Here’s your step-by-step guide to finding the path that’s right for you.
Choose your grade level.
Decide if you want to teach Pre-K, K–5, Middle School, or High School.
Choose your subject. Think about:
Subjects related to your degree.
Subjects that align with your military background (if applicable).
Career and Technical Education (CTE) if your military experience fits.
What you’re passionate about—students respond to enthusiasm!
Choose your school type.
Decide if you want to work in a Public, Private, Charter, Religious, Montessori, or another type of school.
Choose the state you want to teach in.
Certification requirements, pay, and benefits vary by state.
See teacher pay by stateFind the right certification pathway for your state.
In-person or online degree/certification programs.
Alternative certification.
Military & veteran-specific pathways.
Apprenticeship programs.
See certification requirementsSign ip for a DoD SkillBridge Teaching Internship with Clear Path for Veterans. Certification can be completed alongside the internship.
Teacher certification, pay, and benefits can vary widely depending on where you plan to teach. Explore the specific requirements for your state to help guide you as you begin your journey to become a teacher.
Alabama Department of Education
alabamaachieves.org/teacher-center/teacher-certification/Alabama Alternative Pathways
alabamaachieves.org/teacher-center/teacher-certification/alternative-certificates/alabamaachieves.org/teacher-center/teacher-certification/other-approaches/Alabama Career and Technical Education Certification
alabamaachieves.org/teacher-center/teacher-certification/career-technical-certificates/Alabama Alternative Partners for Alabama Certification
americanboard.org/alabama/iteach.net/alternative-teacher-certification/alabama-alternative-teacher-certification/https://www.teachersoftomorrow.org/alabama/?utm_campaign=Partner+ReferalsAlaska Department of Education
education.alaska.gov/teachercertificationAlaska Career and Technical Education Certification
education.alaska.gov/teachercertification/certification/district-sponsored-certificates#Limited_Type_M_Career_TechnicalArizona Department of Education
azed.gov/educator-certification/educator-certification-careerArizona Military & Veteran Pathways
azed.gov/teach/troops-educatorsArizona Career & Technical Education Certification
azed.gov/educator-certification/career-and-technical-education-cte-k-12-certificatesArizona Alternative Certification Partners
iteach.net/alternative-teacher-certification/arizona-alternative-teacher-certification/teachersoftomorrow.org/arizona/?utm_campaign=Partner+ReferalsArkansas Department of Education
dese.ade.arkansas.gov/Offices/educator-effectiveness/licensureArkansas Alternative Certification Pathways
dese.ade.arkansas.gov/Offices/educator-effectiveness/pathways-to-licensureArkansas Career & Technical Education Certification
dcte.ade.arkansas.gov/Arkansas Alternative Certification Partners
arkansasteachercorps.org/iteach.net/arkansas-alternative-teacher-certification/americanboard.org/arkansas/California Department of Education
cde.ca.gov/ci/be/become-a-teacher.aspCalifornia Alternative Certification Pathways
cde.ca.gov/ci/be/become-a-teacher.aspCalifornia Career & Technical Education Certification
ctc.ca.gov/educator-prep/cteCalifornia University Partners
https://www.umassglobal.edu/partnership/Business?BUemployerCDE=0011G00000mEVCIQA4&BUrecruiter=AVC1&source=XOBBLPColorado Department of Education
cde.state.co.us/cdeprofColorado Alternative Certification Pathways
cde.state.co.us/cdeprof/altteacheroverviewColorado Career & Technical Education Certification
cde.state.co.us/cdeprof/cte_generalinfoConnecticut Department of Education
portal.ct.gov/D?language=en_USConnecticut Alternative Certification Pathways
ohe.ct.gov/arc/default.shtmlConnecticut Career & Technical Education Certification
portal.ct.gov/sdecertification/vocational-educators?language=en_USDelaware Department of Education
