Becoming a high school teacher typically takes four to five years if you’re starting from scratch with a bachelor’s degree, or as little as one to two years if you already have a degree and pursue alternative certification. The path involves earning a bachelor’s degree, completing a teacher preparation program, passing required exams, and obtaining a state teaching license. Here’s how each step works.
Earn a Bachelor’s Degree
Every state requires high school teachers to hold at least a bachelor’s degree. You have two main options for structuring your undergraduate education. The first is majoring in education with a concentration in a specific subject, such as a Bachelor of Science in Secondary Education with a math or English focus. The second is majoring in the subject you want to teach (biology, history, mathematics) and completing education coursework separately.
A secondary education degree typically requires around 120 semester hours, split between general education courses, your subject concentration, and professional education coursework. At many universities, the professional education component runs about 39 credit hours and covers topics like instructional methods, classroom management, adolescent development, and educational psychology. Most programs require a minimum cumulative GPA of 2.5 to be recommended for licensure, and grades below a C- in education courses generally won’t count toward your license.
If you major in your subject area instead of education, you’ll still need to complete a teacher preparation program before or after graduation. Some students do this through a post-baccalaureate certificate program, which typically takes one to two additional semesters.
Complete Student Teaching
Student teaching is the hands-on training portion of your preparation, and it’s required in virtually every state. You’ll spend a semester (usually 12 to 16 weeks) working full-time in an actual high school classroom under the supervision of a licensed mentor teacher. During this period, you gradually take over lesson planning, instruction, grading, and classroom management responsibilities.
Student teaching is unpaid, which is one of the biggest logistical hurdles for aspiring teachers. You typically cannot hold another job during this semester because the time commitment mirrors a full teaching schedule. Plan your finances accordingly, as this is often the most expensive semester of your preparation even though you’re paying tuition while working for free.
Pass Licensure Exams
Before you can receive your teaching license, you’ll need to pass standardized exams that prove your competence. The most widely used testing system is the Praxis series, published by ETS. You’ll typically face two types of tests: a general teaching knowledge exam and a subject-specific content exam in the area you plan to teach (English, math, biology, social studies, and so on).
Each state sets its own required tests and qualifying scores, so the exam you need and the score you must hit depend entirely on where you plan to teach. Check your state’s department of education website for exact requirements. Registration fees for each Praxis exam run roughly $90 to $170, and you can retake them if you don’t pass on the first attempt. Some states use their own proprietary exams instead of or in addition to the Praxis.
Apply for Your State Teaching License
Once you’ve completed your degree, teacher preparation program, and required exams, you apply for an initial teaching license through your state’s department of education. The application process involves submitting transcripts, test scores, background check results, and fingerprints. Processing times and fees vary, but expect to pay between $50 and $200 for the application itself.
Your initial license is typically valid for three to five years. To renew it or advance to a professional-level license, most states require you to complete continuing education credits, mentorship programs, or a master’s degree within a set timeframe. Some states tie salary increases to earning advanced credentials, so this ongoing professional development has financial implications beyond just keeping your license active.
Alternative Certification for Career Changers
If you already have a bachelor’s degree in a field other than education, alternative certification programs let you start teaching while you complete your training. This pathway is faster and less expensive than going back to school for a second degree, and it’s how a significant number of new teachers enter the profession each year.
To qualify, you’ll generally need a bachelor’s degree, a certain number of college credits in your intended teaching subject, and passing scores on a content exam like the Praxis. Some states require alternative certification candidates to teach in a shortage area, such as math, science, or special education.
The process works like this: you enroll in an approved alternative certification program, secure a teaching position at a school (often with the program’s help), and then complete your coursework in the evenings, on weekends, or during the summer while teaching full-time during the school day. You earn a full salary from day one. The program typically takes one to two years to finish, after which you receive your standard teaching license. This path is especially appealing if you’re switching careers in your 30s or 40s and can’t afford to stop earning income.
Choosing Your Subject Area
High school teachers are subject specialists, so you’ll need to decide what you want to teach before you get too far into your preparation. Your choice affects your job prospects significantly. Teachers in math, science, special education, and world languages are in high demand in most parts of the country, which means more job openings, potential signing bonuses, and sometimes expedited licensing. Teachers in social studies and English, while always needed, face more competition for available positions.
Your subject also determines which endorsement appears on your teaching license. An endorsement is the official designation that authorizes you to teach a specific subject. If you want to teach multiple subjects, you can earn additional endorsements by passing the relevant content exams and, in some states, completing extra coursework.
What High School Teachers Earn
The national average starting salary for teachers is $48,112, according to the National Education Association. That figure rose 3.4% recently, though after adjusting for inflation, the real increase was just 0.7%. About 35% of school districts, covering roughly 1.5 million teachers, now offer average starting salaries of at least $50,000.
Salaries vary widely by location. Districts in higher cost-of-living areas tend to pay more, and most school districts use a salary schedule that increases your pay based on years of experience and education level. A teacher with a master’s degree and 10 years of experience can earn substantially more than someone just starting out. Many districts also pay stipends for coaching, advising extracurricular activities, or teaching summer school.
Federal student loan forgiveness programs can make a meaningful difference in your financial picture. The Teacher Loan Forgiveness program cancels up to $17,500 in federal student loans for teachers who work five consecutive years in a qualifying low-income school, with the higher amount reserved for math and science teachers. The broader Public Service Loan Forgiveness program forgives remaining federal loan balances after 120 qualifying monthly payments (roughly 10 years) while working for a public school district.
Timeline From Start to Classroom
If you’re beginning as a college freshman, expect the full process to take about four and a half to five years: four years for your bachelor’s degree (including student teaching in your final year) plus a few months for exam results and license processing. Many new teachers begin applying for jobs in the spring of their senior year and start teaching the following fall.
If you already have a bachelor’s degree and go the alternative certification route, you could be in a classroom within a few months of starting the process. The certification coursework continues alongside your teaching for another one to two years, but you’re employed and earning a salary during that time. If you go the post-baccalaureate route instead, add one to three semesters before you’re fully licensed and ready to apply for positions.