Idaho Teacher Certification for Out-of-State Teachers
If you are an educator moving to Idaho, you will need to meet certain requirements to earn your in-state teaching license. Continue reading for more information on education and license requirements.
Requirements for Out-of-State Teachers to Teach in Idaho
As an out-of-state teacher, you will need to apply for an interim teaching certificate in Idaho. The application process includes passing several background checks.
<table border="1"><tr><td><b>Required Degree</b></td><td>Bachelor's degree</td></tr>
<tr><td><b>Required Degree Field</b></td><td>Education</td></tr>
<tr><td><b>License Renewal Period</b></td><td>Three years for interim teaching certificate<br/>Five years for initial teaching certificate</td></tr>
<tr><td><b>License Renewal Requirements</b></td><td>Idaho Comprehensive Literacy course and Mathematical Thinking for Instruction course to upgrade to the initial teaching certificate<br/>Six professional development credits to renew the initial teaching certificate</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---EligibilityRequirements">Eligibility Requirements</h3><p>You can apply for Idaho licensure if you have a valid, out-of-state teaching license. You can also apply if you hold at least a bachelor's degree and have completed an approved teacher training program within the last two years. The training program must be approved by the National Council on Accreditation of Teacher Education, Teacher Education Accreditation Council, or the Council for the Accreditation of Educator Preparation.
</p><h3 id="section---BackgroundCheckRequirement">Background Check Requirement</h3><p>The out-of-state licensing process includes passing three background checks from the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI), the Statewide Sex Offender Registry, and the Idaho State Police Bureau. You can either send an email request for a fingerprint card or visit the State Department of Education's office to obtain a fingerprint card. You can visit your local police department or sheriff's office to have your fingerprints rolled.
</p><h3 id="section---ApplicationProcessForInterimTeachingCertificate">Application Process for Interim Teaching Certificate</h3><p>The state of Idaho has several requirements to obtain an in-state license:
</p><ul><li>Completed and signed Idaho Educator Certificate Application
</li><li>Application processing fee
</li><li>Completed background investigation check packet: Includes background check investigation form, instructions for handling fingerprints cards form, non-criminal justice privacy statement form, completed fingerprint card, processing fee
</li><li>Include a copy of your certificate if you did not complete an approved teacher training program within the last two years
</li><li>Official transcripts
</li><li>Provide copies of the scores from any content assessments exams, such as the Praxis, that you took to receive your current, out-of-state teaching certificate
</li></ul><h3 id="section---MovingFromAnInterimTeachingCertificationToAnInitialTeachingCertificate">Moving from an Interim Teaching Certification to an Initial Teaching Certificate</h3><p>Your interim teaching certificate will be valid for three years and you will need to fulfill two requirements during this three-year period in order to upgrade;
</p><ul><li>Complete coursework for the Idaho Comprehensive Literacy course
</li><li>Complete coursework for the Mathematical Thinking for Instruction course.
</li></ul><p>Upon meeting these requirements, you will be able to upgrade your certificate. You will need to supply materials documenting all coursework completed, like test scores or college transcripts. The initial teaching certificate will be valid for five years.
</p><h3 id="section---InitialTeachingCertificateRenewalRequirements">Initial Teaching Certificate Renewal Requirements</h3><p>You must earn six-semester credits for professional development to maintain an active initial teaching certificate. All credits earned must be directly related to the endorsement area listed on your initial teaching certificate. Your school district's in-service hours can count toward the professional development requirement. You will earn one semester credit hour for every fifteen contact hours completed. You can also earn four-quarter credit hours for three-semester credits.</p>