Become a Teacher
in Connecticut
Certification Roadmap
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Prerequisite Coursework
Teacher Preparation
Certification Reciprocity
Teacher Salary
Required Tests
Teacher Certification Information & Links
Connecticut Highlights
To become a certified teacher in Connecticut, you will need to fulfill all prerequisite coursework, teacher preparation, and testing requirements.
Our goal is to make this process as easy as possible, and we are dedicated to updating the site with new information on a regular basis. To stay up-to-date with the latest in teacher certification, please complete the form in the right sidebar.
Prerequisite Coursework
All states require that certified teachers at a minimum have a Bachelor’s degree. Additionally, some states have undergraduate credit hour requirements for certification in specialty areas. Connecticut teacher certification requires course specific endorsement:
- Elementary Education: State regulations for elementary cross-endorsement require 30 semester hours of course work specifically related to elementary education including six semester hours of credit in language arts, which may include reading, writing, speaking, listening and spelling and six semester hours of credit in child growth and development.
- Middle Grades: A minimum of 15 credits in a specific subject area (English, mathematics, biology, physics, chemistry, earth science, general science, integrated science, social science, history, political science, economics, geography, anthropology, sociology) and a minimum of 12 semester hours credit specifically related to middle grades education
- Secondary Subjects: Generally, the certification regulations require the completion of a total of 30 semester hours of credit (undergraduate or graduate) in the subject you wish to add.
Teacher Preparation
Teacher preparation includes the completion of an accredited teacher education program.
Alternative Certification
Graduates of accredited colleges or universities whose bachelor’s degree was not in education, and who have not yet earned a traditional teaching certificate, can still receive an alternative teaching certificate by satisfying certain requirements. Information about alternative certification in Connecticut is coming soon!
Typically teacher education programs consist of a combination of curricula and fieldwork. The curricula often includes instruction on foundational knowledge and skills, pedagogy (or the art and science of teaching), and preparing students to research, design and implement learning experiences in their field of study. The fieldwork component can include field observations, student teaching, and an internship.
Certification Reciprocity
Connecticut will accept some teaching credentials from the following states. Contact the Connecticut State Department of Education to inquire about your specific situation. Please see our interstate reciprocity disclaimer for more information.
| Alabama | Arizona | Arkansas | California |
| Colorado | Delaware | Florida | Georgia |
| Hawaii | Idaho | Illinois | Indiana |
| Kansas | Kentucky | Louisiana | Maine |
| Maryland | Massachusetts | Michigan | Mississippi |
| Missouri | Montana | Nebraska | Nevada |
| New Hampshire | New Jersey | New Mexico | New York |
| North Carolina | North Dakota | Ohio | Oklahoma |
| Oregon | Pennsylvania | Rhode Island | South Carolina |
| South Dakota | Tennessee | Texas | Utah |
| Vermont | Virginia | Washington | West Virginia |
| Wisconsin | Wyoming |
Teacher Salary
- Incentives to teach in high-needs schools or shortage subject areas: Connecticut provides no support for teachers teaching in high needs schools or for teachers teaching in shortage subject areas
- Policies in place that articulate elements of effective induction: Connecticut has strong induction policies in place
- Average Elementary Teacher Salary: The average elementary school teacher in Connecticut makes $61,530
- Average Secondary Teacher Salary: The average secondary teacher in Connecticut makes$63,290
- Teacher Salary vs. State Average Salary: The average teacher in Connecticut makes 115% of the salary of the average worker in Connecticut
- Number of Vacation Weeks Per Year: The average teacher in Connecticut receives 15 weeks of vacation per year
- Number of Years to Tenure: Connecticut requires 4 years of teaching before a teacher is eligible for tenure
