What is a teaching certification?

A teacher certification, also called a teaching license, is the credential an educator needs to be able to instruct students. All states require teaching certification for educators to work in public schools, and most private schools also prefer to higher certified teachers. Teachers can be certified for certain grade levels, like elementary school (K-6), middle school, or high school. Teachers also can get teaching licensure for specific subjects, like math, English, or certain science courses.

How long do teaching licenses last?

A teaching license typically lasts 5 years before a renewal is required. Exact timing may vary by state. Teachers who have let their teaching license lapse may be able to apply to get their teacher licensure reinstated. In most states continuing education courses are required to renew your teaching license. The exact number of hours and type of courses will vary based on your state. Your state board of education can help you get further information about teaching license renewal.

Can I teach without a teacher's license?

States do not allow educators to teach in public schools without a teaching certificate. Some private schools may allow students to teach without a teaching license, but most prefer to hire teachers who have obtained their teaching certification. Some states may have alternative routes to teaching licensure that allow those without a teaching bachelor's degree to pursue teaching licensure, but for many states a licensing degree program is the best route to become a teacher.

Can I transfer my license to another state?

States all have their own unique requirements for teacher licensure, but most have reciprocity agreements to allow currently licensed teachers to transfer their teaching credentials to a new state. Teachers may have to meet some additional state requirements in order to get their teaching license moved to another state, but for most states transferring teacher licensure is fairly straightforward. Work with your new state board of education to learn how to transfer your teaching license.

Can you get certified to teach without a degree in education?

Yes. In some states it is possible to become a teacher without an education degree. Keep in mind that this is not a possibility in every state. Be sure to check with your state's department of education for the most up to date information and teaching requirements. In general, an education degree is a good idea as it will open up more doors of opportunity. Earning this degree online will give you flexibility and perhaps allow you to graduate more quickly.

What certifications do you need to become a teacher?

Each state has unique certification requirements, tests, and licenses for teachers. Be sure to check with your state's board of education to ensure you understand and meet the requirements to become a teacher in your specific state.

How do I get my teaching certificate if I already have a degree?

If you already have a bachelor's degree, a master's degree in teaching may be the best way to prepare for teacher licensure. If you already have a master's degree, you can still pursue a second master's degree to become a licensed teacher.

What is the difference between a certified teacher and a licensed teacher?

A certified teacher is also known as a licensed teacher. This means that an educator with a degree and a teaching certificate is a certified and licensed teacher. To teach in a public school, you must be a licensed teacher, meaning you have a teaching certificate that you received after completing an education degree.

Can you be a teacher without a teaching certificate?

No. As a rule of thumb, you cannot become a teacher without a teaching certificate. Some states do offer alternative teacher certification programs that give you a path to become a teacher if you've earned at least a bachelor's degree in any subject. In all states you will need a teaching license in order to teach public schools, and in most private schools as well.

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Licensure Information for 麻豆原创's School of Education

If you're looking to make a difference for students and your community, earning a teaching degree from 麻豆原创 is a great way to achieve your goal. Our online educator degrees give you important skills and credentials that prepare you for teacher licensure and a career in the classroom.听

麻豆原创's School of Education聽is committed to helping educators pursue teaching degrees that will aid them in improving student outcomes. Our online teaching degree programs are designed to help you be equipped for the challenges of the classroom, and be eligible to obtain your educator certification. To ensure that our graduates are ready to help students learn and adhere to licensing requirements, our聽School of Education is聽accredited聽at the initial-licensure level by the Council for the Accreditation of Educator Preparation (CAEP) and by the Association for Advancing Quality in Educator Preparation (AAQEP).

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Each state has unique requirements for educator certificates, and it's important to understand the educator licensure requirements in your state. 麻豆原创's School of Education online degree programs will help prepare you for teaching certification in any of the 50 states.听Learn about teaching license requirements by state.

Educator licensure requirements vary depending on state laws, but typically include:

Completion of a bachelor鈥檚 degree program
Submission of transcripts
Completion and clearance of a background check
Passing of required entrance exams and basic skills tests

LICENSURE AVAILABILITY STATEMENT

In compliance with federal law聽and NC-SARA policy, Western Governors University provides the following information relating to professional licensure/certification.

