Becoming a teacher is hard work! It takes several years of college, time spent student teaching, and passing a competency exam to get your teaching license. Each state has unique requirements and time commitments needed before you can be hired as a licensed teacher. Some vary depending on the desired grade level, subject area, and/or specialization.

Here is a breakdown of what’s needed in each state.

1. Alabama

You’ll need a bachelor’s degree with a major in your required field that includes at least 32 hours of credit. You’ll also need to complete a teacher education program that includes classroom observations and student teaching. Once you’re done with your coursework, you must take and pass the Three Basic Skills Assessments and the Praxis II exams, which will qualify you for a Class B teaching certificate, which is issued to new teachers. Teachers with master’s degrees can obtain a Class A certificate, and teachers who complete a sixth-year program are eligible for a Class AA certificate.

Average starting salary: $43,679. Average salary: $69,544.

2. Alaska

First, get a bachelor’s degree, and then complete a teacher preparation program that includes classroom observations and student teaching or supervised teaching. Once you’re done with your coursework, you’ll need to take and pass Praxis I/Pre-Professional Skills Test, the Praxis Core Academic Skills for Educators, or an equivalent test from another state, which will allow you to get an Initial Teaching License, which is valid for 2 years. For a Professional Certificate, which is renewable and valid for 5 years, you’ll need to pass the Praxis II Content Area Exam. Teachers who have earned National Board certification can upgrade to a Master Teacher Certificate, which is valid for 10 years.

Average starting salary: $51,207. Average salary: $76,371.

3. Arizona

You’ll need to have earned a bachelor’s degree with at least 45 credit hours and completed a teacher preparation program that includes the study of pedagogy and classroom practice. Once you’ve finished your degree and practice, you’ll take the Arizona Educator Proficiency Assessment or the National Evaluation Series. A passing score on your exam makes you eligible for an initial teaching certificate, which allows you to get your first teaching job.

Average starting salary: $44,124. Average salary: $60,275.

4. Arkansas

Once you have your bachelor’s degree, complete a state-approved teacher preparation program that includes the study of pedagogy and student teaching. You’ll also need to complete a teacher certification program. Once you have completed your coursework, you’ll need to take and pass a Praxis exam. With a passing Praxis exam score, you’ll receive a Standard license.

Average starting salary: $37,907. Average salary: $54,309.

5. California

Get a bachelor’s degree and complete a teacher preparation program that includes classroom observations and student teaching or supervised teaching. Once you’re done with your undergraduate degree, you’ll need to complete a teacher training program, which can take 1-2 years. Alternatively, California offers a 4-year integrated undergraduate program that allows you to get your degree and complete teacher training at the same time. After that, you’ll need to take and pass the California Teaching Performance Assessment, which will allow you to gain your teaching license.

Average starting salary: $55,283. Average salary: $95,160.

6. Colorado

You’ll need to earn bachelor’s degree with at least 24 credit hours and complete a teacher preparation program that includes classroom observations and student teaching or supervised teaching. Your undergraduate degree must include a teacher preparation program. The teacher preparation program will include pedagogy and student teaching. Once you pass a Subject Area Competence Test, you’ll receive an initial license, which is valid for 3 years. You can upgrade your initial license to a professional license by completing a teacher induction program. This license is valid for 5 years.

Average starting salary: $39,044. Average salary: $60,775.

7. Connecticut

Once you have a bachelor’s degree, complete a teacher preparation program that includes classroom observations and student teaching or supervised teaching. Then, you’ll take the Praxis II subject test for the subject area where you plan to teach. Depending on your specialization, you might also need to take the Pearson Foundation of Reading Test, the Pearson Reading Specialist Test, or the Pearson Early Childhood Test. With a passing test score, you can obtain an initial teaching certificate, which can be upgraded to a provisional certificate, requiring 10 months of teaching in a Connecticut public school. After 30 months of teaching and additional courses, you can obtain a professional certificate.

Average starting salary: $48,784. Average salary: $83,400.

