The Nevada Teaching and Certification Resource

The requirements for Nevada teacher certification are similar to other states. The Nevada Department of Education oversees the teacher certification process, which is outlined below for those seeking information on how to become a teacher in Nevada.

How to Become a Teacher in Nevada

Those who wish to teach in Nevada must first complete the state’s requirements for Nevada teacher certification. These requirements include the completion of a bachelor’s degree from a regionally accredited institution and the completion of a teacher preparation program. Candidates must also pass the Praxis Core Academic Skills for Educators, Principles of Learning and Teaching, and content-area exam(s) for the subject(s) to be taught.

Candidates who meet the above requirements qualify for a Standard teaching license in the state of Nevada. Those who have met the bachelor’s degree requirement or hold a higher degree but did not complete a teacher preparation program may be eligible for alternative teacher certification in Nevada.

Finding Approved Teacher Education Programs in Nevada

Perhaps the most important step to becoming a teacher in Nevada is completing a bachelor’s degree and teacher preparation program at an accredited school. Applicants who are in the process of evaluating schools should confirm that the chosen program is in good standing with a regional accrediting agency recognized by the US Department of Education. Prospective teachers who are considering an online or out-of-state teacher certification program should also confirm that the institution is accredited by its corresponding regional accreditation agency. You can compare key metrics for state-approved teacher preparation programs in Nevada by using the sortable table on our Nevada schools page.

Additionally, schools may hold accreditation from the Council for the Accreditation of Educator Preparation (CAEP). CAEP accreditation is viewed as a mark of high standards for teacher preparation programs in the US.

Nevada Teacher Education Requirements

As described above, the traditional route to Nevada educator licensure includes completion of a bachelor’s degree and teacher preparation program at a regionally accredited college or university. Specific coursework is also required, including at least three semester hours of credit in education for students with disabilities and at least three semester hours of credit in parental involvement and family engagement. These courses are typically included in a Nevada-approved teacher education program. Those who studied out-of-state or online may need to take these courses within Nevada prior to becoming eligible for licensure.

Nevada Teacher Testing Requirements

Those seeking initial teacher certification in Nevada must complete the state’s testing requirements. Competency testing is completed through the Praxis Series administered by the Educational Testing Service. Candidates must take the Praxis Core Academic Skills for Educators and the Principles of Learning and Teaching exams that are appropriate for the grade levels to be taught. Praxis Subject Assessments must also be completed for all endorsement areas sought.

Additional Nevada Teacher Certification Requirements

Candidates for Nevada teacher licensing must be citizens or lawful permanent residents of the US. In addition, those pursuing Nevada teacher certification must submit to a background check by the FBI and the Central Repository for Nevada Records of Criminal History. Applicants must submit two completed Form FD-258 fingerprint cards and a Nevada fingerprint authorization form along with the completed teacher application. In-state residents may also complete fingerprinting through LiveScan.

Nevada Teachers Licensing Application Process

Once all steps towards a teacher certification in Nevada have been completed, candidates must apply for a license. The following documents are required:

• Application for the chosen licensure category.
• Official transcripts for all post-secondary institutions attended, including verification of completion of a teacher preparation program.
• Completed Form FD-258 (REV 5-11-99) fingerprint cards or electronic LiveScan receipt.
• Payment of non-refundable application fee.
• Verification of required competency testing score reports.

Visit the state’s Department of Education for further details on Nevada teacher certification.

Nevada Teacher Outlook, Salary, and Jobs

There were 663 public K-12 schools in Nevada during the 2016-2017 academic year, serving approximately 473,745 students.³ With an estimated 23,704 public school teachers, this gave Nevada a student-to-teacher ratio of 19:1.³

Projections call for 1,010 average annual job openings for elementary school teachers, 430 average annual openings for middle school teachers, and 570 average annual openings for secondary school teachers in Nevada from 2016 to 2026.² Nevada elementary school teachers earn an average annual salary of $56,970, while middle school teachers in the state earn an average of $58,460 and secondary school teachers an average of $57,910.⁴ For more information regarding certification and the current Nevada teaching job market, visit the Nevada State Education Association.

Data from the Bureau of Labor Statistics as of May 2018.⁴
*Data as of 2015.⁴

Teacher Shortages in Nevada

According to the US Department of Education Teacher Shortage Area report for 2021-2022, Nevada broadly has the following shortages⁵:

• Art and Music Education (Art), Pre-K-12
• Core Subjects (Combined Classroom), Pre-K-12
• Core Subjects (Elementary Education), 1-5
• Early Childhood (General Curriculum/Early Childhood), Pre-K-K
• English as a Second Language (General), Pre-K-12
• Language Arts (English), 6-12
• Mathematics (General), 6-12
• Science (Biological Sciences), 9-12
• Science (General Science), 6-8
• Science (Physical Science), 6-12
• Special Education (Adaptive Physical Education; Autism Spectrum Disorder; Cognitive Disabilities; Emotional Disabilities; General Curriculum; Hearing Impairment; Life Skills; Multi-Categorical; Speech and Language Impairment; Visual Impairment), Pre-K-12
• Special Education (Early Childhood), Pre-K-3
• Support Staff (Counseling, Nurse, Occupational Therapist, Physical Therapy, Psychologist, Social Worker), Pre-K-12

Nevada Teacher Interview

• First Grade Teacher, Alicia Lochridge

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.

• Las Vegas

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 certificate from the state. The requirements for the certificate include holding a bachelor’s degree and completion of a teacher preparation program in secondary education. Candidates must also pass the state-mandated exams and a criminal background check.

Question: How much do teachers make in Nevada?

Answer: At the elementary through high school levels (excluding special and career/vocational teachers), teachers in Nebraska earn annual average salaries of $57,780.⁴ Factors that may contribute to teacher salaries include school location and qualifications of the teacher.

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

Answer: Nevada offers certification to substitute teachers with a minimum of 60 college credits required. It also offers an emergency substitute certificate for school districts that qualify and present a written request, which requires a minimum of a high school diploma or GED.

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, 2016-2017: https://nces.ed.gov/ccd/stnfis.asp
4. Bureau of Labor Statistics, May 2018 State Occupational Employment and Wage Estimates, Nevada: https://www.bls.gov/oes/current/oes_nv.htm
5. US Department of Education, Teacher Shortage Areas: https://tsa.ed.gov/#/reports