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Earn your Iowa Teacher Certification!

Learn everything you need to know about Iowa Teacher Certification.

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Iowa Teacher Certification Requirements

To become a teacher in Iowa, you must complete the follow steps:

Meet Education Requirements

  • Students must hold a bachelor’s degree from an accredited institution to get a teaching certificate in Iowa.
  • You must complete all required coursework and clinical experiences from your program.

Student Teaching Requirements

  • For standard teacher education programs, 14 weeks of student teaching is required.
  • This is usually completed in the final semester of the teacher education program.

Pass Required Exams

  • Candidates for Iowa teaching licenses are required to pass at least two exams: a Praxis pedagogy exam and subject-specific Praxis exams.
  • Teachers may earn endorsements in more than more subjects if they meet the endorsement requirements.

Apply for Certification

  • To apply for certification in Iowa, educators must fill out an online application form with the Iowa Board of Educational Examiners (BoEE). The application fee is $40.
  • Applicants must answer questions and upload educational transcripts.

Apply for Teaching Jobs

  • Once you have your teacher certification you can now start applying for jobs.
  • You can use job boards and search engines like Google to find open teacher positions in your area.

Most popular Iowa Teacher Certification Exams

Teachers in Iowa must pass the required Praxis exams to become a certified teacher.

Praxis®️ Core Academic Skills for Educators Tests

5752

Official Praxis®️ Core study guide to help you pass your exam!

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Praxis®️ Early Childhood Education

5025

Official Praxis®️ Early Childhood Education study guide to help you pass your exam!

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Pearson Foundations of Reading

190

Official Foundations of Reading (190) study guide to help you pass your exam!

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Praxis®️ Principles of Learning and Teaching: K-6

5622

Official Praxis®️ PLT: K-6 study guide to help you pass your exam!

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Praxis®️ Elementary Education: Multiple Subjects

5001

Official Praxis®️ Elementary Education: Multiple Subjects study guide to help you pass your exam!

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Ways to Get Your Iowa Teacher Certification

There are two pathways to earning a teaching license in Iowa.

  • The traditional path requires attendance at an approved teacher preparation program and a 14-week teaching internship.
  • The alternative path is open to students with a degree in a field of education. This requires 12-18 credits of additional coursework before an intern teaching license is granted.

How to Register For the Exams?

You can follow the following steps to register for your teacher certification exams:

  • Identify Your Exams: Determine the specific teacher certification exams you need to take. If you are a part of a certification program you should talk to your program advisor to determine which exams you need to take.
  • Create an Account: Visit the official testing service website and create an account.
  • Select Exam and Date: Login, choose your exam, and select a convenient test date and location.
  • Complete Registration: Follow instructions, provide necessary information, and pay exam fees online.

How To Study for Your Iowa Teacher Certification Exam(s)

To become a certified teacher in Iowa you must pass your required exam(s). Luckily, we offer a wide variety of study guides to help you pass your exams and get closer to getting that teacher certificate. Our study guides offer practice questions, video lessons, quizzes and full length practice tests to ensure you are ready come test day! Our curriculum team studies all of the standards and competencies for the exams and cross-references them with the current and previous questions released by the official testing company. We then work with content and teaching experts to distill down what test-takers need to know. No matter where you are in the study guide, you can always see how the concept you are learning is aligned to the test standards.

How Do I Maintain Teaching Certification in Iowa?

Educators in Iowa must maintain an active, valid certification. All teachers must meet the licensure renewal requirements for continuing education credits. A standard teaching license renewal requires six credits. Credits must be relevant to license or endorsement areas.

Best Education Schools in Iowa

  • University of Iowa
  • Iowa State University
  • Drake University
  • University of Northern Iowa
  • Northwestern College- Iowa
  • Dordt University
  • Morningside University
  • Wartburg College

Iowa Teacher Salary Information

The average Public School Teacher salary in Iowa is $55,441 as of February 26, 2024, but the range typically falls between $46,293 and $67,626.

Take the Next Step Towards Your Iowa Teacher Certification!

More Iowa Teacher Certification Resources

Praxis Articles

Praxis® – Questions Quick Guide https://www.240tutoring.com/praxis-prep/praxis-questions-quick-guide/

The following article will discuss the structure of Praxis® Core exams and subject assessments.

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What You Must Know About Preparing For The Praxis® https://www.240tutoring.com/praxis-prep/what-you-must-know-about-preparing-for-the-praxis/

We’ll discuss how hard it is to pass the Praxis®, we’ll help you figure out how much you should study, and finally we’ll recommend study guides and free resources to improve your score.

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Do You Know Which Praxis® Exams You Need to Take? https://www.240tutoring.com/praxis-prep/do-you-know-which-praxis-exams-you-need-to-take/

In this article, we will tell you who needs to take the Praxis® test. We will also break down the different types of tests and sort out which one to choose.

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Everything You Need To Know About Praxis® Scores https://www.240tutoring.com/praxis-prep/everything-you-need-to-know-about-praxis-scores/

In this article we will discuss what score you need to pass a Praxis® test, how long it takes to get scores, and how to interpret your score report.

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Your Praxis® Costs & Retakes Quick Guide https://www.240tutoring.com/praxis-prep/your-praxis-costs-retakes-quick-guide/

First, we’ll talk about the cost of a Praxis® test. Then we’ll discuss the number of attempts you’re allowed on the Praxis® and what happens if you fail. Finally, we’ll cover the other costs associated with taking the tests.

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How To Register For A Praxis® Exam https://www.240tutoring.com/praxis-prep/how-to-register-for-a-praxis-exam/

This article answers your questions about registering for a Praxis® exam.

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What is the Praxis®️ Test https://www.240tutoring.com/resources/what-is-the-praxis-test/

Dive deeper into what the Praxis test is, how to prepare for it, and what to expect come test day.

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50,000 Teachers passed their exam last year with the help of 240!

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Iowa Teacher Certification FAQs

How do I get a teaching certificate in Iowa?

The traditional path requires coursework and 14 weeks of student teaching in Iowa. There are in-person and online colleges in Iowa to earn an initial teaching license. For those with a degree in a teaching field, the alternative pathway requires only 12-18 credits of teaching coursework to earn an intern license.

Can you teach in Iowa without a degree?

No. Iowa teacher certification candidates must earn a bachelor’s degree and complete a state-approved teacher preparation program to be eligible for licensure.

Are teachers in demand in Iowa?

The long-prevalent teacher shortage seems to be waning across the state, with only 333 open teacher positions on the state’s internal job posting system as of August 2023.

How do I become a paraprofessional in Iowa?

This certification is met by completing the following three requirements:

    1. Complete Generalist Certification.
    2. 100 hours of field experience in conjunction with one of the following courses:
    3. Associate of Arts degree in an approved area or 62 approved college credits (Contact Patrice Becicka for approval)

Can you substitute teach in Iowa without a license?

No. To obtain a Substitute License, you must have completed a full state of Iowa-approved teacher preparation program and held, or are eligible to hold, an Iowa teaching license.

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