{"id":21464,"date":"2016-02-05T21:12:23","date_gmt":"2016-02-05T21:12:23","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/www.mometrix.com\/academy\/?page_id=21464"},"modified":"2026-03-17T16:22:56","modified_gmt":"2026-03-17T21:22:56","slug":"teaching-certification","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/www.mometrix.com\/academy\/teaching-certification\/","title":{"rendered":"Teacher Certification"},"content":{"rendered":"<p>As you prepare to start your career as an educator, you will likely need to take and pass a teacher certification exam.<\/p>\n<p>To help you prepare for your exam, check out the free practice tests and other resources below.<\/p>\n<h2 class=\"pt-page\"><span id=\"Teaching_Certification_Practice_Tests\" class=\"m-toc-anchor\"><\/span>Teaching Certification Practice Tests<\/h2>\n<ul class=\"yellow_buttons\">\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.mometrix.com\/academy\/aepa\/early-childhood-education\/\">AEPA Early Childhood Education<\/a><\/li>\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.mometrix.com\/academy\/aepa\/principal\/\">AEPA Principal<\/a><\/li>\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.mometrix.com\/academy\/arkansas-foundations-of-reading-exam\/\">Arkansas Foundations of Reading<\/a><\/li>\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.mometrix.com\/academy\/cbest-test\/\">CBEST<\/a><\/li>\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.mometrix.com\/academy\/connecticut-foundations-of-reading-test\/\">Connecticut Foundations of Reading<\/a><\/li>\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.mometrix.com\/academy\/cpace-written-exam\/\">CPACE<\/a><\/li>\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.mometrix.com\/academy\/ctel-practice-test\/\">CTEL<\/a><\/li>\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.mometrix.com\/academy\/national-board-certification-literacy\/\">Early and Middle Childhood\/Literacy: Reading-Language Arts<\/a><\/li>\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.mometrix.com\/academy\/mississippi-foundations-of-reading-practice-test\/\">Mississippi Foundations of Reading<\/a><\/li>\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.mometrix.com\/academy\/mogea-test\/\">MoGEA<\/a><\/li>\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.mometrix.com\/academy\/mtel-communication-literacy-skills-exam\/\">MTEL Communication Literacy Skills<\/a><\/li>\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.mometrix.com\/academy\/mtel-early-childhood-exam\/\">MTEL Early Childhood<\/a><\/li>\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.mometrix.com\/academy\/mtel-english-practice-test\/\">MTEL English<\/a><\/li>\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.mometrix.com\/academy\/mtel-foundations-of-reading-exam\/\">MTEL Foundations of Reading<\/a><\/li>\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.mometrix.com\/academy\/mtel-general-curriculum-exam\/\">MTEL General Curriculum<\/a><\/li>\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.mometrix.com\/academy\/mtel-sheltered-english-immersion-practice-test\/\">MTEL Sheltered English Immersion<\/a><\/li>\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.mometrix.com\/academy\/national-board-certification-mathematics-adolescence-and-young-adulthood\/\">National Board Certification: Mathematics (A&#038;YA)<\/a><\/li>\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.mometrix.com\/academy\/national-board-certification-mathematics-early-adolescence-practice-test\/\">National Board Certification: Mathematics (EA)<\/a><\/li>\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.mometrix.com\/academy\/national-board-certification-science-adolescence-and-young-adulthood\/\">National Board Certification: Science (A&#038;YA)<\/a><\/li>\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.mometrix.com\/academy\/national-board-certification-science-early-adolescence\/\">National Board Certification: Science (EA)<\/a><\/li>\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.mometrix.com\/academy\/nbpts-generalist-early-childhood\/\">National Board Certification: Early Childhood\/Generalist<\/a><\/li>\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.mometrix.com\/academy\/new-hampshire-foundations-of-reading-practice-test\/\">New Hampshire Foundations of Reading<\/a><\/li>\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.mometrix.com\/academy\/north-carolina-foundations-of-reading-exam\/\">North Carolina Foundations of Reading<\/a><\/li>\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.mometrix.com\/academy\/oae-assessment-of-professional-knowledge\/\">OAE Assessment of Professional Knowledge<\/a><\/li>\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.mometrix.com\/academy\/oae-educational-leadership\/\">OAE Educational Leadership<\/a><\/li>\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.mometrix.com\/academy\/oae-elementary-education\/\">OAE Elementary Education<\/a><\/li>\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.mometrix.com\/academy\/oae-foundations-of-reading-exam\/\">OAE Foundations of Reading<\/a><\/li>\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.mometrix.com\/academy\/oae-special-education-043-exam\/\">OAE Special Education<\/a><\/li>\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.mometrix.com\/academy\/parapro-assessment\/\">ParaPro Assessment<\/a><\/li>\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.mometrix.com\/academy\/pect-pre-k-4\/\">PECT PreK-4<\/a><\/li>\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.mometrix.com\/academy\/slla-test\/\">SLLA<\/a><\/li>\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.mometrix.com\/academy\/tx-pact-essential-academic-skills-700-exam\/\">TX PACT: Essential Academic Skills<\/a><\/li>\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.mometrix.com\/academy\/vcla-exam\/\">VCLA<\/a><\/li>\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.mometrix.com\/academy\/west-b-test\/\">WEST-B<\/a><\/li>\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.mometrix.com\/academy\/west-test\/social-studies\/\">WEST-E Social Studies<\/a><\/li>\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.mometrix.com\/academy\/west-test\/special-education\/\">WEST-E Special Education<\/a><\/li>\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.mometrix.com\/academy\/wisconsin-foundations-of-reading-test\/\">Wisconsin Foundations of Reading<\/a><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<h2 class=\"pt-page\"><span id=\"Teaching_Certification_Directories\" class=\"m-toc-anchor\"><\/span>Teaching Certification Directories<\/h2>\n<ul class=\"yellow_buttons\">\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.mometrix.com\/academy\/cset\/\">CSET