Puerto Rico Teacher Requirements

Teacher Requirements

Requirements to Become a Puerto Rico Teacher

Below are the steps that you must take in order to become a Puerto Rico teacher:

Teaching certificate relating to your position
Bachelor’s degree or greater
Completion of the suitable tests
Background check and confirmation of various

Tests to Complete

Any state’s testing requirements may work, but the Praxis I and II exams are the most common

Rules For Renewing Your Puerto Rico Teacher License

Completion of the appropriate contact hours for continuing education

Considerations For Teaching In Puerto Rico

While Puerto Rico has a full department of education and provides support for people looking to be teachers, many of the Puerto Rico teachers come from other parts of the United States. These include native English speakers who can assist younger children in learning the English language and in managing modern concepts.

Who Supports Licensing For Puerto Rico Teachers?

The Puerto Rico State Department of Education provides licensing to teachers who wish to work in the territory of Puerto Rico. These include licenses that work for all grade levels and subject areas.

Language Consideration

While Spanish and English are both spoken in Puerto Rico, teachers who wish to work in the territory should be native English speakers if possible. Recent government initiatives from the Department of Education are aiming to make English the main language of instruction in Puerto Rico.

Is a Visa Required for a Puerto Rico Teacher?

Teachers in Puerto Rico who come from outside the territory will not require a visa because Puerto Rico is considered a part of the United States. Those who come from outside the United States or any of its territories would have to apply for a work visa. A school district may consult a foreign teacher about acquiring a visa for work purposes.

Reciprocity Consideration

You may be eligible to teach in Puerto Rico if you have a license to teach in another state. The NASDTEC Interstate Contract states that teachers may qualify to teach in Puerto Rico if they hold the proper licenses in their states. Each teacher must complete the necessary rules for certification to make it work.

The reciprocity support in the territory ensures more people will be eligible to teach in the state. Reciprocity statements between Puerto Rico and many states allow for different variations in the certification process. You can check with the standards in your area to see what the rules are and how well they may be managed in Puerto Rico when you’re applying for a position in the territory.

Education Needs for a Puerto Rico Teacher

Most of the standards for becoming a teacher in the territory are consistent with most other states. A bachelor’s degree is a necessity for all prospective teachers in Puerto Rico. You would require a valid license for teaching in your state of origin if you come from outside the territory.

The courses you complete in college should be relevant to whatever study area you wish to support. These include courses relating to your course area and the grade level you will teach. Additional courses in pedagogy are also recommended, although much of your teaching certificate course will focus on handling pedagogy-related tasks.

A teaching certificate relating to your position is also necessary. The certificate may be valid for teaching a specific subject of interest. The certification can include a year of teaching studies and in-class training to help a teacher understand how the instruction process works.

Furthermore, you would attain your teaching certificate through a program in one of the fifty states. There are no teaching certificate programs available within Puerto Rico. However, the territory will accept certificates from any other state in the country.

Tests to Complete

The tests you would complete will likely entail a basic skills exam and a core subject area test. These would be provided by Praxis in most situations, although the option would vary by state. In addition, the completion of the tests necessary in your state may allow you to be eligible to teach in Puerto Rico.

The territory will likely accept passing grades on the Praxis I and II exams. But you can also provide passing exams on any other state-sanctioned test, so long as it fits in with that state’s demand.

Filling Your Puerto Rico Teacher Application

You can file your application to become a teacher in Puerto Rico with the Puerto Rico State Department of Education. The department can review any credentials you have in another state or any equivalents you complete to confirm your ability to teach in your content area and the grade level. You will also require a background check to confirm your identity and other points surrounding your life.

Renewing Your License

You can renew your license through the Puerto Rico State Department of Education. The department requires you to complete the necessary continuing education hours surrounding your license and agreement before you can continue teaching. The timeframe for when you need to renew your license will vary by position, but it should be about three years on average.

You will also likely require six semester hours of study in your field, as it is the most common recertification standard used in various states around the country. You may complete these through various online services, although you could also attend courses in the fifty states if you prefer. Your school can provide more details on what courses are available.

You can file your application for renewal through the same Department of Education while providing certification from the place you took your courses at surrounding your work. The certification should entail highlighting that you completed your work as necessary.