Becoming a certified teacher involves several important milestones, from selecting the right pathway to completing exams and gaining hands-on experience. Below, you’ll find a step-by-step guide along with helpful resources to support you on your journey to the classroom.
Step 1: Earn a Bachelor’s Degree
The first stop on the road is earning a bachelor’s degree. You might major in education or the content area you want to teach, such as history or math. If you already have a degree, consider an alternative route to teaching. More on this later.
Before taking the test to become a teacher, make sure you choose an accredited institution to ensure your credits are recognized by state boards of education according to your state’s education website.
Step 2: Enroll in a State-Approved Teacher Preparation Program
Again, check your specific state. However, you’ll likely need to complete a TPP or a teacher preparation program.
This will include certain classes pertaining to:
- Child development
- Methods of teaching (pedagogy)
- Classroom management
- Lesson planning
- Ways to assess
- Field experiences involving observation and teaching
Step 3: Complete Student Teaching or Residency
Many states require a minimum of one semester of student teaching or a teacher residency. Apprenticeship and residency programs are relatively new pathways to entering the teaching profession.
- Paid apprenticeship pathways: Programs like Alabama’s Teacher Apprentice initiative offer aspiring teachers the opportunity to earn a salary while they train, creating a more financially accessible path to becoming certified educators.3
- Mentored, hands-on experience: Teacher residency and apprenticeship models emphasize immersive, year-long classroom experiences under the guidance of mentor teachers. This approach helps bridge the gap between theory and practice, enhancing preparedness and retention.4
- Addressing teacher shortages and diversity: Grow Your Own (GYO) and Registered Apprenticeship Programs (RAPs) are expanding nationwide to combat teacher shortages and promote workforce diversity by recruiting and training educators from within local communities.
- Paid work-based learning: You may be able to teach while you complete your certification, potentially earning a salary with an intern or emergency certificate.5
Step 4: Pass Certification Exams
Your next step is to take the necessary test to become a teacher. Every state requires you to pass certification and these are the main exams:
- Praxis® Core and Subject Tests
- NES® (National Evaluation Series)
- edTPA® performance-based assessments
- State-specific exams like TExES (TX), MTEL (MA), FTCE (FL) or CBEST/CSET (CA)
Visit your state’s department of education website or check out ETS Praxis State Requirements for necessary exams.
Step 5: Apply for State Licensure
You’ve passed your tests and completed the steps above — now what? Now you're eligible to apply for your license.
Check your state for its process, but generally, you’ll need to submit:
- Official transcripts
- Test scores
- Background check clearance
- Application and fee
Many states will honor other states’ licenses with minimal additional requirements.6
Step 6: Continue Professional Development (PD)
Engage in ongoing professional growth, continually building new skills and knowledge to stay at the forefront of your field. You’ll need to renew your license every few years and complete ongoing PD hours.7
To help you find what you need, here is a quick look at available resources and what they offer:
- ETS Praxis: Exam details, prep and state requirements
- GCU College of Education: Programs, degrees and alternative paths
- State DOE websites: State-specific requirements and applications