8. Delaware

In Delaware, you’ll be required to get a bachelor’s degree and complete a teacher preparation program that includes learning about the science of teaching as well as student teaching. Once you receive a passing score on the Praxis II Math, Reading, and Writing exams and the Praxis II in your subject area, you will be eligible for a Standard Certificate. After three years of teaching, you can obtain a Continuing License. If you receive a National Board for Professional Teaching Standards certificate, you can upgrade your license to an Advanced License.

Average starting salary: $45,188. Average salary: $68,787.

9. District of Columbia

To teach in Washington DC, you’ll need to get a bachelor’s degree from an accredited college and complete an accredited certification program. Once you pass the Praxis Core Academic Skills for Educators and the Praxis Subject Assessment tests, you’ll be eligible for an initial license.

Average starting salary: $63,373. Average salary: $84,882.

10. Florida

You’ll need a bachelor’s degree with at least 30 semester hours in elementary education or subject area for secondary education. You’ll also need to complete an accredited teacher preparation program that includes pedagogy and student teaching. After completing your coursework, you must take and pass the Florida General Knowledge Test and the Florida Subject Area Examinations. Beginning teachers will receive a temporary certificate, which can be upgraded to a Professional Certificate once you have met additional requirements.

Average starting salary: $47,178. Average salary: $53,098.

11. Georgia

You’ll need to get a bachelor’s degree from an accredited college and complete a state-approved teacher preparation program that includes curricula and fieldwork or student teaching. In order to qualify for a teacher preparation program in Georgia, candidates must first pass the Georgia Assessments for the Certification of Educators assessment. In order to get your license, you must also pass the edTPA pedagogy exam. Once you’ve passed all your exams, you’ll qualify for an initial teaching certification. After 3 years, you can upgrade that license to a Professional certificate and after 10 years of holding an advanced degree, you can upgrade to an Advanced and Lead Professional certificate.

Average starting salary: $41,148. Average salary: $64,461.

12. Hawaii

To teach in Hawaii, you must earn a bachelor’s degree from an accredited college and complete a state-approved teacher preparation program that includes curricula and fieldwork or student teaching. Once you’re done with your coursework, you’ll need to take and pass a Praxis exam. Hawaii offers three types of teaching licenses. As a new graduate of a teacher preparation program, you’re eligible for a Provisional License, which is good for 3 years and is not renewable. A Standard License is for teachers who have taught for 3 of the past 5 years and an Advanced License is available for teachers who have advanced degrees or have received a National Board for Professional Teaching Standards certificate.

Average starting salary: $50,123. Average salary: $70,947.

13. Idaho

You’ll need a bachelor’s degree, and that undergraduate coursework must include certain requirements based on what grade level of students you wish to teach. You must also complete a state-approved teacher education program that includes educational theory classes as well as student teaching and/or fieldwork. Once you’ve completed the necessary coursework, you’ll need to pass the Praxis II: Subject Tests exam in your area of specialty to get your initial teaching license. You must renew your teaching license every 5 years.

Average starting salary: $41,179. Average salary: $56,365.

14. Illinois

Illinois teachers must obtain a bachelor’s degree and complete a state-approved teacher preparation program that includes curricula and fieldwork or student teaching. Your teacher education program should include educational theory and classroom skills courses, as well as student teaching. After completing those requirements, Illinois has its own testing system that requires prospective teachers to pass the Illinois Licensure Testing System Test of Academic Proficiency and a content area test in your specialty area. Once you pass, you’ll be eligible for your first teaching license.

Average starting salary: $43,515. Average salary: $73,916.

15. Indiana

You’ll need a bachelor’s degree with a minor in a content area relevant to teaching as well as a major relevant to education. You’ll also need to complete an accredited teacher preparation program that includes supervised field experience and classroom teaching. Once all these requirements are met, you’ll take the Core Academic Skills Assessment, which is an exam that tests math, reading, and writing. You’ll also need to take and pass a Development Area Assessment depending on what grade or subject you plan on teaching. Once you pass the exams, you’ll be eligible for an Initial Practitioner certificate, which you can upgrade later to a Proficient Practitioner certificate.

