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.

Elementary Education: : A minimum of sixty (60) semester hours of specialized course experiences appropriate for children at this age level, 6 hours of math, 6 hours of reading, 12 hours of language arts, 12 hours of social science, 6 hours of science, 6 hours of health and phys ed, appreciation and creative expression in fine arts including at least two (2) of the following: art, music, drama, dance, and film (six (6) semester hours), supervised planning, observation and teaching experience preferably at both the primary (1-3) and intermediate (4-6) grade levels; or one experience on the elementary level (1-6)

Secondary English: Thirty-six (36) semester hours shall be required of the writing process, American literature, English literature, linguistics, public speaking, comparative literature, multicultural literature, drama, media, mythology, adolescent literature, and journalism.

Secondary Math: 33 semester hours of related coursework required.

Secondary Science: 30 semester hours of related coursework required.

Secondary Social Studies: 33 semester hours of related coursework required.

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.

District of Columbia will accept some teaching credentials from the following states. Contact the District of Columbia Teacher Certification Services 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	Oklahoma
Oregon	Pennsylvania	Rhode Island	South Carolina
South Dakota	Tennessee	Texas	Utah
Vermont	Virginia	Washington	West Virginia
Wisconsin	Wyoming

• Incentives to teach in high-needs schools or shortage subject areas: District of Columbia provides no support for teachers teaching in high needs schools or teachers teaching in shortage subject areas
• Policies in place that articulate elements of effective induction: District of Columbia has no induction policies in place
• Average Elementary Teacher Salary: The average elementary school teacher in District of Columbia makes $55,200
• Average Secondary Teacher Salary: The average secondary teacher in District of Columbia makes$48,350
• Teacher Salary vs. State Average Salary: The average teacher in District of Columbia makes 85% of the salary of the average worker in District of Columbia
• Number of Vacation Weeks Per Year: The average teacher in District of Columbia receives 15 weeks of vacation per year
• Number of Years to Tenure: District of Columbia has no formal tenure policy

• District of Columbia Teacher Certification Services