doe.k12.de.us/certificationDelaware Alternative Certification Pathways
education.delaware.gov/legacy/home/educators/licensure-and-certification/alternative-routes-to-certification/Delaware Career & Technical Education Certification
education.delaware.gov/legacy/home/educators/licensure-and-certification/educators-certification/new-de-educators/career-and-technical/Florida Department of Education
fldoe.org/teaching/certification/Florida Military & Veteran Pathways
fldoe.org/teaching/certification/military/Florida Alternative Certification Pathways
fldoe.org/teaching/certification/pathways-routes/teaching-for-the-career-changer-or-col.stmlFlorida Career & Technical Education Certification
fldoe.org/academics/career-adult-edu/cte-educator-resources/Florida Alternative Certification Partners
iteach.net/alternative-teacher-certification/florida-alternative-teacher-certification/teachersoftomorrow.org/florida/?utm_campaign=Partner+Referalsamericanboard.org/florida/Georgia Department of Education
gapsc.com/ProspectiveEducator/ProspectiveEducator.aspxGeorgia Alternative Certification Pathways
gapsc.com/EducatorPreparation/Non-TraditionalEducatorPreparation.aspxGeorgia Career & Technical Education Certification
gapsc.com/Certification/CertFieldsAndEndorsements/careerTechnicalAgriculturalEducation.aspxGeorgia Alternative Certification Partners
gapsc.com/EducatorPreparation/GaTAPP/GaTAPP.aspxHawaii Department of Education
teachinhawaii.org/Hawaii Alternative Certification Pathways
hawaiiteacherstandardsboard.org/content/preparation-programs-2/Hawaii Career & Technical Education Certification
hawaiipublicschools.org/TeachingAndLearning/StudentLearning/CTE/Pages/default.aspxHawaii Alternative Certification Partners
iteach.net/alternative-teacher-certification/hawaii-alternative-teacher-certification/teachaway.com/courses/hawaii-teacher-certificationIdaho Department of Education
sde.idaho.gov/cert-psc/cert/Idaho Military & Veteran Pathways
mission43.org/Idaho Alternative Certification Pathways
sde.idaho.gov/cert-psc/cert/apply/non-trad.htmlIdaho Career & Technical Education Certification
cte.idaho.gov/educators-5/become-a-cte-educator/Idaho Alternative Certification Partners
americanboard.org/idaho/Illinois Department of Education
isbe.net/Pages/Become-an-Educator.aspxIllinois Alternative Certification Pathways
isbe.net/Pages/ELAlternativeLicense.aspxIllinois Career & Technical Education Certification
cte.idaho.gov/educators-5/become-a-cte-educator/Indiana Department of Education
in.gov/doe/educators/educator-licensing/Indiana Alternative Certification Pathways
in.gov/doe/educators/educator-licensing/alternative-licensure-paths/Indiana Career &Technical Education Certification
in.gov/che/cte/about-cte/Indiana Alternative Certification Partners
americanboard.org/indiana/Iowa Department of Education
educate.iowa.gov/educator-licensure/licenses-authorizationsIowa Alternative Certification Pathways
educate.iowa.gov/pk-12/educator-quality/become-educatorIowa Career & Technical Education Certification
educate.iowa.gov/educator-licensure/licenses-authorizations/initial-career-technical-education-authorizationIowa Alternative Certification Partners
iowateacherintern.org/Kansas Department of Education
ksde.org/Agency/Division-of-Learning-Services/Teacher-Licensure-TLKansas Alternative Certification Pathways
ksde.org/Agency/Division-of-Learning-Services/Teacher-Licensure-TL/Licensure/License-Requirements/Restricted-Teaching-License-PathwayKansas Career & Technical Education Certification
ksde.org/Agency/Division-of-Learning-Services/Teacher-Licensure-and-Accreditation/Licensure/License-Requirements/Career-and-Technical-Education-CTE-Specialized-CertificateKansas Alternative Certification Partners
fhsu.edu/cert/wichita.edu/academics/applied_studies/School_of_Education/Programs/masters/T2T/index.phpKentucky Department of Education
education.ky.gov/edcert/Pages/default.aspxKentucky Military & Veteran Pathways
