Core and Subject exams required for each of Rhode Island’s certificates.
- General Educator Application: Rhode Island’s standard application for elementary and secondary teachers. This application is used for regular teaching certificates, adding certification areas, and reciprocity certificates.
- National Education Association Rhode Island (NEARI): Rhode Island branch of the National Education Association providing current news, job opportunities, and legal considerations for Rhode Island teachers.
- Rhode Island Approved Programs: List of state-approved educator preparation programs, including the approved certification areas for each.
- Rhode Island Paths to Certification: Quick links to the various pathways to obtaining full certification in Rhode Island, including credential review, reciprocity, and preliminary certification guidelines.
- RIDE Online Portal: Online application portal for the Rhode Island Department of Education (RIDE). This portal allows teachers to apply for initial certification, add a certificate, and renew a certificate.
Rhode Island Teacher Interviews- Third Grade Teacher, Krista Wallden
- Former President, Rhode Island State Education Association, Frederika Jenner
Related Articles
- Alternative Teacher Certification in Rhode Island
- Guide to Funding Your Teaching Degree
- Overview of the Bachelor’s in Education
- Rhode Island Schools Guide
- Top Online Master’s Programs for Initial Certification
Frequently Asked Questions
Question: How do I become a substitute teacher in Rhode Island?
Answer: Rhode Island does not have a certificate for substitute teachers. To meet statewide standards, day-to-day substitute teachers who are employed on a temporary basis for fewer than 45 days must have an associate degree, a bachelor’s degree, or at least two years of completion of a four-year degree to be eligible to substitute teach in Rhode Island. Long-term subs (those employed for more than 45 consecutive days in the same assignment) must be certified to teach in their area.
Question: How many teachers are employed by private schools in Rhode Island?
Answer: As of the 2019-2020 school year, there were 112 private schools in Rhode Island.8 These schools employed just over 1,800 full-time teachers.8 While private school teachers in Rhode Island do not have to hold a current teaching certification, they must have a bachelor’s degree, pass a background check, and be able to prove competency in their subject area.
References:
1. Rhode Island Department of Education: https://ride.ri.gov/teachers-administrators/educator-certification
2. Projections Central, Long Term Occupational Projections: https://projectionscentral.org/Projections/LongTerm
3. National Center for Education Statistics, State Nonfiscal Public Elementary/Secondary Education Survey Data, 2017-2018: https://nces.ed.gov/ccd/stnfis.asp
4. Bureau of Labor Statistics, May 2022 Occupational Employment and Wage Estimates, Rhode Island: https://www.bls.gov/oes/current/oes_ri.htm
5. Bureau of Labor Statistics, May 2022 National Occupational Employment and Wage Estimates: https://www.bls.gov/oes/current/oes_nat.htm
6. US Department of Education, Teacher Shortage Areas: https://tsa.ed.gov/#/reports
7. Teacher Shortages in the United States, Tuan D. Nguyen et al.: https://teachershortages.com/
8. National Center for Education Statistics, Private School Universe Survey, 2019-20: https://nces.ed.gov/surveys/pss/tables/TABLE15fl1920.asp