How to Become a Physical Education (PE) Teacher in Idaho

<table border="1"><tr><td><b>Education Required</b></td><td> Bachelor's degree and completion of a teacher preparation program</td></tr> <tr><td><b>Exam Requirements</b></td><td>Praxis Physical Education: Content Knowledge</td></tr> <tr><td><b>Certification Renewal Period</b></td><td>Every five years</td></tr> <tr><td><b>CEU Credits Required for Renewal</b> </td><td>Six semester credits for professional development</td></tr> <tr><td><b>Average Salary for Teachers in Idaho (2018)*</b></td><td>$48,990 (Elementary School Teachers) <br/>$53,660 (Middle School Teachers)<br/>$51,170 (High School Teachers)</td></tr> <tr><td><b> Job Outlook for Teachers Nationally (2016-2026)*</b></td><td>7% (Elementary School Teachers)<br/>8% (Middle School Teachers)<br/>8% (High School Teachers)</td></tr> </table><p><i>Source: *U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS)</i> </p><h3 id="section---EducationPreparationProgram">Education Preparation Program</h3><p>PE candidates in Idaho will need to earn a bachelor's degree and complete an educator preparation program. Many Idaho colleges and universities offer this curriculum through Bachelor of Science in Physical Education programs. Courses cover various physical activities and team sports in addition to movement theory, kinesiology, and teaching methods for physical education. Program requirements also include clinical experiences in schools and a student teaching internship. </p><p>After completing one of these programs, teacher applicants will need to have their school complete the institutional recommendation for an Idaho education credential. </p><h3 id="section---TestingRequirement">Testing Requirement</h3><p>PE teaching candidates will need a passing score of 143 on the Praxis Physical Education: Content Knowledge test. This test will certify them to teach grades 5-9, grades 6-12, or grades K-12. The test will take two hours and is comprised of 120 multiple-choice questions. It will demonstrate candidates' skills in areas such as classroom management, student motivation, curriculum planning, instruction, and student assessment. </p><h3 id="section---FingerprintingProcess">Fingerprinting Process</h3><p>Candidates must pass a background investigation check through the Idaho State Police Bureau of Criminal Identification, the Federal Bureau of Investigation, and the Statewide Sex Offender Registry. Those who passed a background investigation check for a student teaching assignment within the last three years will not need to undergo another one. </p><p>Candidates will need to email the Idaho State Department of Education to request a fingerprint card or visit its office. They can get their fingerprints taken at a local police department or sheriff's office. They will need to mail their fingerprint card, the background check investigation form, processing fee, and the non-criminal justice privacy statement form to the State Department of Education. </p><h3 id="section---InitialTeachingCertificate">Initial Teaching Certificate</h3><p>Idaho requires that PE teaching candidates mail all application materials to the State Department of Education. These include a signed application, processing fee, official transcripts, the institutional recommendation form, and an official Praxis score sheet in addition to the background investigation materials mentioned above. It is important to note that candidates should check with their college to see if they must apply for their certificate through the college of education. Once received, the initial teaching certificate lasts for five years and is renewable. </p><h3 id="section---InitialTeachingCertificateRenewalProcess">Initial Teaching Certificate Renewal Process</h3><p>To renew their initial teaching certificates, teachers will need to mail the following to the State Department of Education: a signed renewal application, processing fee, and official or unofficial transcripts of their six semester credits for professional development. All credits completed for renewal must be relevant to teachers' certification area of PE. Teachers may use in-service hours toward their renewal requirements, with 15 contact hours equal to one semester credit hour. A max of three credit hours can be earned through in-service training.</p>