How to Become a Teacher in Idaho

The state of Idaho offers beautiful year-round scenery, extensive outdoor activities, and numerous opportunities to work as a teacher. Idaho supports its teachers by offering many different routes to certification, excellent starting salaries, and low student-teacher ratios.

While Idaho requires that all aspiring teachers earn a teaching certificate, the state offers a variety of traditional and non-traditional routes to certification. The most common certificate for teaching in Idaho is the standard elementary/secondary certificate.

How to become a teacher in Idaho – traditional route for residents

Two separate teaching certificates are offered in Idaho, the first for elementary (K-8) teachers, and the second for aspiring high school teachers. Requirements are as follows:

Standard elementary certificate:

• Earn a bachelor’s degree from an accredited college or university
• A minimum of 24 semester hours in professional subject matter of elementary education, 6 hours of which must be spent on teaching reading
• An institutional recommendation from an accredited college or university, or
• 2 years of teaching experience
• Earn a passing score on the Praxis I
• Earn a passing score on the Praxis II, Elementary Education and Principles of Learning and Teaching (K-6)

Standard secondary certificate:

• Earn a bachelor’s degree from an accredited college or university
• A minimum of 20 semester hours in professional subject matter of elementary education, 3 hours of which must be spent on teaching reading
• 20 semester hours teaching in the field
• An institutional recommendation from an accredited college or university, or
• 2 years of teaching experience
• Earn a passing score on the Praxis I
• Earn a passing score on the Praxis II, in both their subject area and Principles of Learning and Teaching (9-12)

How to become a teacher in ID – alternative route for residents

While most teachers in Idaho follow a traditional route to teacher certification, alternatives do exist, including the alternative routes to teaching program, which assists new teachers in earning a credential, and experienced teachers in earning a new endorsement. While programs are specific to school districts and their needs, the general requirements are:

• Earn a bachelor degree from an approved state college or university
• Be accepted to and working in an approved teacher certification program
• Be interested in working in an area of education that is underserved

How to Become a teacher in ID – for out-of-state teacher applicants

Idaho welcomes teachers from other states. Out-of-state teachers who hold a current, valid teaching license will be granted a 3-year standard education certificate while completing all background investigations, testing and other requirements as needed. Once completed, the applicant may apply for a 5 year certificate.

How do I become a teacher in Idaho – necessary exams for residents

Elementary school teachers in Idaho must pass the Praxis I test of basic skills, plus two areas of the Praxis II, the Elementary Education Content Area and the Principles of Teaching and Learning test. Other tests may be taken at the applicant’s discretion.

Secondary school teachers must pass the Praxis I and the two areas of the Praxis II, the first in their subject area and the second in Principles of Teaching and Learning.

What bachelors degree do I need for teaching in Idaho?

Idaho supports its teachers by providing extensive teacher education programs in conjunction with earning a bachelor degree. Most of these bachelor degrees are in education or psychology. Applicants working toward teaching at the secondary level should major in the subject area they wish to teach.

What is a teacher preparation program in Idaho?

Teacher preparation courses in Idaho involve the following:

• Academic coursework on all areas of teaching, including core competencies, teaching strategies and assessment
• Classroom observations on specific academic areas, including math, reading and writing
• One-year student teaching experience to gain practical classroom skills

How do I renew my teacher certification in Idaho?

All teaching certificates in Idaho have 5-year renewals. Teachers must complete a minimum of 6 professional development credits to renew their certification. This can include university hours, in-service trainings or school governance programs.

Where do I go for more information about how to become a teacher in ID?

The following websites have additional information about how to become a teacher in Idaho:

• Idaho State Department of Education

  This official site outlines all areas of teaching certification within the state of Idaho, plus other information relating to Idaho education.

• American Board for Certification of Teacher Excellence

  This site is the official alternative method of certification for online students in Idaho.