How To Become a Teacher in Oregon 2025

<p>In Oregon, aspiring teachers can follow multiple pathways to secure teaching credentials, one of the most common being to earn the Preliminary Teaching License. New teachers secure this license after completing an approved teacher preparation program and meeting certification requirements such as passing NES or Praxis tests, earning a subject matter or grade level endorsement, and completing background checks. If you're ready to begin your career, read on to learn more about the requirements to become a teacher via the Preliminary Teaching License. </p> <h3 id="section---Step1DecideWhatSubjectAndGradeLevelYouWantToTeach">Step 1: Decide What Subject and Grade Level You Want To Teach</h3> <p>Typically, earning a bachelor's degree while completing a teacher certification program is the <a href="https://learn.org/articles/fastest_program_to_become_a_teacher.html">fastest way to become a teacher</a> &mdash; but you shouldn't pick a degree and certificate program without first determining the grade level and subjects you plan to teach. Below, we'll highlight how to start teaching careers in elementary schools, middle schools, and high schools, so you'll get an idea of which program is best for you. </p> <h4 id="section---BecomingAnElementarySchoolTeacher">Becoming an Elementary School Teacher</h4> <p>Elementary school teachers in Oregon usually teach multiple subjects (e.g., math, science, language arts, and social studies) to a group of students in a K-5 setting. If you're interested in teaching elementary students, you must hold at least a bachelor's degree. In public schools, an Oregon teaching certificate with an Elementary - Multiple Subjects endorsement is also required. </p> <h4 id="section---BecomingAMiddleSchoolTeacher">Becoming a Middle School Teacher</h4> <p>Middle school teachers commonly teach one subject area and grade level in schools that educate students in grades five to eight. Individuals who want to teach at these grade levels must meet several middle school teacher educational requirements. In addition to holding at least a bachelor's degree, aspiring teachers in public schools must secure an Oregon teaching license with an endorsement for the subject (e.g., foundational math, science, social studies, etc.) and grade levels(s) they intend to teach. </p> <h4 id="section---BecomingAHighSchoolTeacher">Becoming a High School Teacher</h4> <p>High schools typically house grades nine through 12, with educators teaching one subject and grade level. Oregon's high school teacher educational requirements are mostly the same as those for middle school teachers. Candidates looking to teach in public schools must hold a bachelor's degree and an Oregon teaching license with an endorsement for the subject (e.g., physics, biology, art, drama, etc.) and grade levels(s) they intend to teach. </p> <h3 id="section---Step2ChooseYourMajor">Step 2: Choose Your Major</h3> <p>Next, it's time to choose a major that aligns with your goals for teaching in K-12 classrooms. Suppose that you want to teach multiple subjects in an elementary school. You can choose an elementary education major that leads to initial licensure in Oregon. </p> <p>If you want to become a middle school or high school teacher, you could major in education, teaching, or secondary education and pick a concentration in the subject you plan to teach. Middle school teachers may focus on subjects such as foundational science, advanced mathematics, or health. Future high school teachers can choose from concentrations like business, biology, and chemistry. </p> <h3 id="section---Step3EarnYourBachelorSDegree">Step 3: Earn Your Bachelor's Degree</h3> <p>A bachelor's degree is a key requirement to teach in Oregon schools. Fortunately, colleges and universities throughout the state offer bachelor's teacher preparation programs, with appropriate student teaching experience, to ensure students gain the necessary classroom skills. </p> <p>Education courses in bachelor's programs often teach the foundations of classroom management, lesson planning, and curriculum development. However, specific concepts taught often vary by major. For instance, educators interested in teaching early childhood education or special education may spend more time learning how to provide personalized instruction than traditional K-12 educators. </p> <h3 id="section---Step4ConsiderAMasterSDegree">Step 4: Consider a Master's Degree</h3> <p>Master's degrees can offer the same pathway to licensure as bachelor's programs. However, these advanced degrees are not required to teach in the state. So, why earn a master's degree? It offers greater opportunities for professional development with advanced explorations of assessment and evaluation, educational psychology, and teaching strategies. </p> <p>But that's not all. School districts often prefer public school teachers with master's degrees and are willing to pay higher salaries to candidates with this level of education. Graduate degrees also benefit teachers who expect to one day advance to an administrative role that requires more than a bachelor's degree to