Iowa Teacher Requirements

Requirements For Attaining Your Initial Iowa Teacher License

• Bachelor’s degree or greater with coursework in your specific content area
• Completion of a state-approved Iowa teacher preparation program
• Basic skills test within the preparation program
• Praxis II test surrounding your endorsement area
• Completion of a human resources course
• Background check and the necessary application and fee

Converting Your License to a Standard Iowa Teacher License

• Hold at least two years of teaching experience in an Iowa public school or three years in an accredited private school
• Complete a mentoring program
• Apply with the same documentation you used for the Initial License

Exams Necessary

• Basic skills test within your training program
• Praxis II test
• Meeting the necessary endorsement standards if you are focusing on elementary or early childhood education

Renewing Your Iowa Teacher License

• Complete six renewal credit hours
• Agree to the state’s child abuse reporting program

Attaining the Initial Iowa Teacher License

Firstly, to become an Iowa teacher, obtain a bachelor’s degree or greater and to complete coursework in the content area you wish to teach. You must also complete a state-approved teacher preparation program that may last for one or two semesters. Additionally, the prep program will include a basic skills test. The Iowa Board of Educational Examiners can help you enter the field.

Your college education must include enough courses that will meet the endorsement you wish to attain. Therefore, the courses will relate to your subject area and grade level and will confirm your knowledge of the subject matter you will introduce in the classroom.

You must also complete a human resources course. The course focuses on general group relations and understanding how people learn. Thus, part of the course includes understanding how to handle students with disabilities and gifted students alike.

A background check is also necessary. However, the review will occur through the Iowa Division of Criminal Investigation.

A Praxis II test is also a requirement. The test will focus on your area of teaching. You may meet a suitable endorsement for elementary or early childhood education if you plan on teaching those fields.

Additionally, you can provide the sealed transcripts from your studies and complete the Application for Licensure to become a teacher. You must sign and date the application and provide the necessary fee. The Iowa Board of Educational Examiners will receive your application when you finish your work.

You will receive your Initial License after you finish the program. The license will last for two years. It may be renewed twice, but the second renewal will require you to prove you are in a contract position that can lead to you receiving your Standard License.

Getting Your Standard License

A Standard License allows for more opportunities for teaching in Iowa. You will have full certification to teach within the course area or grade level you wish to teach. You will also have substitute authority, meaning you can be a long-term substitute teacher if another person in your grade level and subject area cannot teach for weeks or months. The license lasts for five years and can be renewed as necessary with no limits.

You can obtain your Standard License if you have an Initial License and you have been teaching in an Iowa public school for two years or in an accredited private or out-of-state school for three years.

You must complete a mentoring program endorsed by the state to be eligible for your Standard License. Furthermore, the program covers how to operate a classroom environment and how to establish suitable lesson plans, media, and other work. You will also learn about how to assess students and provide individual guidance to them as the need arises. The program can last for two years on average and will focus on all aspects of teaching that you might need to follow.

The application process is consistent with what you need for your Initial License. You must file the Application for Licensure for this point.

Endorsement Points

Endorsements refer to the subject matter and grade level you can teach. The endorsement will refer to how well you can manage many tasks in your field of study. For example, a teacher who will provide English as a Second Language instruction will need to understand the basics of pedagogy, linguistics, and linguistic diversity. Meanwhile, a teacher in Physics must hold the proper course credits for physics and methods.

The specific rules for what you must complete will vary by endorsement. The Iowa Board of Educational Examiners website provides a full list of endorsements and what courses you must complete for your endorsement in whatever field you wish to teach.

Tests For Licenses

Your preparation class will include a test of your basic math, reading, and writing skills. You will not need to take the Praxis I or any other basic skills test outside of the one you will complete in your teacher preparation program.

You must complete the Praxis II content area test in your endorsement area. The test should be as close to whatever class you wish to teach as possible.

You will not require the Praxis II exam if you are in Endorsement 100, 102, or 106. These are endorsements for early childhood and elementary school education. You would need to meet the educational requirements in those three endorsements instead.

Renewing Your License

You can renew your Standard License when you have six renewal credits during the five years you hold your license. You can find various online and in-state courses that are endorsed by the state education department. These courses focus on helping you develop your skills and become a better teacher in your field. The IBEE can help you renew your license.

You must also complete the child and dependent adult abuse reporter training program when renewing your license. The program entails training people on how to identify and report concerns surrounding child abuse and other issues that might negatively influence a child’s performance or behavior. The training may come from the Iowa Department of Human Services or the AEA Learning System.