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Teaching is a calling of the heart. Those who dedicate their lives to the education of our nation’s children do it with a deep sense of commitment. While a genuine devotion to children and a dedication to your profession drew you to teaching, there are still very specific requirements that must be met in order to obtain a teaching certificate in every state.
These requirements can vary widely from state to state, so, if you are looking into the certification process, it is wise to research the specific requirements of the state in which you plan to teach. Here you will find the requirements needed to become a certified teacher in Idaho.
Requirements for certified teachers in Idaho
To become a certified teacher in Idaho, you must first hold a bachelor’s or advanced degree and also complete a state-approved teacher preparation course. This course must align successfully with the State of Idaho Education Board approved “Idaho Comprehensive Literacy Plan.”
Teaching certification in Idaho also requires testing to ensure that you possess the basic knowledge necessary to successfully teach in your area of focus. Idaho requires teaching certification applicants to pass the PRAXIS general knowledge test as well as a subject area endorsement if they plan to teach at the secondary level. A background check is also required at the time of application, as is the completion of a one-time reading instruction course that has been approved by the state.
Idaho also has an alternative route to certification. This consists of several ways in which a person who has not met the official requirements for becoming a certified teacher in Idaho can still be issued a teaching certificate. These very special circumstances include a provisional authorization when an emergency situation requires the presence of a teacher but no qualified applicant is available.
Another special circumstance that would allow alternative certification would be if a person was highly qualified to teach a certain subject because of his or her education or career, but was not otherwise qualified to be an Idaho certified teacher. While the different routes all have different requirements, all applicants for an alternative teaching certificate are required to submit a $40 deposit and pass a new background check.
Once you are certified to teach in Idaho, your certificate will be valid for five years.
Idaho jobs for licensed Teachers
If you do not hold a college degree, the state of Idaho has many levels of teaching certificates. These include:
- Interim certification
- Early childhood certification
- Online teaching endorsement
- Para-educator licensing
All of these positions have requirements of their own.
If you plan to teach a subject designated as a Teacher Shortage Area (TSA) by the U.S. Department of Education, you might be eligible for student loan deferment or cancellation. The following TSAs have been approved for Idaho for the 2015-2016 school year:
Math
- Basic Mathematics
- Mathematics (Grades 6 – 12)
Science/Technology
- Agricultural Science and Technology (Grades 6 – 12)
- Automotive Technology (Grades 6 – 12)
- Biological Technology Education (Grades 6 – 12)
- Chemistry (Grades 6 – 12)
- Earth Science (Grades 6 – 12)
- Natural Science (Grades 6 – 12)
- Physical Science (Grades 6 – 12)
- Physics (Grades 6 – 12)
History/Social Sciences
- American Government/Political Science (Grades 6 – 12)
- Economics (Grades 6 – 12)
- Geography (Grades 6 – 12)
- History (Grades 6 – 12)
- Psychology (Grades 6 – 12)
- Family/Consumer Sciences (Grades 6 – 12)
- Social Studies (Grades 6 – 12)
- Sociology (Grades 6 – 12)
Foreign Language
- French (Grades 6 – 12)
- German (Grades 6 – 12)
- Spanish
Art
- Dance (Grades 6 – 12)
- Drama (Grades 6 – 12)
- Graphic Design (Grades 6 – 12)
- Music (Kindergarten – Grade 12)
English
- English as a New Language (Kindergarten – Grade 12)
- Humanities (Grades 6 – 12)
- Literacy (Kindergarten – Grade 12)
- Communication (Grades 6 – 12)
- Bilingual Education (Grades 6 – 12)
Health
- Health
- Health Occupations
Other Subject Areas
- All Subjects Kindergarten – Grade 8 (Elementary)
- Birth – Grade 3
- Generalist – Special Education (Kindergarten – Grade 12)
- Gifted and Talented (Kindergarten – Grade 12)
- Hearing Impaired (Kindergarten – Grade 12)
- Nursing Assistant (Grades 6 – 12)
- Physical Education
A full and current list of TSAs for each state is available via the U.S. Department of Education’s Office of Postsecondary Education.
Teaching license reciprocity in Idaho
Idaho participates in a teaching license reciprocity agreement with the National Association of State Directors of Teacher Education and Certification (NASDTEC). When you apply for a teaching certificate in one state using an existing license from another, the “destination state” is actually recognizing your credentials as verification that you are qualified to teach. You must still meet all requirements before you can teach there.
Fortunately, the NASDTEC Interstate Agreement for Educator Licensure streamlines this application process and expedites the goal of teaching in your new state. For more information, see Teaching License Reciprocity Explained.
Disclaimer: Licensing requirements are subject to change. Please visit your state board of education to check for recent revisions to teaching license requirements.
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Categorized as: Teaching License