qualify. </p> <h3 id="section---Step5PassOregonTeachingExamsAndGainLicensure">Step 5: Pass Oregon Teaching Exams and Gain Licensure</h3> <p>Oregon provides teaching licensure exams from more than one testing company. Depending on the endorsement desired, students might take Oregon Educator Licensure Assessments (ORELA) exams, offered by National Evaluation Services (NES), or Praxis exams, offered by Educational Testing Service (ETS). Your teacher preparation program can help you determine the correct exam(s) to take. </p> <p>Once you've completed your degree, teacher prep program, and testing, you're ready to secure a Preliminary Teaching License. This process requires you to submit an application and fee through eLicensing, provide your fingerprints and background clearance, and deliver official transcripts verifying your bachelor's degree (or higher). </p> <h3 id="section---Step6ApplyForTeachingJobs">Step 6: Apply for Teaching Jobs</h3> <p>After obtaining your teaching license, applying for jobs is your next step. Districts throughout Oregon look to hire new educators each school year. How can you find these roles? Consider the following tips: </p> <ul><li><b>Seek guidance from your school:</b> Most colleges offer career services to help students find job openings, write resumes, and excel in interviews. </li><li><b>Talk to other educators:</b> Networking on social media and at professional conferences can help new teachers find job openings in the area. </li><li><b>Explore job sites and apps:</b> Many apps and websites dedicated to job searches are available to help new teachers find opportunities in Oregon. </li></ul><h2 id="section---HowToChooseTheRightTeachingDegreeProgram">How To Choose the Right Teaching Degree Program</h2> <p>Selecting the right education degree program ensures you gain the academic background and classroom experience to sit for certification exams in your endorsement area. If you want to teach in elementary schools, you'll pick a program that covers multiple subjects and offers student teaching opportunities in elementary settings. </p> <p>Learners interested in middle or high school teaching jobs will pick a program that focuses on their endorsement area (e.g., art, music, physical education, integrated science, English language arts, or world languages). These programs should also include student teaching options for necessary classroom experience. </p> <h2 id="section---FAQsAboutBecomingATeacherInOregon">FAQs About Becoming a Teacher in Oregon</h2> <p>Are you ready to become an Oregon school teacher? Review the following FAQs to learn more about the process of starting this career. </p> <h3 id="section---WhatDegreeDoYouNeedToBeATeacherInOregon">What Degree Do You Need To Be a Teacher in Oregon?</h3> <p>If you are interested in working as a teacher in Oregon schools, you'll need to earn at least a bachelor's degree. In many cases, prospective teachers complete an education program (e.g., elementary education, secondary education, special education, etc.); however, any major works as long as you complete a teacher preparation program that includes student teaching and prepares enrollees for a preliminary license. </p> <h3 id="section---HowLongDoesItTakeToBecomeATeacherInOregon">How Long Does It Take To Become a Teacher in Oregon?</h3> <p>Whether you want to <a href="https://learn.org/articles/Kindergarten_Teacher_How_to_Become_a_Kindergarten_Teacher_in_5_Steps.html">become a kindergarten teacher</a> or educate students in high schools, securing licensure generally takes about four years for full-time learners. This process includes completing teacher education coursework, practicums or internships (student teaching experiences), and any required exams. If you want to finish sooner, accelerated programs are available to help aspiring teachers start their careers in less time. </p> <h3 id="section---DoRequirementsDifferAtPrivateSchoolsAndPublicSchools">Do Requirements Differ at Private Schools and Public Schools?</h3> <p>Yes, requirements differ for private and public school teachers in Oregon. The Oregon Department of Education (ODE) doesn't have oversight of private schools in the state. Each institution develops its own policy on teacher qualifications. The ODE states that private school teachers aren't required to obtain or maintain a valid teaching license; however, individual schools might mandate licensure. </p> <h3 id="section---HowLongDoesMyTeacherCertificationLastInOregon">How Long Does My Teacher Certification Last in Oregon?</h3> <p>The length of time teacher certification lasts in Oregon varies by license. For instance, the Preliminary Teaching License has a term of three years. On the other hand, the Professional Teaching License, issued to experienced teachers who have demonstrated an advanced level of educator knowledge and skills, lasts five years. </p> <h2 id="section---ExploreOnlineEducationPrograms">Explore Online Education Programs</h2> <p>Begin your journey as a certified teacher by exploring the accredited degree programs on Learn.org. Contact schools directly to discover ways they can help you achieve your goals.</p>