Idaho Teacher Requirements

Requirements For Earning an Idaho Teacher License

• Bachelor’s degree or greater
• Completion of a state-accredited educator preparation program
• Selection of an endorsement field for your license as an Idaho teacher
• Recommendation from the place you completed your educator preparation activities
• Praxis I and II tests
• Background check data, including a fingerprint file

Tests Necessary For Your Idaho Teacher License

• Praxis I test for general knowledge
• Praxis II test for your field of study
• Comprehensive Literacy Assessment for elementary and early childhood education

Points For Renewal

• Complete six semester credits of professional development courses; you may also need to review the specifics you must take surrounding your field of work

Becoming An Idaho Teacher

The Idaho State Department of Education Teacher Certification department will require a bachelor’s degree for any prospective teacher. Your degree can come from either an accredited school in Idaho or an out-of-state school that follows the National Council for Accreditation of Teacher Education standards for supporting teachers.

You must also complete an educator preparation program. It may take one or two semesters of study to complete the program. However, the work must have accreditation from the Council for the Accreditation of Educator Preparation. You could also finish a non-CAEP out-of-state program, but you must get certification from the state that runs that program. You could apply for an Idaho teacher’s license as an out-of-state applicant at this point.

All teachers must pass the Praxis I basic exam and the Praxis II tests for the subjects they wish to teach. Early childhood and elementary teachers must also pass the Comprehensive Literacy Assessment test.

Student Teaching Activities

Part of your educator preparation program will entail a review of how well you can manage classroom activities through student teaching. The effort also entails seeing how well you can manage a classroom environment. You can review the skills you hold and see what you must do to be more successful in the teaching space.

You may be exempt from student teaching activities if you have two or more years of prior teaching experience. Any student teaching time you have had in the past will not qualify for this point.

Educator preparation programs and student teaching activities are available through various colleges around the state. These include Idaho State University, Boise State University, the University of Idaho, and the Idaho campus of Brigham Young University.

An average student teaching program will last for a full semester, although it may last for two semesters depending on your needs or the study field you will serve.

Selecting an Endorsement

You must select an endorsement you will utilize when attaining your license. The Idaho State Department of Education provides multiple endorsement solutions for different subjects of value. Endorsements are also open for various grade levels, including for Early Childhood Special Education up to the third grade and Standard Exceptional Child education for gifted students.

Testing Points

The Praxis I test is a basic test for all teaching candidates in Idaho to complete. The exam involves a review of one’s writing, math, and reading skills. A passing grade is necessary for all of these points.

The Praxis II test for the specific subject you will teach. There are general tests for early childhood and elementary school educations, plus secondary education segments for various subjects. These include tests for communication, art, math, physical science, sociology, and various foreign languages. Special education tests are also available for different grade levels.

The Comprehensive Literacy Assessment test is necessary for elementary school and early childhood teachers. The test reviewing a teacher’s literacy skills and how well a person can illustrate reading principles and concepts to students.

Other Points For the Application

Your application to become a teacher in Idaho will also require a recommendation for a license from the teacher preparation program you completed. The recommendation should be available as soon as you pass the segment in question. The form is also for people who have less than two years of experience in teaching.

A fingerprint card is necessary for a background check. The card will be utilized in an analysis of your data profile for your educational plans. The work ensures you will be confirmed as a safe person for prospective educational employment, as it reviews state and national directories for criminal purposes.

Points For Renewing Your License

You can renew your license in Idaho after five years through the SDE. Your license will last for five years with each year lasting from September 1 to August 31. You would have to renew your license before August 31 of the year when your license is going to expire.

You can complete six semester credits of professional development courses to meet the standards necessary for your study. At least three of your credits should be on transcripts that are accepted through the current renewal application form.

The semester credits you collect may relate to whatever content areas you’ll serve or pedagogical practices. These may also focus on an area of need from a district administration, although the rules for this point will vary surrounding which district you serve.

Alternative Options For Becoming an Idaho Teacher

You may be eligible to become a teacher in Idaho by completing an alternative option for teaching certification. These include activities for people who might have extra experience in different fields.

You may consider participating in the Teach For America campaign. The education support service requires a two-year commitment, but the successful completion of a campaign will provide the requirement necessary for being a teacher in Idaho.

Idaho also participates in the Troops to Teacher program. The system allows military veterans to become teachers after serving in the armed forces. The program entails training at a reduced cost for veterans. Some of the rules for qualifying to become a teacher in Idaho remain the same, but the program helps veterans learn what they can do when becoming teachers.