Become a Teacher
in Ohio
Certification Roadmap
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Ohio Prerequisite Coursework
Ohio Teacher Preparation
Ohio Certification Reciprocity
Ohio Teacher Salary
Ohio Required Tests
Teacher Certification Information & Links
Ohio Highlights
$54180
Avg. Elementary Teacher Salary
$55870
Avg. Secondary Teacher Salary
151%
Teacher Salary vs. State Average
15
Vacation Weeks Per Year:
To become a certified teacher in Ohio, 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.
Ohio Prerequisite Coursework
All states require that licensed teachers at a minimum have a Bachelor’s degree. Coursework for teacher licensure in Ohio varies with different state-approved teacher preparation programs, but generally involves subject matter mastery and basic pedagogical theory and practice.
There are several different types of Ohio teacher licensure and the Ohio Department of Education offers a nice summary of their requirements in PDF format.
This page is sponsored by Rossier Online, an innovative master level teaching degree program delivered online from the University of Southern California. Click here to learn more and become a teacher in Ohio.
Ohio Teacher Preparation
Teacher preparation includes the completion of an accredited teacher education program.
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. The Ohio State Department publishes a list of state-approved teacher preparation programs.
While the involvement in an education program may seem financially daunting, a number of financial resources specifically for teachers exist around the country. For more information on this, visit our page on scholarships for teachers. For more scholarships for teachers exclusive to the State of Ohio, visit our Ohio Teacher Scholarships page.
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 Ohio is coming soon!
Ohio Certification Reciprocity
Ohio will accept some teaching credentials from the following states. Contact the Ohio Department of Education to inquire about your specific situation. Please see our interstate reciprocity disclaimer for more information.
| Alabama | Arizona | Arkansas | California |
| Colorado | Connecticut | 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 | Oklahoma |
| Oregon | Pennsylvania | Rhode Island | South Carolina |
| South Dakota | Tennessee | Texas | Utah |
| Vermont | Virginia | Washington | West Virginia |
| Wisconsin | Wyoming |
Ohio Teacher Salary
- Incentives to teach in high-needs schools or shortage subject areas: Ohio provides differential pay support for teachers teaching in high needs schools and teachers teaching in shortage subject areas
- Policies in place that articulate elements of effective induction: Ohio Four Year Resident Educator Program
- Average Elementary Teacher Salary: The average elementary school teacher in Ohio makes $54,180
- Average Secondary Teacher Salary: The average secondary teacher in Ohio makes $55,870
- Teacher Salary vs. State Average Salary: The average teacher in Ohio makes 151% of the salary of the average worker in Ohio
- Number of Vacation Weeks Per Year: The average teacher in Ohio receives 15 weeks of vacation per year
Ohio Required Tests
In order to become a licensed teacher in Ohion, you must satisfactorily complete the Basic Skill Test requirement and any Subject Area Competence assessments needed for your desired area of instruction.
Basic Skills Test
- None
Subject Area Competence
- Praxis II: Subject Tests in your specialty area and
- Praxis II: PLT (Principles of Learning and Teaching)
- If teaching world languages: American Council on the Teaching of Foreign Languages
Ohio Teacher Certification Information & Links
- Ohio Department of Education
- Ohio Teacher Tenure
- Ohio Four Year Resident Educator Program
- Troops to Teachers Ohio: In Ohio, Troops to Teachers is managed by the Ohio Troops to Teachers Office
This page is sponsored by Rossier Online, an innovative master level teaching degree program delivered online from the University of Southern California. Click here to learn more and become a teacher in Ohio.