Average starting salary: $42,735. Average salary: $57,015.

16. Iowa

You’ll need at least a bachelor’s degree, but Iowa also requires additional coursework depending on what grade and subject you plan to teach. You’ll also be required to complete an accredited certification program and pass the Praxis II: Subject Tests exam in order to receive your Initial Certification, which is valid for the first 2 years you teach in Iowa. After that, you can complete the requirements to receive a Standard or Master Educator certificate, both of which are valid for 5 years.

Average starting salary: $39,986. Average salary: $61,231.

17. Kansas

In Kansas, start by earning a bachelor’s degree and completing a teacher accreditation program that includes pedagogy and student teaching. Once you’ve completed your coursework, you’ll need to take and pass the Praxis II: Subject Tests exam and the Praxis II Principles of Learning and Teaching exam. Passing scores will make you eligible for an Initial License, which is good for your first 2 years of teaching. After that, a satisfactory performance assessment will make you eligible for a Professional License, which is good for 5 years. If you choose to become National Board Certified from the National Board for Professional Teaching Standards, you’ll be eligible for an Accomplished License, which is valid for 10 years.

Average starting salary: $41,200. Average salary: $56,481.

18. Kentucky

You’ll need at least a bachelor’s degree, but Kentucky also requires additional coursework depending on what grade and subject you plan to teach. Certification to teach elementary school requires coursework in all subject areas while certification to teach middle school requires a major in English, math, science, or social studies. Your teacher certification program will also require supervised student teaching. You might also need to take and pass the Pre-Professional Skills Test before being accepted into a teaching program. You’ll also need to take the Praxis II: Subject Tests and the Praxis II Principles of Learning and Teaching exams. There are three ranks of certification in Kentucky: Rank III is for new teachers, Rank II requires a master’s degree, and Rank I requires a master’s degree and 30 hours of graduate credit.

Average starting salary: $39,204. Average salary: $56,296.

19. Louisiana

You’ll need at least a bachelor’s degree, but you’ll also need to choose a certification area of focus, as well as 180 hours of field experience, including student teaching, and yearlong residency experience. Once you’ve completed these requirements, you’ll take the Pre-Professional Skills Test, the Praxis II: Subject Tests exam, and the Praxis II Principles of Learning and Teaching exam.

A passing score makes you eligible for a license, of which there are three levels. A Level 1 Professional Certificate is good for 3 years. A Level 2 Professional Certificate is given to teachers with at least 3 years of experience and who have passed the Louisiana Teacher Assistance and Assessment Program, which is a two-year mentoring program. Teachers who obtain a Level 3 Professional Certificate must have at least 5 years of experience and have passed the Louisiana Teacher Assistance and Assessment Program, as well as a master’s degree.

 Average starting salary: $45,593. Average salary: $54,248.

20. Maine

To teach in Maine, you must earn a bachelor’s degree and complete a teacher preparation program that includes classroom observations and student teaching or supervised teaching.

For those wishing to be elementary school teachers, your teacher preparation program must include:

  • 6 semester hours each for English, math, science and social studies
  • 3 semester hours each for elementary reading methods, elementary math methods, elementary science methods, and elementary social studies methods
  • 3 semester hours each for teaching exceptional students, elementary math, reading, science, and social studies, as well as one of three options: children’s literature, writing process, or elementary language arts methods. 

For those wishing to be secondary teachers, your teacher preparation program must include 24 semester hours in the subject you wish to teach and 3 credits each for teaching exceptional children and secondary teaching methods. Once you’ve completed these requirements, you’ll take the Pre-Professional Skills Test, the Praxis II: Subject Tests exam, and the Praxis II Principles of Learning and Teaching exam, which will make you eligible for a teaching license.

