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A Teacher's Certificate is required to teach at most grade schools, high schools, colleges and universities. You must meet state
certification requirements before advancing in the education field. The State Board of Education,
usually a division within the Department of Education, determines these requirements. The bare
minimum educational requirement is usually a Bachelors degree.
Educators in the United States are influenced by the National Board for Professional
Teaching Standards (NBPTS). Expect to take exams. Teachers of all levels who work in public schools are likely to be fingerprinted and face
a background check. Some states allow teaching licenses to be transferable to another states.
Alternate routes to certification are possible, particularly for members of the U.S. Military. Visit your state
government website to find out specific requirements for certification in your state. For more information
on alternative routes to certification visit the U.S. Department of Education website at www.ed.gov.
