Become a Teacher
in Ohio
Certification Roadmap
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Prerequisite Coursework
Teacher Preparation
Certification Reciprocity
Teacher Salary
Required Tests
Teacher Certification Information & Links
Ohio Highlights
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.
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. Coursework for teacher certification in Ohio varies with different state-approved teacher preparation programs.
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 Ohio 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. The Ohio State Department publishes a list of state-approved teacher preparation programs.
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 |
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 has several state-approved first-year programs for teachers
- Average Elementary Teacher Salary: The average elementary school teacher in Ohio makes $51,880
- Average Secondary Teacher Salary: The average secondary teacher in Ohio makes$53,420
- 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
- Number of Years to Tenure: Ohio requires 3 years of teaching before a teacher is eligible for tenure