Average starting salary: $41,163. Average salary: $59,964.

21. Maryland

You’ll need to get a bachelor’s degree and complete a teacher preparation program that includes classroom observations and student teaching or supervised teaching. Once you’ve completed the required coursework, you’ll take the Pre-Professional Skills Test or a passing score on the GRE, SAT, or ACT. Most teachers also need to take the Praxis II: Subject Tests exam. There are four levels of certification in Maryland. A Professional Eligibility Certificate is for new teachers who aren’t employed by Maryland Public Schools yet. A Standard Professional Certificate I is given to teachers working in Maryland Public Schools or an accredited nonpublic school. Teachers can earn a Standard Professional Certificate II with 3 years of experience and 6 semester hours of related coursework. To get an Advanced Professional Certificate, teachers must meet all of the previous requirements and have either a master’s degree or 36 semester hours of post graduate coursework.

Average starting salary: $51,548. Average salary: $79,420.

22. Massachusetts

Massachusetts educators must earn a bachelor’s degree and complete a state-approved teacher preparation program. Once you’ve finished the required coursework, you can register to take the Massachusetts Tests for Educator Licensure. A passing score makes you eligible for an Initial License, which is valid for 5 years and renewable once. After 3 years of teaching, you can apply to upgrade your license to a Professional License, which is valid for 5 years.

Average starting salary: $51,057. Average salary: $92,307.

23. Michigan

You’ll need to obtain a bachelor’s degree and complete a state-approved teacher preparation program to be considered for licensure. The exams you’ll need to pass include the Michigan Test for Teacher Certification, as well as a Professional Readiness Exam. You may need to take additional tests depending on the grade level or content area you plan to teach in. You’ll initially receive a Provisional Education Certificate, which is valid for up to 6 years. In order to upgrade to a Professional Education Certificate, you’ll need to complete 6 to 9 credit hours in a planned course of study. New teachers must also complete a mentoring program for their first three years of teaching.

Average starting salary: $40,302. Average salary: $67,011.

24. Minnesota

First, get a bachelor’s degree and complete a teacher education program approved by the state and that includes educational theory classes and student teaching. After you finish your coursework, you’ll be ready to take the NES Essential Academic Skills Test, the MTLE content knowledge test for subject area competency, as well as the MTLE pedagogy test. Passing scores on these tests mean you’ll be eligible for a Tier 1 License, which is renewable 3 times, each time for 1 year. Experience, board certification, and advanced degrees will help you become eligible for Tier 2, Tier 3, or Tier 4 Licenses.

Average starting salary: $43,181. Average salary: $70,005.

25. Mississippi

You’ll need a bachelor’s degree and to complete a teacher certification program that includes student teaching. Mississippi requires you to pass the Praxis Core Academic Skills for Educators Test as well as the Praxis II: Subject Tests exams to earn your first teaching license. You can add endorsements to your license by completing a certain amount of coursework in the area you teach.

Average starting salary: $42,336. Average salary: $53,354.

26. Missouri

You’ll need to obtain a bachelor’s degree, including specific classes you’ll need to take based on what grade and/or subject you’re planning to teach. You must also complete an approved teaching education program, which requires you to take and pass the Missouri General Education Assessment, as well as the Missouri Educator Gateway Assessments, which is a series of several tests to show competency. Beginning teachers are eligible for an Initial Professional Certificate, which is good for 4 years. Completing 2 years of mentoring means you’re eligible for a Career Continuous Professional Certificate, which is permanent as long as you maintain professional development requirements and receive satisfactory job performance reviews.

Average starting salary: $36,829. Average salary: $53,999.

27. Montana

You’ll need a bachelor’s degree, which must include an endorsement in early childhood education, elementary education, middle school education, secondary education, K-12 education, P-12 education, or special education. Additionally, you’ll need to take a teacher education preparation program that includes educational theory classes and complete student teaching. Once you’re done with your coursework, you must pass the Praxis II exam to be issued a Class 2 Educator License, which is for beginning teachers who have a bachelor’s degree. You can upgrade to a Class 1 Professional Certificate with 3 years of experience and a master’s degree.

