Loading...
Loading...
Teacher / Substitute Teacher
Compare teacher certification requirements, substitute teacher permits, exams, fees, and alternative pathways across every US state. Every data point sourced and verified against official state departments of education.
51
States Verified
48
Require Exams
51
Offer Alt Cert
51
Require Student Teaching
Every state sets its own teacher certification requirements. Degree expectations, required exams, and certification pathways vary significantly.
Earn a bachelor's degree, complete a state-approved teacher preparation program with student teaching, pass required exams (Praxis, state-specific tests), and apply for your initial certificate.
Most states offer alternative routes for career changers — earn your teaching certificate while you teach. Programs like Teach For America, TNTP, and state-specific residencies provide fast-track options.
Requirements for substitute teachers vary widely — from a high school diploma in some states to a bachelor's degree in others. Many states offer separate substitute permits with lower barriers to entry.
Side-by-side fees, hours, exams, and timelines across all 50 states. Sort by cost, hours, or any column.
Compare All StatesFind out if your license transfers to another state and what extra steps are needed.
Check ReciprocityBrowse approved programs by state — compare costs, requirements, and timelines.
Click any column header to sort. Click a state to view full requirements.
| State | Degree | Primary Exam | App Fee | Total Fees | Cert Years | CE Hrs | Sub Req. | Alt Cert | Verified |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Alabama(AL) | Bachelor's degree from a regionally accredited institution | Praxis Subject Assessments | $38 | $500–$650 | 5 yr | 50 | High school diploma (standard); 60 semester hours of college credit (emergency substitute) | Yes | March 2026 |
| Alaska(AK) | Bachelor's degree or higher from a regionally accredited institution | Praxis Core Academic Skills for Educators | $200 | $600–$740 | 2 yr | Varies | High school diploma for short-term (under 20 days); valid teaching certificate for long-term (20+ days) | Yes | March 2026 |
| Arizona(AZ) | Bachelor's degree from a regionally accredited institution | Arizona Educator Proficiency Assessments (AEPA) - Professional Knowledge Exam | $60 | $430–$500 | 12 yr | 180 | Bachelor's degree | Yes | March 2026 |
| Arkansas(AR) | Bachelor's degree from a regionally accredited institution | Praxis Principles of Learning and Teaching (PLT) | $75 | $420–$550 | 5 yr | 36 | High school diploma or GED (standard substitute); bachelor's degree (long-term substitute, 30+ consecutive days) | Yes | March 2026 |
| California(CA) | Bachelor's degree or higher from a regionally accredited institution | Basic Skills Requirement (CBEST or alternatives) | $100 | $575–$875 | 5 yr | 150 | Bachelor's degree | Yes | March 2026 |
| Colorado(CO) | Bachelor's degree or higher from a regionally accredited institution | Praxis Subject Assessments (or equivalent content competency demonstration) | $90 | $250–$470 | 3 yr | 90 | High school diploma (1-year authorization); bachelor's degree (3-year authorization); Colorado or other state teaching license (5-year authorization) | Yes | March 2026 |
| Connecticut(CT) | Bachelor's degree from an accredited institution | Praxis Subject Tests | $200 | $525–$745 | 10 yr | 90 | Bachelor's degree (for assignments of 40 days or less); bachelor's degree plus 12 credit hours in subject area (for assignments over 40 consecutive days) | Yes | March 2026 |
| Delaware(DE) | Bachelor's degree from a regionally accredited institution, or 30 credit hours in a subject field for alternative routes | Praxis Core Academic Skills for Educators | $100 | $465–$605 | 4 yr | 90 | Bachelor's degree | Yes | March 2026 |