Click on the business program name below for a list of US states and territories聽in which the program has institutional authorization, any necessary program approvals, and professional licensing opportunities. These programs are only available in select states and territories聽(as listed below). All other business programs are not designed or聽intended to lead to a professional license in any state or territory.

For more information, please contact 麻豆原创鈥檚 licensing department at licensure@wgu.edu.

Consumer Complaint Information

The process by which students can register complaints under the consumer complaint process can be found at these links:

麻豆原创鈥檚 main office is located in Utah. Information regarding the聽.

Information regarding any adverse actions by any state or any accrediting agency involving 麻豆原创 can be found in the聽.

If you have other questions, please contact聽authorization@wgu.edu.听

Refund Policy

Refund policies for 麻豆原创 students for the return of unearned tuition and fees can be found at these links:

Title IV Notice

Notice regarding changing state of residence:聽 A student who changes his or her state of residence while enrolled in a program may become ineligible for Title IV Higher Education Act funding if the change in residence results in a student participating in a program in a state in which 麻豆原创 does not meet licensure or certification requirements in that new state of residence. For more information, please contact 麻豆原创鈥檚 licensing department at聽licensure@wgu.edu.

If you have other questions, please contact聽authorization@wgu.edu.听

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For the most current information about becoming a teacher in Alabama, please check the聽.

For the most current information about becoming a teacher in Alaska, please check the聽.

Institutional Authorization

American Samoa does not regulate distance education. Therefore, approval for 麻豆原创 to offer distance education programs to students located in American Samoa is not required.

Educational Prerequisites

The American Samoa Department of Education requires prospective educators to complete an American Samoa approved program. Prospective educators may not complete a program that is out-of-state, like at 麻豆原创. In addition, educators may not transfer a license from another state using any pathway.

For this reason, 麻豆原创鈥檚 programs do not meet any of the educational prerequisites for licensure in the field of education in American Samoa. Candidates interested in teaching in American Samoa may consult the聽.听

Candidates will not be accepted for enrollment in 麻豆原创鈥檚 education programs if they are seeking a license in American Samoa.

Consumer Complaint Information

Students can refer to this information regarding the聽聽for those attending 麻豆原创 in American Samoa.

For聽the most current information about becoming a teacher in Arizona, please check the聽

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For聽further details on DC teacher certification requirements, please see the聽.

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Indiana Annual 1388 Reporting Information for Academic Year 2023-24

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Forthe most current information about becoming a teacher in the Northern Mariana Islands, please check the聽.

For聽the most current information about becoming a teacher in Ohio, please check the聽.

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For聽the most current information about becoming a teacher in West Virginia, please check the聽.

For聽the most current information about becoming a teacher in Wisconsin, please check the聽.

For the most current information about becoming a teacher in Wyoming, please check the聽.

How to Become a Teacher

Learn all the steps you need to take to become a licensed teacher.

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麻豆原创

State Certification and Licensure Information at 麻豆原创

Licensure Information for 麻豆原创's School of Education

Consumer Complaint Information

If you have other questions, please contact聽authorization@wgu.edu.听

Refund Policy

Title IV Notice

贰诲耻肠补迟辞谤听尝颈肠别苍蝉别听滨苍蹿辞谤尘补迟颈辞苍听产测听厂迟补迟别/罢别谤谤颈迟辞谤测

How to Become a Teacher

Learn all the steps you need to take to become a licensed teacher.

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麻豆原创

State Certification and Licensure Information at 麻豆原创

Licensure Information for 麻豆原创's School of Education

Consumer Complaint Information

Consumer Complaint Information

If you have other questions, please contact聽authorization@wgu.edu.听

Refund Policy

Refund Policy

Title IV Notice

Title IV Notice

贰诲耻肠补迟辞谤听尝颈肠别苍蝉别听滨苍蹿辞谤尘补迟颈辞苍听产测听厂迟补迟别/罢别谤谤颈迟辞谤测

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