Average starting salary: $34,476. Average salary: $55,909.

28. Nebraska

To teach in Nebraska, you’ll need to receive a bachelor’s degree that also meets the requirements for one endorsement. For elementary education, that includes 40 hours of professional coursework and 30 hours of academic coursework. For a secondary endorsement to teach middle or high school, that includes 36 semester hours, 12 of which are professional education classes and 24 of which are in one content area. Your teacher education program will also include student teaching. Nebraska requires you to pass the Praxis Core Academic Skills for Educators exam to receive your Initial Certificate, which is good for 5 years. One you’ve finished at least 2 years of teaching, you can upgrade your license to a Standard Certificate, which is also good for 5 years. If you finish a master’s degree, you can upgrade again to a Professional Certificate, which is good for 10 years.

Average starting salary: $37,797. Average salary: $58,763.

29. Nevada

Like all states, you’ll need a bachelor’s degree that includes 32 credit hours of courses depending on whether you plan to teach elementary or secondary age students. Elementary candidates will need to complete coursework in a variety of subjects while secondary candidates will focus on the content area they plan to teach. You’ll also be required to do student teaching.

Once finished with the coursework, you’ll have to take the Praxis Core Academic Skills test, the Praxis II: Subject Tests exam, and the Praxis II: Principles of Learning and Teaching exam. Nevada also requires you to demonstrate knowledge of Nevada education laws, the Nevada Constitution, and the United States Constitution.

Novice teachers receive a Non-Renewable License that is valid for 3 years. Teachers are then eligible for a Standard License, which is valid for 5 years. Teachers who have at least 3 years of experience, as well as either a master’s degree or are board certified, can obtain a Professional License, which is valid for up to 10 years.

Average starting salary: $43,695. Average salary: $61,719.

30. New Hampshire

You’ll need to earn a bachelor’s degree and complete a teacher certification program that includes student teaching and certain competencies based on what grade and/or subject you wish to teach. To show competency, you’ll need to pass the Praxis Core Academic Skills for Educators test and the Praxis II: Content Assessment exam. With passing scores, you’re eligible for your first teaching license, which can be upgraded with experience and additional coursework.

Average starting salary: $41,590. Average salary: $64,169.

31. New Jersey

In New Jersey, you must earn a bachelor’s degree that includes a coherent sequence of coursework, which means a liberal arts major for elementary education candidates or a major in the subject area you wish to teach for secondary education candidates. You’ll also be required to complete student teaching. To obtain a license, you’ll need to first pass the Praxis Core Academic Skills for Educators test or score in the top third percentile on the ACT, SAT, or GRE test. Candidates must also pass the Praxis II Subject Assessment/Specialty Area test. New Jersey will grant a Certificate of Eligibility with Advanced Standing to new graduates of teacher education programs. These new teachers then go through 2 years of mentoring before they receive their permanent Standard Certificate.

Average starting salary: $56,434. Average salary: $81,102.

32. New Mexico

You’ll need to complete a bachelor’s degree and a teacher education program that includes 30 credit hours (including student teaching) for elementary education, 30-36 credit hours (including student teaching) for middle school education, and 24 credit hours (including student teaching) for high school education. Candidates must also pass the National Evaluation Series Essential Academic Skills Subtests I, II, and II: Reading, Writing, and Mathematics for basic skills, and the appropriate NES grade level tests, including the Assessment of Professional Knowledge. Alternatively, you might be eligible to take the Praxis tests instead. You can upgrade your Level 1 license with experience, advanced coursework, and board certification.

Average starting salary: $50,628. Average salary: $63,580.

33. New York

You’ll need a bachelor’s degree, including 30 hours of coursework specific to what you plan to teach. Then you must complete an approved New York Teacher Preparation Program that includes coursework and student teaching. You’ll need to prove your pedagogical knowledge by passing the Educating All Students test (ESA) and the edTPA test. You’ll then receive an Initial Certificate, which is good for your first 5 years in the classroom. Your Professional Certificate is renewable every 5 years.

