Licensure

Obtaining a Teaching License

In the United States, teachers must meet licensing and/or certification requirements before they can teach. All 50 states require their teachers be licensed to teach in public schools. Particular licensure requirements are set by each state’s board of education. Requirements vary but commonly include obtaining a bachelor’s degree, completing a teacher preparation program, and passing standardized exams to demonstrate competency in subject matter and teaching-related skills.

In some states, teachers are required to receive certification to teach specific subjects or grade levels. Furthermore, new teachers are often expected to complete an extended student teaching experience, or internship, under the supervision of a licensed teacher. Most states also conduct criminal background checks and confirm citizenship status. Although licensure requirements are unique in each state, most engage in reciprocity agreements that recognize portions of a teaching license from other states, allowing educators a greater degree of flexibility in moving across state lines.

Types of Teaching Licenses

[Page 974]There are many different types of teaching licenses including early childhood, elementary education, middle level, or secondary education. Teachers can also obtain licensure or certification in a specialized field such as English as a second language, special education, or reading. Teachers new to the profession are often granted an initial or temporary licensure. By completing professional requirements (such as teaching full-time or completing additional course work), an initial license may lead to a professional license. To renew a professional teaching license, which is often valid for 5 or 10 years, most states require teachers to engage in continuing education (i.e., professional development or college courses), gain professional teaching experience, and pass a criminal background check.

States also offer alternative licensure programs. Those who enroll in these programs generally have decided to become teachers after graduating from college, sometimes after spending years in another career. They typically have a bachelor’s degree but have not taken the necessary education courses to pursue standard teacher certification. Supporters of alternative licensure programs argue that these programs can help offset shortages of teachers in certain subjects or qualify more people to teach in areas that have difficulty enticing and retaining teachers. Critics claim that alternative-certification initiatives are lowering teacher-quality standards.

See also Certification; Standardized Tests