| District of Columbia(DC) | Bachelor's degree from an accredited institution | Approved Basic Skills Exam (Praxis Core or equivalent) | $50 | $400–$540 | 2 yr | Varies | Determined by individual LEA (Local Education Agency) | Yes | March 2026 |
| Florida(FL) | Bachelor's degree or higher from a regionally accredited institution | Florida Teacher Certification Examinations (FTCE) - General Knowledge Test | $75 | $490–$590 | 3 yr | Varies | Varies by district; typically high school diploma or higher | Yes | March 2026 |
| Georgia(GA) | Bachelor's degree from an accredited college or university | Georgia Assessments for the Certification of Educators (GACE) - Content Assessment | $20 | $260–$330 | 3 yr | Varies | Varies by district; typically bachelor's degree or 20 hours of GaPSC-approved training | Yes | March 2026 |
| Hawaii(HI) | Bachelor's degree or higher from a regionally accredited institution | Praxis Core Academic Skills for Educators | $0 | $330–$490 | 3 yr | Varies | Determined by HIDOE; HTSB does not certify substitutes | Yes | March 2026 |
| Idaho(ID) | Bachelor's degree from a regionally accredited institution | Praxis Subject Assessments | $75 | $235–$285 | 5 yr | Varies | Varies by district; typically high school diploma or bachelor's degree | Yes | March 2026 |
| Illinois(IL) | Bachelor's degree from a regionally accredited institution | Illinois Licensure Testing System (ILTS) - Test of Academic Proficiency (TAP) | $100 | $700–$735 | 5 yr | 120 | Bachelor's degree (for Substitute Teaching License); or a valid Illinois PEL or ELS | Yes | March 2026 |
| Indiana(IN) | Bachelor's degree from an accredited institution | Indiana CORE Assessments for Educator Licensure - Pedagogy Assessment | $70 | $293 | 2 yr | 90 | Bachelor's degree (standard substitute permit); associate's degree or 60 college credit hours (emergency substitute permit in shortage areas) | Yes | March 2026 |
| Iowa(IA) | Bachelor's degree from a regionally accredited institution | Foundations of Reading Test (FoRT) | $85 | $227-$373 | 2 yr | 6 | Bachelor's degree (for a Substitute Teaching License); or a valid Iowa teaching license | Yes | March 2026 |
| Kansas(KS) | Bachelor's degree from an accredited institution | Praxis Core Academic Skills for Educators | $60 | $586–$696 | 2 yr | 160 | Bachelor's degree (standard substitute license); 60 college credit hours (emergency substitute license) | Yes | March 2026 |
| Kentucky(KY) | Bachelor's degree from a regionally accredited institution | Praxis Core Academic Skills for Educators | $85 | $572–$682 | 4 yr | Varies | Bachelor's degree (standard substitute certificate); 64 college credit hours (emergency substitute certificate) | Yes | March 2026 |
| Louisiana(LA) | Bachelor's degree from a regionally accredited institution | Praxis Core Academic Skills for Educators | $55 | $575–$685 | 3 yr | 150 | Bachelor's degree preferred; some parishes accept 60 college credit hours for substitute teaching | Yes | March 2026 |
| Maine(ME) | Bachelor's degree from a regionally accredited institution | Praxis Core Academic Skills for Educators | $50 | $428–$538 | 5 yr | 6 | 60 college credit hours (minimum); bachelor's degree preferred | Yes | March 2026 |
| Maryland(MD) | Bachelor's degree from a regionally accredited institution | Praxis Core Academic Skills for Educators | $50 | $435–$545 | 5 yr | 6 | 60 college credit hours (minimum set by local school systems; some require a bachelor's degree) | Yes | March 2026 |
| Massachusetts(MA) | Bachelor's degree | Massachusetts Tests for Educator Licensure (MTEL) - Communication and Literacy Skills | $100 | $433–$672 | 5 yr | 150 | Bachelor's degree | Yes | March 2026 |
