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Nevada Teacher Certification and Career Guide

The Nevada Department of Education (NDE) oversees the teacher certification process, which is outlined below for those seeking information on how to become a teacher in Nevada. The main steps for the traditional path to teacher certification in Nevada are:

  1. Complete a bachelor’s degree with a state-approved teacher preparation component.
  2. Complete a student teaching placement.
  3. Pass the required teacher certification exams.
  4. Apply for a teaching certificate or license.
  5. Upgrade your license, if desired.

Continue reading to learn more about the traditional certification pathway in Nevada.

Table of Contents


How to Become a Teacher in Nevada

This section outlines the steps to become a certified teacher in Nevada via the traditional pathway. Nevada has a tiered license structure:

  • Provisional License (3-year): For prospective educators who have deficiencies in coursework or testing but are otherwise qualified for Nevada licensure.
  • Standard License (5-year): For new teachers who have met all requirements for licensure.
  • Professional License (6-10-year): For teachers with a master’s or higher degree or National Board Certification from the National Board for Professional Teaching Standards (NBPTS).

Those who have a bachelor’s degree or higher degree but have not completed a teacher preparation program may be eligible for alternative teacher certification in Nevada.

1. Earn a bachelor’s degree that includes an approved teacher preparation program.

Prospective Nevada teachers must complete a bachelor’s degree from an accredited institution. The bachelor’s degree major you pursue will depend on the grade level and subject you wish to teach. You must also complete an approved teacher preparation program as part of your bachelor’s degree. A list of approved teacher preparation programs can be found on the NDE’s website.

You can compare key metrics for state-approved teacher preparation programs on our Nevada schools page. You can also read about two important accreditations to consider, institutional accreditation and programmatic accreditation, on our teaching schools guide.

2. Complete a student teaching placement.

As part of your program, you will also complete a supervised student teaching placement, sometimes called an internship. This is typically a full-time, semester-long placement during which you will have opportunities to lead a classroom while paired with an experienced teacher. Nevada requires at least eight semester credits of supervised student teaching. To meet the requirements for state certification, the student teaching placement should be at the grade level and in the subject you wish to teach. Some programs may offer longer student teaching placements or the opportunity to pursue multiple placements.

3. Pass the required Nevada teacher exams.

Nevada State SealInitial teacher candidates in Nevada must complete the state’s competency testing requirements. Competency testing is completed through the Praxis Series administered by Educational Testing Service (ETS). All candidates must take the Praxis Core Academic Skills for Educators. They must also take the Principles of Learning and Teaching (PLT) exam and the Praxis Subject Assessment corresponding to the grade levels and endorsement areas sought. For more information, refer to the ETS website.

4. Apply for Nevada teacher certification.

Candidates who meet the above requirements qualify for a Standard License. They should include:

  • Self-Disclosure
  • Official transcripts
  • Copies of Government-issued picture ID
  • Fingerprints for criminal background check
  • Test scores
  • Payment of non-refundable application fee

Candidates can apply by creating an Online Processing for Application for Licensure (OPAL) account.

5. Upgrade your license, if desired.

Educators with at least three years of full-time teaching experience who have earned a master’s degree or higher or National Board Certification from the NBPTS can upgrade to a Professional License. They can apply through their OPAL account.

Guide to Other Teaching Pathways

Nevada Teacher Certification Renewal

Teachers in Nevada can renew their Standard or Professional License up to nine months before the expiration date of their current license through the OPAL licensure system. Provisional Licenses are not renewable. Standard Licenses are good for five years and Professional Licenses are good for six to 10 years depending on the degree attained. Teachers must have at least 15 hours of professional development each calendar year. For more information on renewing a teaching license, review the NDE website.

Adding Subjects or Grades to a Certificate

Once you receive your teaching certificate, you will only be eligible to work as a teacher in the grade levels and certification areas listed on your certificate, though occasional, temporary exceptions are made. To add a new field of endorsement, you must take the required coursework in the subject area sought and competency testing if required. You can find more information about endorsements on the NDE website.

Nevada Teaching License Reciprocity

Teachers licensed with current, valid licenses can apply to become teachers in Nevada through reciprocity. In most cases, reciprocal licensure will waive the testing requirements. Teachers must register for an online profile through OPAL and submit:

  • Original transcripts
  • Valid copy of all current licenses
  • Self-Disclosure
  • Test scores within the last five years
  • Copies of Government-issued picture ID
  • Fingerprints for criminal background check
  • Test scores
  • Payment of non-refundable application fee

Learn more about reciprocity in Nevada on the Out-of-State Applicants page.