Average starting salary: $49,315. Average salary: $92,696.

34. North Carolina

You’ll need to complete a bachelor’s degree and a teacher certification program that includes student teaching. Then you must pass Praxis Core Academic Skills for Educators exam to be accepted into a teacher certification program. Once you’ve finished the required coursework, you’ll take the Pearson for North Carolina Foundations for Reading test and the General Curriculum test. You’ll also be required to take the Praxis Subject Assessment exam for the area you wish to teach in. North Carolina gives Professional Educator’s Initial Licenses to teachers with 2 years or less of experience and Professional Educator’s Continuing Licenses to teachers with at least 3 years of experience.

Average starting salary: $40,136. Average salary: $56,559.

35. North Dakota

After getting your bachelor’s degree, you must complete a state approved teacher preparation program where you choose a certification option: early childhood, kindergarten, elementary education, or secondary education. You can also choose a content area: art, foreign language, music, physical education, or computer education. Part of your teacher preparation program will also include student teaching.

To get your license, you’ll also need to pass the Praxis Core Academic Skills for Educators exam, the Praxis Subject Assessments exam, and the Principles of Learning and Teaching exam. Once you pass the exams, you’ll receive a 2-year Initial In-State License. Once you’ve been in the classroom for at least 18 months, you will be eligible for a Five-Year Renewal License.

Average starting salary: $42,393. Average salary: $56,792.

36. Ohio

Ohio teachers must get a bachelor’s degree and complete a state-approved rigorous teacher preparation program as well as field work that includes research, design, and practice. This state does not require candidates to take a basic skills test to get a teaching license, but you will need to take the Ohio Assessment for Educators pedagogy assessment. Additionally, Ohio requires the Praxis exam specific to the area in which you plan to teach. Foreign language teachers must also pass the Oral Proficiency Test and the Written Proficiency Test.

New teachers will receive a 4-year Resident Educator License, after which teachers get a Professional Educator License. Teachers can receive a Senior Professional Educator License if they have taught for at least 9 years, earned an advanced degree, and finished a Master Teacher Portfolio. You’re eligible for a Lead Professional Educator License if you also meet the requirements to earn a Teacher Leader Endorsement.

Average starting salary: $40,055. Average salary: $66,390.

37. Oklahoma

You’ll need a bachelor’s degree and to complete a state-approved teacher preparation program that includes rigorous classes as well as student teaching. You’ll also be required to complete coursework relevant to the grade and/or subject you wish to teach. Oklahoma requires three competency tests once you’ve completed your coursework: the Oklahoma General Education Test, the Oklahoma Subject Area Test, and the Oklahoma Professional Teaching Exam. Once you’ve successfully passed all three exams, you’re eligible for an initial teaching license.

Average starting salary: $38,192. Average salary: $55,505.

38. Oregon

To get licensed, you’ll need a bachelor’s degree and to complete a teacher preparation program approved by the state of Oregon. Once you’ve completed your teacher preparation program, Oregon requires you to take and pass two tests: the Protecting Student and Civil Rights in the Education Environment Examination and the Subject Matter Exam relevant to the grade and/or subject you want to teach. You must also complete the edTPA or an equivalent teacher’s performance assessment. New teachers then receive a Preliminary Teaching License, which is valid for 3 years and cannot be renewed. Once that license expires, you can apply for a Professional Teaching License, which is good for 5 years and is renewable.

Average starting salary: $42,050. Average salary: $72,476.

39. Pennsylvania

You’ll need a bachelor’s degree and complete a state-approved teacher preparation program that includes relevant coursework as well as student teaching. You’ll also have to meet certain requirements related to the grade and/or subject you wish to teach. Pennsylvania then requires you to pass a basic skills test, as well as assessments related to professional knowledge, general knowledge, and subject knowledge. There is a two-tier license program in Pennsylvania. New teachers start at Level I, which is good for 6 years. After your first 6 years of teaching, you’re required to take 24 credits of post graduate coursework and go through an induction program to receive your Level II license.

