Teaching is a vitally important field: educators help shape each new generation through academic instruction and support. Given that teachers hold so much responsibility, it makes sense that we would want a guarantee of their professionalism. One method of achieving this is requiring teachers to become certified. Teacher certifications generally involve taking one or more exams to prove that prospective educators have general or specific knowledge of what they intend to teach, as well as how to teach it. This type of certification creates a baseline for educators that ensures every certified teacher will have a solid grasp on their chosen subject.
How Teacher Certification Works
Teacher certification is a widely used means of credentialing educators. While not every state requires teachers to become certified before they step inside the classroom, certification paths can vary both within a state and certainly, between different states. The exact definition of a certified teacher varies by state, but in most cases, a certified teacher is your typical K-12 educator. Alternatively, one might teach in a classroom without being certified, such as substitute teachers, who may only need permits to teach. As in this example, even when an educator does not need a certification to teach, they often need some other type of credential.
Teacher certification is almost always a multi-step process. The rules and regulations involved are determined in each state by several parties working together. These normally include the state department or board of education, universities and colleges, and educator preparation programs approved by the state's teacher certification board, which is often a division of the state's department or board of education. National groups like the National Board for Professional Teaching Standards (NBPTS) are also relied on in many states when certifying educators.
While there are many different types of teachers, most of the time, when we say ''teacher,'' we are referring to certified teachers, so we will mainly be focusing on this career path. It should also be noted that, in most contexts, teacher certification is the same thing as teacher licensure and that a certified teacher is a licensed teacher. Sometimes these terms are used interchangeably, though teacher certifications should not be confused with certificates, as the latter is what one receives after completing a certificate program and does not serve as teaching credentials on their own.
As for educational requirements, every state mandates that certified teachers have at least a bachelor's degree before they can teach in public schools. Teaching degrees are not necessarily mandatory, though the coursework and experience gained are. Most teaching degree programs include credit requirements for courses on pedagogy, a discipline focused on the practices and theories that inform teaching, and field experience that usually takes the form of student teaching. The specifics of educational requirements vary by state and can normally be found on the site of a given state's department or board of education. Most states also require teaching candidates to pass one or more certification exams. Certification exams typically fall into one of two categories: subject-specific or comprehensive. When each of these, and potentially other, requirements are satisfied, teacher candidates are ready to submit the application for their license to their state's teacher certification board.
What Type of Teaching Certification is Right for Me?
There is a variety of teacher certifications or licenses, most of which differ based on what population of students one wishes to teach. One example is students with special needs. Teaching this population requires a special education teaching license or related certification, which generally entails a preparation program that covers how to instruct and support students with a variety of disabilities. Another population distinction that differentiates certifications is grade range.
Beyond targeted student populations, certifications can also diverge based on the language of instruction. Educators teaching a language other than English or teaching in a language other than English will typically have to take an exam to prove their language proficiency before becoming fully certified.
Teaching Levels
Most states do not have separate licenses for educators looking to teach specific grade ranges, but many have separate certification requirements for teaching specific grade ranges. Grade ranges are typically divided into:
Early Childhood Education (Pre-K-3)
Elementary Education (K-6)
Secondary Education (7-12)
Some states require prospective educators to complete teacher preparation programs that deal with both instructing and managing students in different age groups. For instance, keeping the attention of middle schoolers and maintaining the attention of high schoolers call for different approaches. Some states do not delineate their teacher preparation programs by grade range but do require teacher candidates to pass one or more subject-specific exams correlated to the grade range they wish to teach. An example would be separate social studies exams for middle school and high school teachers, as is the case in Maine. Several states require both teacher preparation programs and certification exams to match an educator's intended grade range of instruction.
State vs. National Exams
States exams are tests developed by educators and policymakers within a state to certify in-state teaching candidates. They can be designed as subject-specific exams, as with the California Subject Examinations Test (CSET), or more general, as with the California Basic Educational Skills Test (CBEST). These exams satisfy one or more certification requirements of a state and are usually designed as the most straightforward way of obtaining a teaching license, though alternatives are typically available. Some states, like Alaska, will accept passing scores on the certification exams from other states. A more common alternative and the first choice for a state without its own exams is one of the national certification exams. Among the most well-known and widely used national teacher certification exams are the Praxis tests, offered by the Educational Testing Service (ETS), and the National Evaluation Series (NES). Like state exams, national tests cover an array of content to help certify educators teaching across all subjects and grade ranges.
Subject-Specific vs. Comprehensive Exams
Subject-specific exams focus on and test the examinee's comprehension of individual subject matter areas. An example would be an exam that tests one's knowledge of science or art. Exams focused on specific subjects tend to be aimed at those looking to teach in middle schools or high schools since the educational content taught in those classrooms is more specialized and calls for educators with greater knowledge of their subject matter area. Some subject-specific exams are also taken to fulfill a state's basic skills requirement.
Comprehensive exams deal with multiple subjects at once, with each subject usually having its own section or subtest within the exam. A single exam in this style may cover reading, writing, math, and possibly other subjects. Depending on the state and exam, this type of test can either qualify one to teach any subject within a specific grade range or fulfill the state's basic skills requirement.
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Most states require teaching candidates to take exams that assess their basic skills and their subject, or content, competencies. Some states have developed their own assessments, some rely on national certification exams, and some allow candidates to use both in their certification process.
Part of preparing to become a teacher is learning how to study for a teacher certification test. Teacher test prep has two main phases: learning what is on the test and studying that material. No matter what certification exam a teaching candidate takes, both phases of preparation have well-established best practices.