| Michigan(MI) | Bachelor's degree | Michigan Test for Teacher Certification (MTTC) - Professional Readiness Examination (PRE) | $66 | $396–$497 | 6 yr | 150 | 60 semester credit hours from an accredited college or a valid teaching certificate | Yes | March 2026 |
| Minnesota(MN) | Bachelor's degree | MTLE Content, Pedagogy, and Basic Skills Exams | $57 (non-refundable) | $405–$680 | 5 yr | 125 | Bachelor's degree for short-call substituting; valid teaching license preferred | Yes | March 2026 |
| Mississippi(MS) | Bachelor's degree | Praxis Core Academic Skills for Educators | $25 | $376–$546 | 5 yr | 10 | Associate's degree or 48 semester hours of college credit | Yes | March 2026 |
| Missouri(MO) | Bachelor's degree | Missouri General Education Assessment (MoGEA) | $40 | $439–$759 | 4 yr | 15 | 60 semester credit hours of college-level coursework | Yes | March 2026 |
| Montana(MT) | Bachelor's degree | Praxis Core Academic Skills for Educators | $55 | $373–$543 | 5 yr | 60 | Bachelor's degree or substitute teaching permit with district sponsorship | Yes | March 2026 |
| Nebraska(NE) | Bachelor's degree | Praxis Subject Assessment | $50 | $370–$540 | 5 yr | 6 | Bachelor's degree or valid teaching certificate | Yes | March 2026 |
| Nevada(NV) | Bachelor's degree | Praxis Core Academic Skills for Educators | $180 | $480–$650 | 5 yr | 6 | Bachelor's degree for standard substitute license; 60 college credits for short-term substitute | Yes | March 2026 |
| New Hampshire(NH) | Bachelor's degree | Praxis Core Academic Skills for Educators | $120 | $370–$540 | 3 yr | 75 | Bachelor's degree preferred; local district may set requirements | Yes | March 2026 |
| New Jersey(NJ) | Bachelor's degree | Praxis Subject Test (Praxis II) | $105 | $293–$344 | — | 100 | 60 college credits or a valid teaching certificate | Yes | March 2026 |
| New Mexico(NM) | Bachelor's degree | NES Essential Academic Skills (EAS) | $55 | $363–$574 | 5 yr | Varies | Associate's degree or 60 semester hours, or a valid teaching license | Yes | March 2026 |
| New York(NY) | Bachelor's degree | Educating All Students (EAS) | $50 | $414–$714 | 5 yr | 100 | Bachelor's degree (varies by district; some may accept 60 college credits) | Yes | March 2026 |
| North Carolina(NC) | Bachelor's degree | Praxis II - Content Knowledge | $70 | $347–$577 | 3 yr | 80 | Bachelor's degree (standard); some districts accept associate's degree or 48 college credits for emergency substitutes | Yes | March 2026 |
| North Dakota(ND) | Bachelor's degree | Praxis II - Content Knowledge | $55 | $366–$416 | 2 yr | 90 | Bachelor's degree for a Substitute Teaching License; districts may hire non-licensed substitutes for short-term needs | Yes | March 2026 |
| Ohio(OH) | Bachelor's degree | Ohio Assessments for Educators (OAE) - Assessment of Professional Knowledge (APK) | $25 | $295–$320 | 4 yr | 18 | Bachelor's degree for a Substitute Teaching License; non-licensed substitutes with some college may be used in emergency situations | Yes | March 2026 |
| Oklahoma(OK) | Bachelor's degree | Oklahoma General Education Test (OGET) | $50 | $401 | 5 yr | 75 | Bachelor's degree for standard substitute certificate; 90 college credit hours for emergency substitute certificate | Yes | March 2026 |
| Oregon(OR) | Bachelor's degree | Oregon Educator Licensure Assessments (ORELA) - Multiple Subjects Exam or NES Content Exam | $197 | $322–$352 | 3 yr | Varies | Bachelor's degree for a Restricted Substitute Teaching License; any valid Oregon teaching license also qualifies | Yes | March 2026 |
| Pennsylvania(PA) | Bachelor's degree | Praxis Core Academic Skills for Educators (or SAT/ACT/GRE equivalent scores) | $150 (Standard Certification Fee of $50 + Professional Educator Discipline Fee of $100) | $327.60–$477.60 | 6 yr | 180 | Bachelor's degree for a Substitute Teaching Permit; emergency/day-to-day substitutes may have lower requirements at district discretion | Yes | March 2026 |
