Table of Contents
Requirements For a Regular I District of Columbia Teacher License
- Bachelor’s degree or higher
- Completion of a teacher preparation program
- Selection of an endorsement you will utilize for teaching purposes
- Completion of the PRAXIS I and II test
- All background check, application document, and fees associated with the license
Requirements For a Regular II District of Columbia Teacher License
- Completion of a district-approved preparation and certification program
- Completion of the PRAXIS Principles of Learning and Teaching pedagogy test
Tests Necessary For Licensing
- PRAXIS I and II tests
- PRAXIS Principles of Learning and Teaching test for a Regular II license
Requirements For Renewing a District of Columbia Teacher License
- Complete 120 hours of courses in four years, with at least half those hours being in the DC content domain table
Considerations For a License
All licenses for education in the District of Columbia are provided by the Washington DC Office of the State Superintendent of Education. The licenses are valid for all teachers operating with the District of Columbia boundaries and are not valid for operation in Virginia or Maryland. You would require a separate license in one of those states if you wish to teach in those specific areas.
The District of Columbia Public Schools organization does not require people to have licenses to teach, but a teaching credential will be required. However, these schools may provide preference to those who have licenses. Those who wish to teach at a private school in the District of Columbia will likely require a license.
You can obtain a license for teaching in the District of Columbia by using the Educator Credential Information System. Afterward, you can earn your Regular I license, which is the initial one used within DC. Furthermore, you can eventually apply for the Regular II license after two years, which will provide a long-term approach to teaching. You can also renew your Regular II license after the four-year period you hold it for ends.
Most schools outside of the District of Columbia provide programs for education that are accepted within DC for your work needs. You must review the reports for your work surrounding what you will utilize for your success.
Obtaining a Regular I License
You must obtain a bachelor’s degree or higher when applying for a Regular I license. You must also complete a teacher preparation program. Various programs are available in Virginia and Maryland.
You should select a field you will focus on during your preparation program. You can earn your endorsement in the subject you will teach. Endorsements are also available in various areas, including ones for elementary and early childhood education. Other endorsements include ones for chemistry, business, and biology for middle and high school students.
The PRAXIS I and II exams are necessary for all Regular I licenses. The PRAXIS II license is to confirm your endorsement in your teaching area.
A background check must occur, plus you will require a fingerprint file. You could get your check with the DCPS Office of Human Resources if you are employed by a public school within the DC area. Those who are not employed by a school should acquire its background check from the FBI.
An application fee of $50 is necessary for all licenses. You should receive your license within a few weeks after you finish the application process.
Receiving a Regular II License
You can upgrade to a Regular II license after the two-year period you hold your Regular I license. The Regular II license is valid for four years, plus you can renew it after that period ends.
You will undergo a preparation program while working towards your Regular II license. The program entails a review of how well you can handle in-class activities and create lesson plans. A mentor teacher will review your work and guide you in the process to help you understand how you can teach students well.
You must also pass the PRAXIS Principles of Learning and Teaching test. The exam will be for whatever subject you will teach and the grade levels you will support.
You will require Form F-2 from the Educator Licensure and Accreditation group when working on the application process.
Exams Necessary
All new applicants must complete the PRAXIS I exam. You must attain a 172 score on the Reading section, 171 for Writing, and 174 for Mathematics.
The PRAXIS II exam is for all those attaining to find endorsements in their subjects and grade levels. The specific test focuses on one’s knowledge of a field of study. The necessary score you require when completing the test will vary by subject. You may also complete multiple tests in your subject, although the specifics you will finish will vary by subject and grade level.
The Principles of Learning and Teaching exam is also a necessity. The PLT pedagogy test involves reviewing educational principles and what you can do when communicating with students. The Early Childhood and Grades 7-12 tests have a required score of 157, while the Grades K-6 and Grades 5-9 tests have a minimum requirement of 160.
Renewing Your License
You must complete 120 hours of professional development courses during the four years of your Regular II license before requesting a renewal. At least sixty of those hours must focus on courses and training activities surrounding what appears in the DC content domain table. Some of these actions for study entail:
- Building your knowledge of the content you support
- Improving how well you can manage instructional activities
- Learning how to handle school leadership skills and other strategies of value
- Focusing on the study of local and national educational standards and initiatives
- Building your knowledge of the best practices for education
You can complete the renewal process a few months before your license expires. All the professional development courses you complete must be from accredited institutions recognized by the district. You must also provide passing grades that highlight your performance in general.
The district State Superintendent’s office can assist you in renewing your license.
