Become a Teacher
in Oklahoma

To become a certified teacher in Oklahoma, 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 CourseworkPrerequisite 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. Oklahoma, however, does not have any undergraduate credit hour requirements.

Teacher PreparationTeacher 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. The state of Oklahoma officially recognizes ABCTE certification as a route to earning your Oklahoma teacher certification.

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 ReciprocityCertification Reciprocity

Oklahoma will accept some teaching credentials from the following states. Contact the Oklahoma State 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 Ohio
Oregon Pennsylvania Rhode Island South Carolina
South Dakota Tennessee Texas Utah
Vermont Virginia Washington West Virginia
Wisconsin Wyoming

Teacher SalaryTeacher Salary

  • Incentives to teach in high-needs schools or shortage subject areas: Oklahoma provides differential pay support for teachers teaching in high needs schools and differential pay support and loan forgiveness for teachers teaching in shortage subject areas
  • Policies in place that articulate elements of effective induction: Oklahoma has strong induction policies in place
  • Average Elementary Teacher Salary: The average elementary school teacher in Oklahoma makes $36,870
  • Average Secondary Teacher Salary: The average secondary teacher in Oklahoma makes$37,960
  • Teacher Salary vs. State Average Salary: The average teacher in Oklahoma makes 110% of the salary of the average worker in Oklahoma
  • Number of Vacation Weeks Per Year: The average teacher in Oklahoma receives 15 weeks of vacation per year
  • Number of Years to Tenure: Oklahoma requires 3 years of teaching before a teacher is eligible for tenure

Required TestsRequired Tests

In order to become a certified teacher, you must satisfactorily complete the Basic Skill Test requirement and any Subject Area Competence assessments needed for your desired area of instruction.

Subject Area Competence

Teacher Certification Information & LinksTeacher Certification Information & Links