How to Become a Teacher: Degrees, Certification, and Steps

By Maya R., College Admissions Specialist

The short answer: to become a public school teacher in the United States you usually earn a bachelor's degree, complete a state approved teacher preparation program, finish student teaching, pass required exams such as the Praxis or a state test, and apply for a license in your state. Rules vary by state, so confirm the specifics with your state education department. This guide walks the steps and names what to plan for.

Becoming a Teacher at a Glance

Is Teaching Right for You?

Ask these before you start.

• Do you enjoy explaining ideas to others? Teaching is built on this.
• Can you manage a group and keep calm? Classroom control matters.
• Are you willing to meet state rules that differ by location? Licensure is local.
• Do you want a stable, service oriented career? Public teaching offers that.

If you prefer health care, see how to become a nurse. If you like law, see how to become a lawyer.

Step 1: Earn a Bachelor's Degree

Most public school teachers hold at least a bachelor's. Many study education; others study the subject they plan to teach, such as math or English, then add preparation. Choose a program that leads to the grade level and subject you want. The Bureau of Labor Statistics reports that kindergarten and elementary school teachers typically need a bachelor's degree plus a state issued license, with 2024 median pay near $62,310 BLS, Kindergarten and Elementary School Teachers.

Step 2: Complete a Teacher Preparation Program

A state approved preparation program teaches pedagogy, lesson planning, and assessment. In many cases it is built into the bachelor's. If your degree is in another field, an alternative certification or post baccalaureate route can meet the requirement.

Step 3: Finish Student Teaching

Student teaching places you in a real classroom under an experienced mentor. You take on teaching duties while supervised. States require a set number of supervised hours, so plan a full term for this step.

Step 4: Pass the Required Exams

Most states require a knowledge and skills test. The Praxis series is common, though some states use their own exams. You may also need a test in your subject area. Check your state's list early so you can study.

Step 5: Apply for Your License

You submit proof of your degree, preparation, student teaching, exam scores, and a background check to your state Department of Education. Some roles need a master's, especially in administration or specialty areas. Licenses also need periodic renewal, often with continued training.

Skills You Need

• Clear explanation of complex topics.
• Classroom management and patience.
• Lesson planning tied to standards.
• Communication with students and families.
• Steady organization.

These grow with practice, not just coursework.

Alternative Routes

Career changers with a bachelor's can enter through alternative certification. Some states let you teach while finishing requirements. Private schools and tutoring roles may have different rules. Always verify with the employer and state.

Alternative Certification and Cost

Traditional routes bundle the degree and preparation together. Alternative certification lets a bachelor's holder in another field earn the credential while teaching or studying, often through a post baccalaureate program or a residency. These routes vary by state and by employer, so confirm both before you enroll.

The cost is usually lower than a second degree, but the pace is intense because you learn pedagogy while you teach. Choose this only if you are steady under a heavy load.

Shortage Areas and Subject Demand

Some subjects and regions hire more readily than others. Math, science, special education, and bilingual education positions tend to have more openings than general elementary roles in many states. If you are flexible on subject or location, your first job search gets easier. Check your state's teacher shortage list, which most education departments publish.

A Sample First Year

• Summer before: finish exams and file the license application.
• August: first classroom, with mentoring from a veteran teacher.
• Months 1 to 3: build routines and learn your grade level standards.
• Months 4 to 9: refine lessons and manage the load with peer support.
• End of year: renew the plan, not the license yet, which comes later on a set cycle.

The first year is the steepest. Teachers who survive it usually stay.

The Day to Day of Teaching

Teaching is not only the hour in front of the class. The work also includes lesson planning, grading, parent contact, meetings, and the quiet reset between periods. The BLS reports that kindergarten and elementary teachers typically need a bachelor's and a state license, with 2024 median pay near $62,310 BLS, Kindergarten and Elementary School Teachers. The pay is steady rather than high, and the schedule follows the school calendar.

Students who last treat the planning as the real job, not the lecture. The classroom hour is the visible part. The preparation behind it is what makes the hour work. Summer breaks are real but often spent on training or a second job, so budget the year as twelve months, not nine.

Common Misconceptions

• "All states share one test." Each state sets its own.
• "Student teaching is quick." It takes a full term, plan ahead.
• "The subject exam is easy." Subject tests trip up many candidates.
• "Renewal is automatic." Licenses lapse without continued training.
• "Private and public rules match." They often differ.

Frequently Asked Questions

Do I need an education major to teach?

Not always. You can study the subject you will teach and complete a preparation program separately, but check your state's rules.

What exam do teachers take?

Many states use the Praxis series. Others use state specific tests. Your state education department lists the required exams.

How long does it take to become a teacher?

About four years for the bachelor's, then preparation, student teaching, and exams. Alternative routes can shift the timeline.

Can I teach without a degree?

Public school teaching usually requires a bachelor's and a license. Some private, tutoring, and aide roles differ.

Do teachers need a master's?

Not for entry in most states. Some specialties and administrative roles do, and a few states expect one later.

Is certification the same in every state?

No. Each state sets its own degree, exam, and experience rules, though reciprocity agreements exist when you move.

Sources

• BLS, Kindergarten and Elementary School Teachers
• U.S. Department of Education, State Contacts