What to Expect on a Teaching Certification Exam
Whether they focus on one subject or several, teaching certification exams are generally broken up into sections or subtests. Subject-specific exams are usually divided into the core areas of a subject, while comprehensive exams tend to separate each subject matter area into its own section or subtest. As is common with standardized tests, most certification exams rely on multiple-choice questions, constructed-response items of varying length, or a combination of both. Multiple-choice questions may have one or multiple answers; in the latter case, exams will usually highlight this type of multiple-choice question beforehand and during the exam. Essay questions provide examinees with prompts and ask them to respond to them in essay form. Most certification exams are taken on a computer at a testing center or using one's laptop or desktop computer via online proctoring. Certain tests provide an option for examinees to take them on paper, though this is becoming less common.
Test takers are given a set amount of time to finish each section of a test. This varies based on the exam and subject but usually falls between one and three hours. During this time, examinees are asked to respond to about 20-50 multiple-choice questions and/or one to two essay questions. This range varies more widely than average testing times based on the subject; some exams may consist of two or three essay prompts, while exams such as the Foundational-Level General Science Subtest I of the CSET consist of 100 multiple-choice questions. Breaks are normally allowed when testing in-person, though typically not when an exam is taken remotely.
How to Study for a Teaching Certification Test
The first step to begin studying for a teaching certification exam is to determine which tests are required to meet certification requirements in the state one wants to teach in. One can then develop a study plan targeted for that particular test or tests.. Prospective test takers should determine how many days each week they plan to study and for how many hours each day. Making a schedule is a helpful way to develop a routine and stick to it. Mastery is gained through consistent practice, so making studying into a habit is a great method for passing any test.
Use Study Guides and Practice Exams
When it comes to specific teacher certification exams, many have study guides or practice tests. Study guides break down tests by content category and run future examinees through each type of problem they are likely to encounter. Most also provide useful tips that can simplify what at first seem like difficult problems.
Practice tests are similar, though they focus solely on test questions that match the content and question formats test-takers will encounter in their exams. Some practice tests feature questions that have been on previous versions of an exam, whereas others have simulated questions that match an exam's content areas. Either way, practice tests can be used to gauge what a teaching candidate has a handle on and what topics they need to study further. Both study tools help to focus one's studying and can provide confidence boosts to counter exam day stress.
Targeted Study Resources
Study.com offers several resources to help prepare for teacher certification tests. The test prep courses have been designed by experts who know the test material inside and out. These resources include full-length practice exams. The results on these practice tests are then used to create individualized study plans based on what areas the test-taker needs more work on. There are also extra question banks for additional practice on weak areas. Prospective teachers can set goals and track their progress to make the most of their valuable study time.
Praxis Tests are the most common teacher certification exams, and many states accept them. Study.com offers a wide range of Praxis exam preparation resources targeted to specific tests. National Evaluation Series Exams (NES) are another set of commonly used teacher exams. Many study resources are available for the NES exams as well.
Many states that do not accept Praxis or NES exams have specialized tests designed for that state. For the following state certification exams, Study.com offers study guides, thousands of sample test questions, and video lessons to help prospective teachers learn the material. These resources will inspire confidence and prepare test takers to succeed.
What Are the Alternatives to Teacher Certification?
Although it is less common to teach without certification, it is possible. One option is to become an educator through Teach For America (TFA). TFA teachers only need a bachelor's degree with a cumulative GPA of 2.5 or higher and to be a United States citizen or a DACA recipient. TFA teachers work in school districts with less funding for two-year stretches and work to improve educational equity across the United States.
Another route is through alternative teacher certification. Most states have programs that allow people with any bachelor's degree to undergo teacher preparation programs that offer the same level of certification as educators who took the state's traditional path. Part of the reason for these and other programs like them is teacher shortages. Among the responses to the ongoing challenge of teacher shortages is emergency teacher certification. Some states with especially pressing needs will issue emergency teacher certifications or permits that allow non-certified educators to teach at a school lacking licensed applicants. Each state that offers these permits regulates them differently, though they are normally valid for less time than a certification. Most require applicants to have at least a bachelor's degree.
For those certified to teach in another state or country, a few states offer another path to licensure. Comparable out-of-state credentials are sometimes accepted by a state department or board of education via a process known as reciprocity. Some states, like Arizona and Mississippi, offer full reciprocity, while others allow out-of-state credentials to satisfy parts of their in-state certification.
Can I Teach Without a Teaching Certification?
A few options are available for those who wish to teach without a certification. In many states, substitute teachers do not need a license and can instead teach with a temporary, usually renewable, permit. Becoming a teaching assistant or aide is another education career path that does not require a license. Qualifications to work as a teaching assistant vary between schools, but most ask for a high school diploma, an equivalent like a GED, or an associate degree. As the name suggests, teaching assistants work alongside certified teachers in classrooms. They support both the teacher's instruction and the classroom's students.
Frequently Asked Questions
How much does teacher test prep cost?
Teacher certification exam prep has a variable cost depending on the tests a test taker wants to study for and which resources they choose to use for their preparation. There are several free resources that a student can use before taking their exams.
What are the steps to become a teacher?
There are multiple avenues to becoming a teacher, and depending on the state, level, and subject, there are different requirements. Generally, a teacher needs a bachelor's degree and teacher certification to get started in most states.
What degree is needed to become a teacher?
Teaching does not require a degree in a specific subject area, although it can be advantageous to have a bachelor's degree in education. In order to qualify for most teacher certification exams, a prospective teacher needs at least a bachelor's degree.