Exams<\/a><\/li>\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.mometrix.com\/academy\/ftce\/\">FTCE Exams<\/a><\/li>\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.mometrix.com\/academy\/gace\/\">GACE Exams<\/a><\/li>\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.mometrix.com\/academy\/ilts\/\">ILTS Exams<\/a><\/li>\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.mometrix.com\/academy\/mttc\/\">MTTC Exams<\/a><\/li>\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.mometrix.com\/academy\/nes\/\">NES Exams<\/a><\/li>\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.mometrix.com\/academy\/nystce\/\">NYSTCE Exams<\/a><\/li>\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.mometrix.com\/academy\/osat\/\">OSAT Exams<\/a><\/li>\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.mometrix.com\/academy\/praxis-core-test\/\">Praxis Core Tests<\/a><\/li>\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.mometrix.com\/academy\/praxis-test\/\">Praxis Tests<\/a><\/li>\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.mometrix.com\/academy\/texes\/\">TExES Exams<\/a><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<h2 class=\"pt-page\"><span id=\"How_to_Get_a_Teaching_Certificate\" class=\"m-toc-anchor\"><\/span>How to Get a Teaching Certificate<\/h2>\n<p>Obtaining a teaching certificate in the United States involves a series of steps to ensure that educators are well-prepared to teach in K-12 schools. The specific requirements can vary from state to state, but here&#8217;s a general overview of the process:<\/p>\n<ol>\n<li style=\"margin-bottom: 12px;\"><strong>Earn a Bachelor&#8217;s Degree:<\/strong> Most states require aspiring teachers to have at least a bachelor&#8217;s degree from an accredited institution. It&#8217;s essential to choose a major that aligns with the subject or grade level you intend to teach.<\/li>\n<li style=\"margin-bottom: 12px;\"><strong>Complete Teacher Preparation:<\/strong> Enroll in a state-approved teacher preparation program. This can be a traditional university-based program or an alternative route like Teach for America. These programs typically include coursework in pedagogy, classroom management, and student teaching experience.<\/li>\n<li style=\"margin-bottom: 12px;\"><strong>Pass Required Exams:<\/strong> Most states require prospective teachers to pass a series of exams. The Praxis series is commonly used, including the Praxis Core Academic Skills for Educators (Core) test and Praxis Subject Assessments for specific content areas.<\/li>\n<li style=\"margin-bottom: 12px;\"><strong>Background Check:<\/strong> Undergo a criminal background check and provide fingerprint clearance. Schools prioritize the safety of students.<\/li>\n<li style=\"margin-bottom: 12px;\"><strong>Apply for Certification:<\/strong> Submit an application for teacher certification to your state&#8217;s education department or board. Be prepared to provide transcripts, exam scores, and proof of completion from your teacher preparation program.<\/li>\n<li><strong>Continuing Education:<\/strong> Many states require teachers to complete continuing education credits to renew their teaching certificate periodically. This ensures that educators stay updated with the latest teaching methods and standards.<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n<p>It&#8217;s crucial to check with your state&#8217;s education department for the most accurate and up-to-date information, as certification requirements can vary widely across states. Additionally, some states offer alternative routes to certification for individuals with non-traditional backgrounds or career changers.<br \/>\n&nbsp;<br \/>\n<div itemscope=\"\" itemprop=\"author\" itemtype=\"http:\/\/schema.org\/Person\" class=\"author-bio\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" itemprop=\"image\" class=\"author-image\" height=\"127\" width=\"127\" alt=\"Headshot of Mometrix associate Eric Richter.\" src=\"https:\/\/www.mometrix.com\/academy\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/01\/Eric-Richter-scaled.webp\"><div class=\"author-text\"><p class=\"author-name\">By <span itemprop=\"name\">Eric Richter<\/span><\/p><div class=\"author-desc\"><p>Eric is the Product Development Manager responsible for developing and updating the Mometrix Teacher Certification and K-12 products. Eric has a bachelor\u2019s degree in Sociology and a master\u2019s of education in Teaching ESOL.<\/p>\n<\/div><\/div><\/div><\/p>\n<div class=\"home-buttons\">\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/www.mometrix.com\/academy\/\">Mometrix Academy &#8211; Home<\/a><\/p>\n<\/div>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>As you prepare to start your career as an educator, you will likely need to take and pass a teacher certification exam. To help you prepare for your exam, check out the free practice tests and other resources below. Teaching Certification Practice Tests AEPA Early Childhood Education AEPA Principal Arkansas Foundations of Reading CBEST Connecticut &#8230; <a title=\"Teacher Certification\" class=\"read-more\" href=\"https:\/\/www.mometrix.com\/academy\/teaching-certification\/\" aria-label=\"Read more about Teacher Certification\">Read more<\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":207709,"parent":0,"menu_order":0,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","template":"","meta":{"footnotes":""},"class_list":{"0":"post-21464","1":"page","2":"type-page","3":"status-publish","4":"has-post-thumbnail","6":"page_type-directory"},"aioseo_notices":[],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.mometrix.com\/academy\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/21464","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.mometrix.com\/academy\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.mometrix.com\/academy\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/page"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.mometrix.com\/academy\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.mometrix.com\/academy\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=21464"}],"version-history":[{"count":6,"href":"https:\/\/www.mometrix.com\/academy\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/21464\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":290134,"href":"https:\/\/www.mometrix.com\/academy\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/21464\/revisions\/290134"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.mometrix.com\/academy\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/207709"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.mometrix.com\/academy\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=21464"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}