goteachky.com/veterans-to-educators/#:~:text=The%20Kentucky%20Veterans%20to%20Educators,content%20area%20or%20meet%20PRAXISKentucky Alternative Certification Pathways
education.ky.gov/edcert/cert/Pages/Alternate-Routes-to-Certification.aspxKentucky Career & Technical Education Certification
education.ky.gov/CTE/cter/Pages/default.aspxKentucky Alternative Certification Partners
iteach.net/alternative-teacher-certification/kentucky-alternative-teacher-certification/Louisiana Department of Education
louisianabelieves.com/teachingLouisiana Alternative Certification Pathways
louisianabelieves.com/teaching/pathways-to-teachingLouisiana Career & Technical Education Certification
teachlouisiana.net/pdf/applications/CTTIEApplication.pdfLouisiana Alternative Certification Partners
iteach.net/alternative-teacher-certification/louisiana-alternative-teacher-certification/lrce.org/teach/Maine Department of Education
maine.gov/doe/certMaine Alternative Certification Pathways
umf.maine.edu/careers/education-student-resources/alternate-approaches-to-maine-teacher-certification/Maine Career & Technical Education Certification
maine.gov/doe/learning/cte/resources/certificationMaryland Department of Education
marylandpublicschools.org/about/Pages/DEE/Certification/index.aspxMaryland Military & Veteran Pathways
marylandpublicschools.org/about/Pages/DEE/Certification/apply/Veterans.aspxMaryland Alternative Certification Pathways
marylandpublicschools.org/about/Documents/DEE/ProgramApproval/MAAPP/Alternative-Preparation-Program-Directory-A.pdfMaryland Career & Technical Education Certification
marylandpublicschools.org/programs/Pages/CTE/CTE_Teacher_Certification.aspxMassachusetts Department of Education
doe.mass.edu/licensure/Massachusetts Alternative Certification Pathways
doe.mass.edu/licensure/emergency/Massachusetts Career & Technical Education Certification
doe.mass.edu/licensure/voctech/Michigan Department of Education
michigan.gov/mde/services/ed-serv/ed-certMichigan Military & Veteran Pathways
michigan.gov/mde/services/ed-serv/ed-cert/cert-guidance/military-guidanceMichigan Alternative Certification Pathways
michigan.gov/mde/services/ed-serv/ed-cert/cert-guidance/becoming-a-teacher/alternative-routes-to-teacher-cert-or-endorsementMichigan Career & Technical Education Certification
michigan.gov/mde/services/octe/educators/cte-teachersMichigan Alternative Certification Partners
teachersoftomorrow.org/michigan/Minnesota Department of Education
mn.gov/pelsb/aspiring-educators/Minnesota Alternative Certification Pathways
mn.gov/pelsb/aspiring-educators/firstlicense/tier1tier2/tier1tier2.jspMinnesota Career & Technical Education Certification
education.mn.gov/MDE/dse/cte/lic/Mississippi Department of Education
mdek12.org/OELMississippi Military & Veteran Pathways
mdek12.org/OTL/MTRMississippi Alternative Certification Pathways
mdek12.org/OTL/OEL/AlternateMississippi Career & Technical Education Certification
mdek12.org/cte/licensuretoteachMississippi Alternative Certification Partners
americanboard.org/mississippi/Missouri Department of Education
dese.mo.gov/educator-quality/certificationMissouri Alternative Certification Pathways
dese.mo.gov/educator-quality/educator-preparation/programsMissouri Career & Technical Education Certification
dese.mo.gov/college-career-readiness/career-educationMissouri Alternative Certification Partners
americanboard.org/missouri/Montana Department of Education
opi.mt.gov/Educators/Licensure/Educator-Licensure/Educator-LicensesMontana Alternative Certification Pathways
opi.mt.gov/Educators/Licensure/Montana-Teacher-ResidencyMontana Career & Technical Education Certification
opi.mt.gov/Educators/Licensure/Educator-Licensure/Educator-Licenses#93889620-career--technical-licenseMontana Alternative Certification Partners
americanboard.org/montana/Nebraska Department of Education
education.ne.gov/tcert/Nebraska Military & Veteran Pathways
