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Utah Teacher Certification and Career Guide

The Utah State Board of Education (USBE) oversees the certification process for Utah public K-12 teachers, which is outlined below. The main steps for the traditional path to teacher certification in Utah 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.

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

Table of Contents


How to Become a Teacher in Utah

This section outlines the steps to become a certified teacher in Utah via the traditional pathway. 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 Utah.

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

To become a teacher in Utah, candidates must have a bachelor’s degree and complete a university-based educator preparation program (EPP), usually as part of the bachelor’s degree. The bachelor’s degree major will depend on the grade level and subject students wish to teach. The EPP should be approved by the USBE.

You can compare key metrics for state-approved teacher preparation programs on our Utah 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 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. 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 more than one placement.

3. Pass the required Utah teacher exams.

Utah state sealUtah has adopted the Praxis Series of tests, administered by Educational Testing Service (ETS) to evaluate candidates who apply for teaching certification in Utah. All future educators in Utah must pass the Praxis Subject Tests in their content area to qualify for certification. In addition, teachers being licensed in early childhood, elementary, preschool special, or special education need to pass the Praxis Foundations of Reading Test. Most candidates complete this exam while they are enrolled in their EPP.

4. Apply for Utah teacher certification.

The next step is to apply for a Professional Educator License (PEL). Traditional route candidates for Utah teacher certification do not typically apply for their teaching license themselves. Instead, the institution offering the EPP will apply for a license on the graduate’s behalf by entering a recommendation in the Comprehensive Administration of Credentials for Teachers in Utah Schools (CACTUS). Applicants should create an account in the Utah Schools Information Management System (USIMS) and submit:

  • Background check with fingerprinting
  • Utah Educator Ethics Review
  • University recommendation
  • Official transcripts
  • Payment of non-refundable application fees

For more information, review the Apply for an Educator License page.

    Guide to Other Teaching Pathways

    Utah Teacher Certification Renewal

    PELs are good for five years and expire on June 30 of the renewal year. To renew a PEL, it is recommended to use the PEL Renewal Form for a review and approval of the renewal activity. Educators must document at least 100 hours of renewal activity. You can complete the online renewal process using USIMS and paying the fee.

    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. In Utah, endorsements attach to a license area of concentration. Each endorsement and license area combination has its own requirements that can be found in the associated Specs document. Educator Endorsement Applications must be submitted digitally via SM Apply. For more information, review the Educator Endorsements page.

    Utah Teaching License Reciprocity

    Out-of-state teachers who wish to become teachers in Utah can apply for a License Equivalency Review (LER). Applicants will need to create a USIMS profile and submit:

    • Copy of out-of-state license
    • Official transcripts
    • Verification of experience form
    • Exam scores
    • Fingerprint based background check
    • Payment of non-refundable fees

    In addition to standard classroom teaching certificates, the USBE issues credentials in a variety of support and administrative areas. These include:

    • Instructional Coaching Endorsement: Requires five years of classroom teaching experience, instructional coaching or leadership experience, experience providing instruction to adult educators, three years of effective or higher rating, at least one year of full-time employment in the Utah education system.
    • School Leadership License: School Principal: Requires a master’s degree, passing the required school leadership assessment, and a recommendation from an approved school leadership preparation program.
    • School Counselor License: Requires a master’s degree in school counseling from an approved institution with a recommendation and passing the required exam.

    Other support positions are offered by the USBE, such as school leaders, teacher leaders, teacher mentors, and more, each with unique requirements. Check out the Educator Development page for more information.

    Utah Teacher Outlook, Salary, and Jobs

    Projected Job Growth

    19.3%

    Growth in Teaching Jobs in UT through 20322*

    There were 1,051 public K-12 schools in Utah during the 2017-2018 school year, serving an estimated student population of 668,274.3 With 29,211 public school teachers, this gave Utah a student-to-teacher ratio of about 23:1.3

    Job prospects through 2032 are significantly stronger in Utah than the expected national averages, with job growth for Utah elementary teachers projected at 18.6% compared to 0.7% nationally; for Utah middle school teachers, 18.6% compared to 0.8% nationally; and for Utah secondary school teachers, 19.3% compared to 1% nationally.2

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

    TypeNumber Employed in UT4Average Annual Openings in UT2UT Proj. Job Growth 2022-20322Average Annual Salary in UT425th Percentile Wages in UT575th Percentile Wages in UT5
    Preschool Teachers4,60078049.4%$34,860$29,640$36,780
    Preschool Teachers, Special Education2003036%$58,450$36,820$73,530
    Kindergarten Teachers66010020.5%$58,100$47,960$67,230
    Elementary School Teachers16,9301,32018.6%$66,660$56,310$78,610
    Kindergarten and Elementary School Teachers, Special Education2,43012017.7%$54,830$37,180$70,590
    Middle School Teachers4,37047018.6%$67,060$51,660$81,070
    Middle School Teachers, Special Education670——$65,260$47,880$79,820
    Middle School Teachers, Career/Technical Education1702015.8%$57,720$50,120$63,680
    Secondary School Teachers8,38086019.3%$70,050$59,770$80,700
    Secondary School Teachers, Special Education970——$61,810$51,540$73,770
    Secondary School Teachers, Career/Technical Education7405015.6%$65,900$60,590$76,680

    *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 Utah

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

    In addition to these shortages, Utah had 37 unfilled positions during the 2021-2022 school year.7 Furthermore, over 3,703 teachers in Utah were considered underqualified for their assignment, which includes teachers assigned to classrooms outside their certification field on a temporary or emergency basis.7

    Additional Resources

    • USBE Educator Licensing: Hub to find out how to apply for an initial license, add endorsements or renew an existing license, and access educator incentive programs.
    • Utah Association of Teacher Educators (UATE): Works to improve the effectiveness of teacher education through teacher development and professional growth opportunities.
    • Utah Education Association (UEA): Comprised of educators, students, activists, workers, parents, and community members who support the public education system in Utah.

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    Frequently Asked Questions

    Question: How do I become a high school teacher in Utah?

    Answer: To become a high school teacher in Utah, you need to earn a bachelor’s degree or higher from a regionally accredited college or university. You also must pass the Praxis exams and a criminal background check. Once these requirements are met, you can apply for a teaching certificate with high school endorsements.

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

    Answer: According to the latest statistics available, as of the 2019-20 school year, there were 169 private schools in Utah, with 1,790 full-time teachers and 16,223 students.8 Utah law does not require private school teachers to be certified, though schools may prefer to hire teachers with state credentials. Check with private schools in your area to confirm requirements.

    References:
    1. Utah State Board of Education: https://schools.utah.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, Utah: https://www.bls.gov/oes/current/oes_ut.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