In addition to teaching licenses, the NDE also offers licenses for support professionals and administrators. Some of these include:

  • School Administrator License: Requires a master’s degree or higher, five years of teaching experience, and at least 36 semester hours of specific graduate courses in the administration of a school.
  • School Nurse License: Requires a bachelor’s degree in nursing and the completion of an educational program that grants postgraduate certificates in school nursing from an accredited school .
  • Speech and Language Pathologist License: Requires the completion of an approved speech and language teaching preparation program, a certificate of clinical competence in speech, or a bachelor’s degree in speech and language impairments with specific coursework.

The NDE also offers special licenses for library media specialists and reading specialists as well as licensed personnel such as school counselors, school psychologists, and school social workers. Read more about these licenses on the Educator Licensure page.

Nevada Teacher Outlook, Salary, and Jobs

Projected Job Growth

5.75%

Growth in Teaching Jobs in NV through 20322*

There were 708 public K-12 schools in Nevada during the 2017-2018 academic year, serving approximately 485,785 students.3 With an estimated 23,708 public school teachers, Nevada has a student-to-teacher ratio of 20:1.3

Job prospects through 2032 are much stronger in Nevada than the expected national averages, with job growth for Nevada elementary teachers projected at 5.6% compared to 0.7% nationally; for Nevada middle school teachers, 5.6% compared to 0.8% nationally; and for Nevada secondary school teachers, 6.1% compared to 1% nationally.2

The table below provides a detailed comparison of job growth prospects and salary levels for Nevada teachers.

TypeNumber Employed in NV4Average Annual Openings in NV2NV Proj. Job Growth 2022-20322Average Annual Salary in NV425th Percentile Wages in NV575th Percentile Wages in NV5
Preschool Teachers2,4503208.5%$37,730$28,860$37,860
Preschool Teachers, Special Education———$62,060$48,730$60,130
Kindergarten Teachers1,0501306%$62,520$52,890$79,390
Elementary School Teachers9,0308205.6%$62,720$52,850$77,240
Kindergarten and Elementary School Teachers, Special Education490904.6%$66,350$50,190$81,590
Middle School Teachers3,0903405.6%$71,170$52,660$79,930
Middle School Teachers, Special Education270——$51,900$40,830$63,510
Middle School Teachers, Career/Technical Education——————
Secondary School Teachers7,9904106.1%$67,570$52,720$79,960
Secondary School Teachers, Special Education270——$67,530$51,510$82,720
Secondary School Teachers, Career/Technical Education130105.3%$63,930$52,880$78,470

*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 Nevada

According to the US Department of Education Teacher Shortage Area report for 2022-2023, Nevada broadly has the following shortages:

In addition to these shortages, Nevada had 1,517 unfilled positions during the 2022-2023 school year.7 During the 2021-2022 school year, 3,706 teachers in Nevada were considered underqualified for their assignment, which includes teachers assigned to classrooms outside their certification field on a temporary or emergency basis.7

Nevada School District Requirements

If you want to learn how to become a teacher in Las Vegas, you should read more on our Las Vegas city page. Here you will find the step-by-step process for becoming a teacher in Las Vegas, a list of area private and charter schools, and Las Vegas school district contact information.

Additional Resources

Related Articles

Teacher Quote: “There are going to be some rough days, but never doubt the impact you have on a child’s life. You might be the only positive thing they experience that day. You will forever leave an imprint on each little soul. That is a huge and wonderful responsibility.” -Alicia Lochridge, Nevada First Grade Teacher

Frequently Asked Questions

Question: What are the requirements to become a high school teacher in Nevada?

Answer: To become a high school teacher in Nevada, you must have a Secondary or High School License from the NDE. The requirements for the license include holding a bachelor’s degree and completing a teacher preparation program in secondary education. Candidates must also meet the requirements for at least one major field of endorsement, which includes specific coursework in the subject. Candidates must also pass the required exams and a criminal background check.

Question: How do I become a substitute teacher in Nevada?

Answer: Nevada offers substitute teachers with a minimum of 60 college credits or an associate degree a Substitute Teaching License. It also offers an Emergency Substitute Teaching License for school districts that qualify and present a written request, which requires a minimum of a high school diploma or GED.

Question: How many private schools and private school teachers are there in Nevada?

Answer: According to the latest statistics available, as of the 2019-20 school year, there were 130 private schools in Nevada, with 1,776 full-time teachers and 20,626 students.8 Nevada law requires private schools to be licensed. All teachers at licensed private schools must hold a teacher’s license with at least a bachelor’s degree and three years of verified full-time or supervised experience at their grade level or a master’s degree and one year of verified full-time or supervised experience at their grade level. Check with private schools in your area to confirm requirements.

References:
1. Nevada State Department of Education: hhttps://doe.nv.gov/
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 2023 Occupational Employment and Wage Estimates, Nevada: https://www.bls.gov/oes/current/oes_nv.htm
5. Bureau of Labor Statistics, May 2023 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