education.ne.gov/tcert/teaching-certificates/teaching-military-certificate/Nebraska Alternative Certification Pathways
education.ne.gov/tcert/alternative-certificates/education.ne.gov/tcert/teaching-certificates/teaching-alternative-permit/Nebraska Career & Technical Education Certification
education.ne.gov/tcert/teaching-certificates/teaching-career-education-permit/Nebraska Alternative Certification Partners
americanboard.org/nebraska/Nevada Department of Education
doe.nv.gov/educator-licensureNevada Alternative Certification Pathways
doe.nv.gov/educator-effectiveness/educator-develop-support/educator-preparation/arl-program-providers/Nevada Career & Technical Education Certification
doe.nv.gov/offices/craleo/cteNevada Alternative Certification Partners
teachersoftomorrow.org/nevada/veterans/iteach.net/alternative-teacher-certification/nevada-teacher-alternative-route-to-licensure/New Hampshire Department of Education
education.nh.gov/who-we-are/division-of-educator-support-and-higher-education/bureau-of-credentialingNew Hampshire Career & Technical Education Certification
education.nh.gov/who-we-are/division-of-learner-support/bureau-of-career-development/cte-programs-in-new-hampshireNew Jersey Department of Education
nj.gov/education/certification/certsandtitles/New Jersey Military & Veteran Pathways
nj.gov/education/rpi/recruitment/spousesandvets/New Jersey Alternative Certification Pathways
nj.gov/education/certification/teachers/New Jersey Career & Technical Education Certification
nj.gov/education/certification/cte/altroute/index.shtmlNew Mexico Department of Education
webnew.ped.state.nm.us/bureaus/licensure/licensure-requirements/New Mexico Military & Veteran Pathways
webnew.ped.state.nm.us/bureaus/licensure/supporting-veterans-active-military-spouses/New Mexico Alternative Certification Pathways
webnew.ped.state.nm.us/bureaus/licensure/supporting-veterans-active-military-spouses/New Mexico Career & Technical Education Certification
webnew.ped.state.nm.us/bureaus/licensure/licensure-requirements/secondary-vocational-technical/New York Department of Education
nysed.gov/New York Alternative Certification Pathways
nysed.gov/college-university-evaluation/alternative-teacher-preparation-programsNew York Career & Technical Education Certification
eservices.nysed.gov/teach/certhelp/search-cert-reqsNew York Alternative Certification Partners
classroomacademy.org/North Carolina Department of Education
dpi.nc.gov/educators/educators-licensureNorth Carolina Military & Veteran Pathways
dpi.nc.gov/educators/troops-teachers/corporal-pruitt-rainey-brass-class-act#:~:text=The%20Brass%20to%20Class%20Act,Reserve%20status%20does%20not%20qualify)North Carolina Alternative Certification Pathways
dpi.nc.gov/educators/educators-licensure/residency-licensureNorth Carolina Career & Technical Education Certification
dpi.nc.gov/educators/educators-licensure/apply-nc-educator-license/further-educator-license-information#CareerandTechnicalEducationCTEProfessionalEducatorsLicense-1235North Carolina Alternative Certification Partners
teachersoftomorrow.org/northcarolina/North Dakota Department of Education
nd.gov/espb/licensureNorth Dakota Military & Veteran Pathways
onestop.vcsu.edu/support/solutions/articles/10000052046-transition-to-teachingNorth Dakota Alternative Certification Pathways
nd.gov/espb/licensure/alternate-access-licenseNorth Dakota Career & Technical Education Certification
cte.nd.gov/teacher-licensingNorth Dakota Alternative Certification Partners
americanboard.org/north-dakota/Ohio Department of Education
sboe.ohio.gov/educator-licensureOhio Military & Veteran Pathways
onestop.vcsu.edu/support/solutions/articles/10000052046-transition-to-teachingOhio Alternative Certification Pathways
sboe.ohio.gov/educator-licensure/licensure-pathways/alternative-resident-educator-licensessboe.ohio.gov/educator-licensure/licensure-pathways/alternative-resident-educator-montessoriOhio Career & Technical Education Certification
