12 Professional Licenses Required by State and How to Start

5. Teacher / K–12 Certification

A state teaching credential permits you to teach in public K–12 schools and is usually issued by the state department of education. Typical steps include completing a teacher preparation program or an approved alternative route, passing state certification tests (which may include subject-specific and basic skills exams), and submitting a transcript and background check. Some states require student teaching hours as part of preparation. Requirements and titles differ—one state’s “certified teacher” may be another’s “licensed teacher”—so verify your target state’s specific endorsements and grade-level rules. Many states have provisional or emergency certifications for teachers in shortage areas, but these often require completing full certification within a set timeframe. When relocating, look into interstate agreements and state reciprocity policies; some states grant certification based on an out-of-state certificate plus verification. For exact steps, contact your state department of education, and if you’re a candidate, ask your college’s education office to help with the transcript and testing process.