| Rhode Island(RI) | Bachelor's degree | Praxis Core Academic Skills for Educators | $100 | $345–$495 | 5 yr | Varies | Bachelor's degree | Yes | March 2026 |
| South Carolina(SC) | Bachelor's degree | Praxis Core Academic Skills for Educators | $105 | $540–$710 | 3 yr | 120 | Bachelor's degree for a standard Substitute Teaching Certificate; some districts may use emergency substitutes with an associate's degree or 60+ college credits | Yes | March 2026 |
| South Dakota(SD) | Bachelor's degree | Praxis Core Academic Skills for Educators | $50 | $363.25–$513.25 | 5 yr | 6 | Bachelor's degree for a Substitute Teaching Certificate; some districts may request emergency authorization for substitutes with less education | Yes | March 2026 |
| Tennessee(TN) | Bachelor's degree | Praxis Core Academic Skills for Educators | $75 | $500–$700 | 3 yr | 90 | Bachelor's degree | Yes | March 2026 |
| Texas(TX) | Bachelor's degree | TExES (Texas Examinations of Educator Standards) Content Exam | $77 | $400–$550 | 5 yr | 150 | High school diploma or equivalent (varies by district; some require 60 college hours or bachelor's degree) | Yes | March 2026 |
| Utah(UT) | Bachelor's degree | Praxis Subject Assessment | $100 | $310–$400 | 3 yr | 200 | High school diploma or equivalent (districts may set higher requirements) | Yes | March 2026 |
| Vermont(VT) | Bachelor's degree | Praxis Core Academic Skills for Educators | $200 | $500–$640 | 3 yr | 9 | Bachelor's degree (varies by district; some may accept associate's degree or 60 college credits) | Yes | March 2026 |
| Virginia(VA) | Bachelor's degree | Praxis Core Academic Skills for Educators | $50 | $550–$750 | 5 yr | 180 | Bachelor's degree (local school boards may set requirements; some accept 60 college credits) | Yes | March 2026 |
| Washington(WA) | Bachelor's degree | WEST-B (Washington Educator Skills Test - Basic) | $62 | $700–$900 | 5 yr | 150 | Bachelor's degree (or 72 quarter hours/48 semester hours of college credit for limited substitute certificate) | Yes | March 2026 |
| West Virginia(WV) | Bachelor's degree | Praxis Core Academic Skills for Educators | $25 | $500–$650 | 5 yr | 6 | Bachelor's degree (or college coursework with county approval for short-term substitute permits) | Yes | March 2026 |
| Wisconsin(WI) | Bachelor's degree | Praxis Subject Assessment | $125 | $380–$540 | 5 yr | 6 | Bachelor's degree (short-term substitutes may need only a substitute license with 60+ credits in some cases) | Yes | March 2026 |
| Wyoming(WY) | Bachelor's degree | Praxis Subject Assessment | $100 | $370–$420 | 5 yr | 5 | Substitute teaching permit requires a minimum of 60 college semester hours (bachelor's degree not required for short-term substituting) | Yes | March 2026 |
LicenseMap covers multiple professions. Check out our other professional licensing databases.
Study guides for Praxis Core and subject-specific teacher exams.
Browse Study Guides on Amazon →As an Amazon Associate, we earn from qualifying purchases.
Shop essential tools and supplies to get started in your career.
As an Amazon Associate, we earn from qualifying purchases.
See the full comparison table above for all 51 states.
In-depth articles to help you get licensed
Moving to a new state?
See which states have reciprocity for Teacher licenses and what's required to transfer.
Explore similar licensing requirements
A complete breakdown of certification requirements, exam prep tips, and alternative pathways for every state — delivered straight to your inbox.
No spam. Unsubscribe anytime. We respect your privacy.