sboe.ohio.gov/educator-licensure/licensure-pathways/career-technical-workforce-development-(ctwd)-licensesAlternative Certification Partners
americanboard.org/ohio/teachersoftomorrow.org/ohio/Oklahoma Department of Education
sde.ok.gov/teacher-certificationOklahoma Alternative Certification Pathways
sde.ok.gov/alternative-paths-teacher-certificationOklahoma Career & Technical Education Certification
oklahoma.gov/careertech/educators.htmlOklahoma Alternative Certification Partners
americanboard.org/oklahoma/Oregon Department of Education
oregon.gov/ode/educator-resources/pages/teacher-licensure.aspxOregon Alternative Certification Pathways
oregon.gov/tspc/EPP/Pages/Registered-Apprenticeships.aspxOregon Career & Technical Education Certification
oregon.gov/ode/learning-options/CTE/TLCresources/Pages/CTE-Teacher-Licensure.aspxPennsylvania Department of Education
education.pa.gov/Educators/Certification/Pages/default.aspxPennsylvania Military & Veteran Pathways
education.pa.gov/Educators/Certification/Pages/Veterans-Preference.aspx#:~:text=Military/%20Veterans%20Preference&text=In%20order%20to%20qualify%2C%20a,photocopy%20of%20your%20marriage%20license.Pennsylvania Alternative Certification Pathways
education.pa.gov/Educators/Certification/BecomeAnEducator/CertificationPathways/Pages/CPIntern.aspxPennsylvania Career & Technical Education Certification
education.pa.gov/K-12/Career%20and%20Technical%20Education/CTETeacherCert/Pages/default.aspxPennsylvania Alternative Certification Partners
americanboard.org/pennsylvania/Rhode Island Department of Education
ride.ri.gov/teachers-administrators/educator-certification-0Rhode Island Military & Veteran Pathways
education.pa.gov/Educators/Certification/Pages/Veterans-Preference.aspx#:~:text=Military/%20Veterans%20Preference&text=In%20order%20to%20qualify%2C%20a,photocopy%20of%20your%20marriage%20license.Rhode Island Alternative Certification Pathways
ride.ri.gov/sites/g/files/xkgbur806/files/Portals/0/Uploads/Documents/Teachers-and-Administrators-Excellent-Educators/Educator-Certification/Becoming-an-Educator/Standards-for-Alternate-Route-to-Certification-Programs-FINAL-BoR-Adopted_2009.pdfRhode Island Career & Technical Education Certification
ride.ri.gov/sites/g/files/xkgbur806/files/2023-07/RI-CTE-Requirements.pdfSouth Carolina Department of Education
doe.sd.gov/certification/South Dakota Alternative Certification Pathways
doe.sd.gov/certification/prep.aspxSouth Dakota Career & Technical Education Certification
doe.sd.gov/cte/CTEcertification.aspxSouth Dakota Alternative Certification Partners
usd.edu/Academics/Graduate-Programs/Alternative-Teacher-CertificationSouth Dakota Department of Education
ed.sc.gov/educators/certification/South Carolina Alternative Certification Pathways
ed.sc.gov/educators/alternative-certification/South Carolina Career & Technical Education Certification
ed.sc.gov/educators/teaching-in-south-carolina/cte/South Carolina Alternative Certification Partners
americanboard.org/south-carolina/Tennessee Department of Education
tn.gov/education/educators/licensing/educator-licensure.htmlTennessee Alternative Certification Pathways
tn.gov/education/educators/licensing/educator-licensure/new-to-education.htmlTennessee Career & Technical Education Certification
tn.gov/content/tn/education/educators/licensing/educator-licensure/new-to-education.htmlTennessee Alternative Certification Partners
iteach.net/alternative-teacher-certification/tennessee-educator-preparation-program/Texas Department of Education
tea.texas.gov/texas-educators/certificationTexas Military & Veteran Pathways
tea.texas.gov/texas-educators/certification/military-community-first-respondersTexas Alternative Certification Pathways
tea.texas.gov/texas-educators/preparation-and-continuing-education/becoming-a-certified-texas-educator-through-an-alternative-certification-programTexas Career & Technical Education Certification
