Licensure

Goal: To become a certified teacher. General steps include:

• Must enroll in a state-approved teacher certification program (undergraduate/traditional or alternative/post-baccalaureate).
• Must meet all program requirements.
• Must meet all state licensure (and exam) requirements.

Licensure requirements are dependent upon three things:

• The state in which you become certified
• The pathway you decide to pursue - traditional/undergraduate, or post-baccalaureate/alternate
• The certification area you wish to pursue

Since licensure requirements depend on the state in which you wish to become certified, the recommendation is for you to familiarize yourself with the educator licensure page (information) of your state.

Please note: Education policies, legislation, and licensure requirements are subject to change. Requirements are established by the applicable state legislature and/or department of education and may be updated before those changes are reflected in communications from Reach. Until you hold an initial teaching license in the state where you are seeking licensure, you may be subject to updated requirements that take effect during that time. For the most current information, please refer directly to the applicable state department of education website.

State Department of Education (DOE) Sites:

Alabama

Arkansas

California

Colorado

Georgia

Louisiana

Mississippi

Missouri

Tennessee

Texas

General Steps to Licensure (regardless of either the BA-LS or BAGE pathways)

The basic steps to obtain teacher licensure are:

• Earn a bachelor’s degree
• Complete a TPP (This could be a part of earning your degree if in the BAGE pathway; or after earning your degree if in the BA-LS pathway.)
• Pass Licensure Exams (This could be a part of completing or entering your program, depending on the pathway you’re on.)
• Meet State requirements - which could include coursework, professional development, exams, background check, employment, etc.
• Submit Licensure application