According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, teacher employment is expected to grow 6 percent for kindergarten, elementary, middle and high school teachers. Requirements for teaching in the United States vary by state, but most states have basic requirements, which include:
- A four-year bachelor's degree (or higher)
- Completion of a teacher certification program
- Obtaining state or national certification as mandated by your state
Public schools usually require teachers to have certification, while some private schools do not. In general, obtaining teacher certification is an important step in a teaching career, and there now are convenient online programs available to earn that certification. Some programs even offer a bachelor's degree as part of the certification, while other programs focus solely on the certification. These online programs are ideal for substitute teachers who do not yet have the necessary credentials for their state or for aspiring teachers who want to complete their studies and their certificate as well. All of these programs also have an in-classroom teaching component.
How Do I Get A Teaching License?
Oftentimes the terms license and certification are synonymous. Keep in mind that every state has different requirements for its teachers. Here are two examples of teaching license requirements for California and Texas.
California Teacher Requirements (K-12)
Source: The State of California Commission on Teacher Credentialing
- Complete a baccalaureate degree or higher
- Satisfy the basic skills requirement
- Complete an approved teacher preparation program
- Have a passing score on a subject-matter examination
- Complete an approved subject-matter program
- Satisfy the Developing English Language skills requirement
- Complete a course about the U.S. constitution (two semester units or three quarter units)
- Complete foundational computer technology course work
- Obtain a Clear Credential through one of three ways:
- Complete an approved General Education Induction Program
- Complete a General Education Clear Credential Program (available to holders of preliminary credentials)
- Earn your certification through the National Board of Professional Teaching Standards (NBPTS) after obtaining the California Preliminary Single Subject Teaching Credential
Texas Teacher Requirements (K-12)
Source: The Texas Education Agency
- Earn a bachelor's degree from an accredited university
- Complete an Educator Preparation Program. Those who have already earned a degree may contact an Alternative Certification Program. Those who do not have a degree must first earn at least a bachelor's degree.
- Earn a passing score on the state certification exam.
- Complete the state's application and fingerprinting process.
Where Do I Get Licensed?
There are several ways to go through teaching license programs, the process may differ from state to state. Here are two national organizations that offer it:
- National Board for Professional Teaching Standards Certification: This voluntary certification goes above and beyond what is usually required by most states. Earning it sets teachers apart from their colleagues, and may smooth the way toward a promising career. Board certification is available in 25 subject areas, and the NBCT certification consists of four components: written assessment, reflection on student work samples, analysis of teaching practice, and documentation of teaching accomplishments.
- American Board for the Certification of Teacher Excellence: Also known as the American Board, this nonprofit organization works to train qualified professionals by having them attend an alternative teacher certification program, which is offered entirely online. The online program takes an average of 7 to 10 months from enrollment to certification, and it is accepted as an approved route for full teacher certification in 11 states: Arizona, Florida, Idaho, Mississippi, Missouri, New Hampshire, Oklahoma, Pennsylvania, South Carolina, Tennessee, Utah, and private schools.
How Much Do Teachers Make?
Here's a look at the earnings outlook for teachers, as supplied by the Bureau of Labor Statistics.
| Profession | Total employment in the U.S. (2015) | Mean annual wage in the U.S. (2015) | Expected growth (2014-2024) |
| Kindergarten teachers (except special education) | 159,400 | $54,510 | 6% |
| Elementary school teachers (except special education) | 1,358,000 | $57,730 | 6% |
| Secondary school teachers (except special/vocational) | 961,600 | $60,440 | 6% |
Sources:
- About Certification, National Board for Professional Teaching Standards, http://boardcertifiedteachers.org/about-certification
- American Board for the Certification of Teacher Excellence, http://abcte.org/
- Becoming a classroom teacher in Texas, Texas Education Agency, http://tea.texas.gov/interiorpage.aspx?id=25769812519
- May 2015 National Occupational Employment and Wage Estimates, United States, Bureau of Labor Statistics, http://www.bls.gov/oes/current/oes_nat.htm
- National Board Certification of Teachers, http://www.nea.org/home/31738.htm
- Occupational Outlook Handbook, High School Teachers, Bureau of Labor Statistics 2015, http://www.bls.gov/ooh/education-training-and-library/high-school-teachers.htm
- Occupational Outlook Handbook, Middle School Teachers, Bureau of Labor Statistics 2015: http://www.bls.gov/ooh/education-training-and-library/middle-school-teachers.htm
- Occupational Outlook Handbook, Kindergarten and Elementary School Teachers, Bureau of Labor Statistics 2015: http://www.bls.gov/ooh/education-training-and-library/kindergarten-and-elementary-school-teachers.htm
- Single Subject Teaching Credential, State of California, Commission on Teacher Credentialing, http://www.ctc.ca.gov/credentials/leaflets/cl560c.pdf
- Understanding Certification, Teach.org, https://www.teach.org/teaching-certification