tea.texas.gov/academics/college-career-and-military-prep/career-and-technical-education/cte-teacher-resourcesTexas Alternative Certification Partners
teachersoftomorrow.org/texas/https://iteach.net/alternative-teacher-certification/texas-alternative-teacher-certification/Utah Department of Education
schools.utah.gov/licensing/indexUtah Alternative Certification Pathways
schools.utah.gov/licensing/appelUtah Career & Technical Education Certification
schools.utah.gov/cte/educatorendorsementsVermont Department of Education
education.vermont.gov/educator-licensure/become-a-vermont-educatorVermont Alternative Certification Pathways
education.vermont.gov/peer-review-alternative-route-licensureeducation.vermont.gov/educator-licensure/become-a-vermont-educator/temporary-licenseVermont Career & Technical Education Certification
education.vermont.gov/document/edu-educator-quality-transcript-review-worksheet-career-technical-educationVirginia Department of Education
doe.virginia.gov/teaching-learning-assessment/teaching-in-virginia/licensureVirginia Military & Veteran Pathways
education.wm.edu/centers/ttt/Virginia Alternative Certification Pathways
doe.virginia.gov/teaching-learning-assessment/teaching-in-virginia/educator-preparation-becoming-a-teacher/career-switcher-programdoe.virginia.gov/teaching-learning-assessment/teacher-residency-and-apprenticeship-programsVirginia Career & Technical Education Certification
doe.virginia.gov/teaching-learning-assessment/k-12-standards-instruction/career-and-technical-education-cte/industry-credentialingVirginia Alternative Certification Partners
iteach.net/alternative-teacher-certification/virginia-teacher-alternative-route-to-licensure/Washington Teacher Certification
ospi.k12.wa.us/certification/teacher-certificateWashington Military & Veteran Pathways
ospi.k12.wa.us/certification/military-affiliated-educator-certification-applicantsWashington Alternative Certification Pathways
pesb.wa.gov/pathways/alternative-routes-to-teacher-certification/Washington Career & Technical Education Certification
ospi.k12.wa.us/certification/teacher-certificate/career-and-technical-education-applicantsWashington D.C. Teacher Certification
osse.dc.gov/page/teacher-certificationWashington D.C. Military & Veteran Pathways
ospi.k12.wa.us/certification/military-affiliated-educator-certification-applicantsWashington D.C. Alternative Certification Pathways
osse.dc.gov/node/1603531Washington D.C. Career & Technical Education Certification
dcps.dc.gov/cteWest Virginia Teacher Certification
teachwv.com/become-a-teacher/West Virginia Military & Veteran Pathways
teachwv.com/become-a-teacher/military/West Virginia Alternative Certification Pathways
wvde.us/educator-development-and-support/preparation/state-approved-programs/alternative-certification-programs/West Virginia Career & Technical Education Certification
teachwv.com/become-a-teacher/career-tech/West Virginia Alternative Certification Partners
americanboard.org/west-virginia/iteach.net/alternative-teacher-certification/west-virginia-alternative-teacher-certification/Wisconsin Teacher Certification
dpi.wi.gov/licensing/pathways-licensureWisconsin Alternative Certification Pathways
dpi.wi.gov/licensing/pathways-licensure/teachers#Alternative%20Route%20Pathwaydpi.wi.gov/licensing/pathways-licensure/montessori-pathwayWisconsin Career & Technical Education Certification
dpi.wi.gov/te/licensureWisconsin Alternative Certification Partners
americanboard.org/wisconsin/Wyoming Teacher Certification
wyomingptsb.com/licensure/Wyoming Alternative Certification Pathways
wyomingptsb.com/education-resources/alternative-licensing-programs/Wyoming Career & Technical Education Certification
wyomingptsb.com/licensure/educator-permit-information/professional-industry-career-pic-permit/?highlight=Career%20and%20Technical%20Education%20LicenseTeachaway
teachaway.com/Department of Defense Education Activity
dodea.edu/offices/human-resources/work-dodea/licensure