Average starting salary: $49,083. Average salary: $74,945.

40. Rhode Island

You’ll need to get a bachelor’s degree and complete specific coursework relevant to the grade and/or subject you want to teach. Rhode Island also requires you to complete a teacher education program that includes classes and student teaching. Once your coursework is complete, you can take certain Praxis exams administered by the American Council on the Teaching of Foreign Languages, Pearson, and ETS. You’ll then be eligible for an initial teaching license, which can be upgraded once you’ve completed certain experience and educational requirements.

Average starting salary: $46,066. Average salary: $79,289.

41. South Carolina

You’ll need a bachelor’s degree that fulfills specific requirements. For example, for an elementary degree, you’ll need to take classes that include classroom inquiry, diverse learners, classroom assessment, and exceptional children. For a secondary degree you’ll need to take classes that include technology, community service, diverse learners, and classroom inquiry. You’ll also need to complete a teacher education program that includes classwork and student teaching. South Carolina requires you to take the Praxis II: Subject Tests and the Praxis II Principles of Learning and Teaching to qualify you for an initial teaching certificate, which is good for 3 years. You can advance to a professional teaching certificate after 3 years and with the participation in a formal teacher evaluation program.

Average starting salary: $42,026. Average salary: $57,778.

42. South Dakota

First, get a bachelor’s degree and complete a teacher preparation program that includes relevant coursework and student teaching and that is accredited by the state. Once you’re finished with the program, you can register to take the Praxis exam relevant to the grade and/or subject that you wish to teach. You’ll then receive your first teaching license. In South Dakota, teaching licenses are renewed every 5 years.

Average starting salary: $42,907. Average salary: $53,153.

43. Tennessee

You’ll need to get a bachelor’s degree and complete a teacher preparation program that includes relevant coursework and student teaching. Once you’ve fulfilled these requirements, you can take the Praxis Core Academic Skills for Educators test as well as a Praxis exam relevant to the area you want to teach and Principles of Learning and Teaching test. You’ll start by receiving a Practitioner Teaching License, which is good for 3 years and can only be renewed once. Once you’ve taught for at least 3 years, you can apply for a Professional Teaching License, which is good for 6 years and can be renewed throughout the duration of your career.

Average starting salary: $42,164. Average salary: $55,369.

44. Texas

You’ll need a bachelor’s degree and complete a teacher preparation program that includes 300 hours of coursework, 30 hours of field experience, and student teaching. Your coursework must comply with the Texas Essential Knowledge and Skills Standards. Before Texas grants you a teaching license, you need to take and pass a Pedagogy and Professional Responsibilities test, as well as exams relevant to the grade and/or subject you want to teach. First time teachers who pass these tests are given an initial certificate which can be upgraded to a Standard Certificate once they’ve gained experience teaching in Texas. In order to renew a Standard Certificate, you must also complete 150 hours of continuing education.

Average starting salary: $55,505. Average salary: $60,716.

45. Utah

You’ll need to get a bachelor’s degree and finish a teacher education program that includes relevant coursework and student teaching and/or fieldwork. If you’re planning to teach in a specialty area, you’ll also need to complete coursework in that subject area. To gain your first teaching certificate, you need to pass the Praxis exam in the area you’re planning to teach. There are 3 levels of licensure in Utah: Local Education Agency, which is under the leadership of local governing boards or school districts, an Associate, which is granted when minimum requirements are met, and a Professional, which is granted when all competencies have been met.

Average starting salary: $49,555. Average salary: $63,481.

