Nevada Teacher Requirements

Nevada Teacher Requirements

Requirements For Obtaining a Nevada Teacher License

Below is what you need to become a Nevada Teacher:

• Bachelor’s degree with a specific number of semester hours of study in your teaching field; the number varies by the grade level you will teach.
• Teacher preparation program graduation
• Completion of the three Praxis tests
• Background check

Exams Necessary For Licensure In Nevada

• Praxis I
• Praxis PLT
• Finally, Praxis II

Rules For Upgrading Your License

• Obtain a master’s degree or greater; a more valuable degree will extend the timing before you need to renew your license.
• At least three years of teaching experience

Renewal Requirement

• Fifteen education hours from an accredited school or online continuing education provider

Who Provides Certification Support?

You can attain your credentials to teach in Nevada through the Nevada Department of Education. The NDE provides support for teachers in urban and rural parts of the state and has separate offices in the Carson City and Las Vegas areas.

Bachelor’s Degree Rules

You must have a bachelor’s degree in education before becoming a Nevada teacher. You should have a major in education and a minor in the subject you will teach, although it could be the other way around if necessary. The state recommends a focus on education, but that could also be minor if you wish.

The rules for obtaining a license in Nevada will vary surrounding the grade level you will teach. You must complete enough semester hours of study in your field, depending on the students you will educate. The rules are different for each grouping:

1.     Elementary – K-8

You can teach students in elementary class settings if you have a bachelor’s degree with a major in teaching or education and at least 32 semester hours of study in the class you will teach.

2.     Middle School – 7-9

A middle school education entails a bachelor’s degree with a major in teaching and 24 semester hours in your teaching area.

3.     Secondary – 9-12

You can teach in secondary schools with a bachelor’s degree with a teaching major plus 22 hours of study in your course area. You may add other endorsements to your license if you wish, but you would require additional credit hours for whatever studies you complete.

Completing a Nevada Teacher Preparation Program

You must complete a teacher education program supported by the state of Nevada. The program will cover pedagogy and foundational efforts in teaching students in the classroom. The work can include field observations and student teaching efforts. An internship at a school in Nevada may also be necessary. An average program will last for one or two semesters.

You can find one of these programs in various colleges and universities throughout Nevada. Any program endorsed by the United States Department of Education’s accredited postsecondary school system will work for this requirement.

Completing the Tests For the State

Nevada requires all educators to complete these three tests provided by the Praxis organization:

1. Praxis Core

The Praxis Core program is a basic skills test surrounding reading, math, and writing. All prospective teachers must pass the Praxis Core exam.

2. PLT

The Principles of Learning and Teaching or PLT class entails pedagogical concepts. There are separate tests for the K-6 and 7-12 grade levels. You must complete a test surrounding the grade level you will teach.

3. Praxis II

The Praxis II test is a subject area course. The state supports multiple tests for different subjects and general fields, including basic elementary and middle school efforts. The secondary tests involve unique topics for different fields of study.

The state does not accept any other alternate tests. You must complete the Praxis series of exams when advancing with your application.

Finishing the Application

You can complete your application by providing the necessary points you have attained for educational purposes. You must also file the application document and submit the fee to the Department of Education.

A fingerprint scan is also necessary for a background check. The fingerprint scan will go to the FBI. You must also have a Fingerprint Authorization Form ready in your application.

You can send your finished application to either the Department of Education Northern Office in Carson City or the Southern Office in Las Vegas.

Upgrading Your Nevada Teacher License

You will receive a Standard License to teach in Nevada after you complete the application and education process. The license lasts for five years and can be renewed.

You can also upgrade your license to a Professional certification if you wish. You may find more valuable teaching positions and higher-paying jobs if you have a Professional License.

You must have a master’s degree and at least three years of teaching experience to qualify for a Professional License. You will follow the same rules of certification when handling your work.

The length of your Professional License will vary surrounding the degree you hold:

• Your license will be good for six years if you have a master’s degree.
• An education specialist degree holder will have this license for eight years.
• A doctoral degree will allow you to spend ten years before you need to renew your license.

Renewing Your Nevada Teacher License

You will need to meet some continuing education standards when the time comes for you to renew your license. You can renew your credential by completing fifteen renewal hours of learning while you have your license. These renewal hours entail studies on pedagogy, studies in your specialty field, and points on managing educational activities in the classroom.

Your fifteen renewal hours can come from either a regionally accredited college or university or an online course that the Department of Education supports.

You can renew your license through the Nevada Department of Education. You can renew your license as soon as nine months before your current license expires.

Resources

https://certificationmap.com/states/nevada-teacher-certification/ – Rules for becoming a teacher in Nevada

http://www.doe.nv.gov/Educator_Licensure/ – Nevada Department of Education licensing data

http://www.doe.nv.gov/Educator_Licensure/Licensure_Renewals/ – Nevada Department of Education license renewal information