Hawaii Teacher Requirements

Requirements For Earning a Provisional Hawaii Teacher License

• Bachelor’s degree or higher
• Completion of the PRAXIS I and II tests, or holding at least thirty credits in your study field as part of your bachelor’s degree
• Completion of a Hawaii teacher education program
• Background check, proof of education, and a fee as part of the application

Requirements For Earning a Standard Hawaii Teacher License

• Holding full-time experience in teaching within Hawaii for three of the last five years
• Confirmation of all other standards for obtaining a Provisional License

Tests Necessary to Become a Hawaii Teacher

• PRAXIS I and II exams; you may be exempt from some depending on the field you will complete
• Principles of Learning and Teaching; this is for people who have not completed a state-endorsed educational program

Renewal Standards for a Hawaii Teacher

• Verification of Experience for Renewal
• Completing one of the state’s standards for development, including managing content or establishing suitable assessment strategies

A Note on Hawaii

The state of Hawaii uses a single school system run by the Hawaii Department of Education. The standards for licensing and becoming a teacher are consistent on all islands in the state. The HDE can assist you in attaining your license.

Earning Your Provisional Hawaii Teacher License

The Hawaii Teacher Standards Board requires you to attain a bachelor’s degree or higher and complete a teacher education program supported by HTSB. The HTSB will accept any certification program in any state as long as the program has been recognized by that original state’s teacher certification department.

Furthermore, the teacher education program you complete must focus on the subject area you will teach and the grade level involved. You will also work under the guidance of a mentor, providing the support necessary for your work. The study includes working on your teaching skills, utilizing educational aids, and other factors.

You will complete the PRAXIS I and II tests when applying for your license. You could also have a bachelor’s degree that includes at least thirty credits in your preferred field of teaching.

In addition, you can provide proof of your educational experience and test results alongside a background check and the applicable fee for your work in your application.

Understanding the Background Check

Hawaii does not require a background check for its educators when providing licenses, but you will be asked multiple questions surrounding your professional ethics and other standards. Depending on your answers, the state might ask you to undergo a background check before you can receive your license.

A background check will be mandatory once you receive a job from a school. You may also need to provide fingerprints for your background check purposes and to confirm your identity.

Attaining a Standard Hawaii Teacher License

Your introductory license will be valid for three years. You must apply for a Standard License after that three-year period ends. The Standard License is a five-year license that is renewable and grants you the opportunity to teach students in Hawaii.

You can obtain your license by following these requirements:

• Holding a bachelor’s degree from an accredited school
• Completing a state-approved teacher education program
• Meet all knowledge requirements, including passing the PRAXIS I and II tests
• Completing your professional fitness review
• Have full-time teaching experience within Hawaii for at least three of the last five years, preferably consecutively if possible

Testing Needs

All prospective educators in Hawaii must complete the PRAXIS I test. The Basic Skills Test covers general aspects of teaching and knowledge.

The PRAXIS Principles of Learning and Teaching test is necessary if you have not completed a teacher education program endorsed by the state. Furthermore, this includes cases where you have studied outside of Hawaii, as the state’s education programs have different standards. The PLT entails a review of the pedagogical knowledge necessary for leading a classroom environment. The test will cover a general review of your educational abilities and will include content comparable with what you would find in the official Hawaii teaching program.

The PRAXIS II content exam is also necessary for most teachers. Additionally, the test entails a specific field of study and grade level. You will find different content exams for various subjects, including ones for many foreign languages.

You will be exempt from all PRAXIS tests if you hold a current license with the National Board for Professional Teaching Standards.

Exempt Teaching Fields For Testing Purposes

You may not require the PRAXIS II content exam if you plan on teaching one of many fields. The teaching areas that are exempt from these content exams include fields that need additional teachers throughout the state. These include the following fields for study:

• Junior high and high school-level speech
• Hawaiian language
• Hawaiian language immersion
• Various Eastern foreign languages, including Japanese, Korean, Filipino, Chinese, and Russian

These are subjects that the state considers to be essential and critical for students, plus there is a greater demand for teachers in these fields. You can complete a separate test for these languages if you wish, but it is best to have prior language experience when getting here. There may also not be PRAXIS tests available for some of these fields, what with these being extremely specific fields for people to follow.

Renewing Your License

You must renew your standard license between January and June of the year you need your renewal. The Hawaii Teacher Standards Board provides support for license needs. You can utilize the Verification of Experience For Renewal to confirm your work. The form entails the confirmation of teaching activities you have participated in during the past five years.

You can also complete one of these standards for renewing your contract:

• Studying how learners can develop and understand unique learning opportunities
• Reviewing the differences that students in various cultures and fields might hold
• Reviewing learning environments and how they operate
• Managing the general application of content
• Completing assessment standards for students
• Planning for instructional activities

You can complete the state’s Verification of Satisfying Hawaii Teacher Performance Standards Documentation rule. The document will highlight the proper work you have completed and will help you move forward in getting your contract renewed.