46. Vermont

Vermont teachers must earn bachelor’s degree and go through a teacher education program that combines classwork and student teaching. After you finish that coursework and field practice, you’ll need to pass the Praxis test relevant to the grade and/or subject you plan to teach, as well as the Praxis II content test. You’ll earn a Level I Professional Educator’s License, which you’ll hold for 3 years and can renew. After you’ve taught for at least 3 years, finished 3 credits or 45 hours of professional development, and done a self-assessment, you can upgrade to a Level II Professional Educator’s License, which you’ll renew every 5 years.

Average starting salary: $43,060. Average salary: $66,536.

47. Virginia

You’ll need to complete a bachelor’s degree and go through an accredited teacher education program that combines classroom learning and student teaching. Then, you’ll take the Virginia Communication and Literacy Assessment and a Praxis subject area competence test. Once you’ve passed your exams, you can register for your Initial License, which can be upgraded as you gain experience and endorsements.

Average starting salary: $46,250. Average salary: $63,103.

48. Washington

You’ll need to complete a bachelor’s degree and successfully go through an accredited teacher preparation program that includes both coursework and student teaching. Once you’ve finished your degree and teacher preparation program, you can sign up to take the 2 tests necessary to obtain a license: Washington Educator Skills Test – Basic and either the Washington Educator Skills Test – Endorsements or the National Evaluation Series Test. After you pass your exams, you’ll receive a Residency Certificate, which you can transfer to a Professional Certificate when you complete a professional certification program at a Washington college and complete a ProTeach Portfolio that shows your professional development activities.

Average starting salary: $55,631. Average salary: $86,804.

49. West Virginia

In West Virginia, you’ll need to obtain your bachelor’s degree and pass a state approved teacher education program that combines classes and student teaching. Then you must pass the Praxis Core Academic Skills for Educators exam and a test that covers the subject or content area that you want to teach.

West Virginia has four types of teaching licenses:

  1. A nonrenewable 1-year Temporary Teaching Certificate, which is for out-of-state teachers or teachers who completed their education outside of West Virginia.
  2. An Initial Professional Teaching Certificate, which is good for 3 years and is for teachers who have completed their degree and teacher education program.
  3. A Professional Teaching Certificate, which is good for 5 years and is for teachers who have taught for at least 2 years, have their supervisor’s recommendation, and have completed additional coursework.
  4. A Permanent Professional Teaching Certificate, which is valid forever and is for teachers who have at least 5 years of experience, their supervisor’s recommendation, and a master’s degree.

Average starting salary: $40,339. Average salary: $52,870.

50. Wisconsin

To teach in Wisconsin, you’ll need to get a bachelor’s degree and complete a teacher preparation program that includes classroom observations and student teaching or supervised teaching. Once you finish these requirements, you should take the Praxis II or the ACTFL World Language Test and then take the Wisconsin Foundations of Reading Test and complete the edTPA. In Wisconsin, new teachers get an Initial Teaching License, which is nonrenewable and good for 5 years. After you teach for at least 3 years, you can advance to a Lifetime Educator License. You can also get a Master Educator License if you have a Lifetime Educator License and have completed either a national board certification or completed the Wisconsin master educator assessment process.

Average starting salary: $41,151. Average salary: $62,524.

51. Wyoming

You’ll need to earn a bachelor’s degree and complete a teacher preparation program that includes classroom observations and student teaching. Once you’ve completed these requirements, you’ll be eligible to take exams based on what the Wyoming Professional Teaching Standards Board dictates according to the grade level and/or content area you plan to teach, which can include the Praxis II exam. Once you’ve passed your exams, you can apply for your initial teaching license, which can be upgraded with experience and further education.

Average starting salary: $48,622. Average salary: $61,979.

If you’re moving to a new state, most states offer licensing through interstate reciprocity. Check their websites for the procedures for obtaining a new or transferring an existing license to a new state. Many states also offer alternative licensing for people interested in becoming a teacher but don’t have a related degree or haven’t passed the necessary exams. The websites for each state also provide more information about how to gain an alternative license.

Click here for more information on teacher salaries in each state.

How to Become a Teacher in Each of the 50 States