Becoming a first grade teacher requires a bachelor’s degree, a state teaching license, and student teaching experience, with the entire process typically taking four to five years after high school. If you already have a bachelor’s degree in another field, alternative certification programs can get you into a classroom in roughly one year. Here’s what each step looks like.
Earn a Bachelor’s Degree in Education
The traditional path starts with a bachelor’s degree in elementary education from an accredited university. These programs combine general coursework (math, English, science) with education-specific classes in child development, classroom management, instructional methods, and curriculum design. Most programs take four years and include increasingly intensive classroom exposure as you progress.
At many universities, you’ll spend three semesters logging roughly 10 hours per week observing and assisting in real classrooms before your final semester of full-time student teaching. By graduation, you may have accumulated over 1,000 hours of hands-on classroom experience. That student teaching semester is where you take over lesson planning, instruction, and assessment under the supervision of a mentor teacher, and it’s often the most demanding and valuable part of the program.
When choosing a program, make sure it’s approved by the state where you plan to teach. Completing a state-approved program streamlines the licensing process and ensures your coursework meets certification requirements.
The Alternative Path for Career Changers
If you already hold a bachelor’s degree in any field, you don’t need to go back for a second four-year degree. Alternative certification programs offer an intensive route that many states recognize. These programs are run by universities, school districts, education service centers, community colleges, and private organizations.
The general process works like this: you enroll in an approved program, complete training focused on classroom instruction, and then teach as a paid intern with supervision and mentoring while finishing your remaining requirements. Some programs offer unpaid clinical teaching instead of a paid internship. Many can be completed in about one year. During that time, you’ll typically need to pass required licensing exams, complete a set number of training hours, and clear a criminal background check.
Programs set their own entry requirements on top of state minimums. Expect screening based on your GPA, basic skills assessments, and demonstration of content knowledge. Once your program determines you’re ready for the classroom, it provides an eligibility statement you’ll use to secure a teaching position. You then apply for a probationary or intern certificate (valid for one year) while you finish the remaining steps toward a standard license.
Pass Your State Licensing Exams
Every state requires you to pass one or more standardized exams before granting a teaching license. The Praxis series, administered by ETS, is the most widely used set of teacher certification tests, though some states have developed their own exams. Each state sets its own qualifying scores, so a passing score in one state may not meet the threshold in another.
You’ll generally face two types of tests. A content knowledge exam measures what you know about the subjects you’ll teach, covering areas like reading, math, science, and social studies at the elementary level. A pedagogy or teaching skills exam assesses your understanding of instructional methods, lesson planning, and student assessment. Some states also require a basic skills test in reading, writing, and math early in your preparation program.
Check your state’s department of education website for the exact tests and scores required. Study guides and practice tests are available through the testing organizations, and many teacher preparation programs build exam prep into their coursework.
Get Licensed in Your State
Once you’ve completed your degree (or alternative program) and passed the required exams, you apply for your teaching license through your state’s department of education. The application typically involves submitting transcripts, exam scores, proof of student teaching or clinical experience, and the results of a fingerprint-based criminal background check. Application fees vary by state but generally run between $50 and $200.
Most states issue an initial or provisional license that’s valid for a set period, often three to five years. During that window, you’ll need to meet additional requirements to convert it to a standard or professional license. These requirements commonly include completing a mentorship or induction program during your first year or two of teaching, logging a certain number of professional development hours, and sometimes earning a master’s degree within a specified timeframe.
If you plan to move to another state later, be aware that license reciprocity varies. Some states accept out-of-state credentials with minimal additional steps, while others require you to pass their specific exams or complete additional coursework.
Literacy Training for Early Grades
Teaching first grade puts you at the center of early literacy instruction, and many states now mandate specific training in evidence-based reading methods for teachers in kindergarten through third grade. These requirements have expanded significantly in recent years as states have adopted laws aimed at improving reading outcomes.
The training typically covers the science of reading, including phonemic awareness, phonics, fluency, vocabulary, and comprehension strategies. Depending on your state, you may need to complete an approved course and pass an end-of-course assessment, or your educator preparation program may already incorporate this training into its curriculum. If you’re entering through an alternative certification route, ask your program whether it covers this requirement or whether you’ll need to complete it separately.
This isn’t just a box to check. First grade is where most children transition from learning letter sounds to reading connected text. Strong preparation in structured literacy methods will define your effectiveness in the classroom more than almost any other skill.
What First Grade Teachers Earn
The national average starting salary for public school teachers is $48,112 for the 2024-25 school year, according to the National Education Association. The national average across all experience levels is $74,495. Your actual pay depends on your state, district, degree level, and years of experience. Most public school districts use a salary schedule that increases your pay automatically as you gain experience and earn additional education credits or advanced degrees.
Beyond base salary, many districts offer benefits including health insurance, retirement plans (often a pension), and paid time off during school breaks. Some districts in high-need areas offer signing bonuses, student loan forgiveness eligibility, or stipends for additional responsibilities like mentoring or coaching.
Landing Your First Teaching Job
School districts typically post elementary teaching positions in the spring for the following school year, though openings can appear throughout the year due to resignations, retirements, or enrollment changes. Start your search on district websites, state job boards, and education-specific job sites.
Your application will usually include a resume, a cover letter, copies of your license and transcripts, and references from your student teaching supervisors or program faculty. Many districts conduct panel interviews where you’ll answer scenario-based questions about classroom management, differentiated instruction, and how you’d handle specific student needs. Some ask you to teach a sample lesson.
Highlight any experience you have with early literacy instruction, classroom technology, and working with diverse learners. Districts hiring for first grade want to know you can manage a room full of six- and seven-year-olds while delivering structured lessons in reading, writing, and math. Volunteer experience, tutoring, and after-school program work all count as relevant experience, especially if you’re a new graduate competing against candidates with more classroom hours.