Become a Teacher in Nevada

Important Note: Education licensure requirements, statistics and other information are subject to change. CertificationMap.com makes its best effort to keep content accurate; however, the official sources are the state education departments. Please confirm licensing requirements with your state before applying for licensure or renewal. Last updated: 10/16/2016

This page is sponsored by our partner Rossier Online, a master level teaching degree program delivered online that enables you to earn a Master’s degree and teaching credential. Learn more about how the University of Southern California can help you become a transformative teacher in Nevada.

To become a certified teacher in Nevada, you will need to fulfill these requirements:

Step One: Complete a bachelor's degree and other prerequisite coursework required.
Step Two: Complete a state-approved teacher preparation program
Step Three: Pass required exams.
Step Four: Submit a Nevada teaching credential application.

Our goal is to make this process as easy as possible, and we are dedicated to updating CertificationMap.com with new information on a regular basis.

Step One: Nevada 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. Here are Nevada’s undergraduate prerequisites for some of the most popular specialty areas:

Elementary Education: A Nevada Elementary (K–8) License requires a bachelor’s degree in an academic or occupational field of study including completion of a recognized teaching major and 32 semester hours in your specialty area.
Middle School Education: A Nevada Middle School (7–9) License requires a bachelor’s degree in an academic or occupational field of study including completion of a recognized teaching major and 24 semester hours in your specialty area.
Secondary Education: A Nevada Secondary (9–12) License requires a bachelor’s degree in an academic or occupational field of study including completion of a recognized teaching major and 22 semester hours of required credit. Specific subject areas may be added to the Secondary License as a major or minor endorsement, with additional credit hour requirements specific to the field of study.

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Master’s Requirements

Many schools of education now offer online MAT programs that provide increased flexibility by allowing aspiring or working teachers to attend class and complete coursework from any location that has an Internet connection. Online MAT programs are a practical option for students who have professional and personal commitments that make it difficult to obtain teaching certification through a full-time program.

The best online programs offer the same curriculum as the school’s on-campus program and apply the same admission requirements. Providing students with the ability to communicate with instructors and classmates in a face-to-face online environment is another hallmark of a good online program. In addition, candidates in online MAT programs should be provided with the opportunity to complete student teaching fieldwork in the local community.

Click to learn more about getting your MAT online with our partner USC Rossier School of Education.

Step Two: Nevada Teacher Preparation

Teacher preparation includes the completion of an accredited teacher education program. Use the U.S. Department of Education Database of Accredited Postsecondary Institutions and Programs to search for an accredited program.

Typically, teacher education programs consist of a combination of curricula and fieldwork. The curricula often include 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.

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 teacher scholarships specific to the State of Nevada, visit our Nevada 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. See the Nevada Department of Education’s Alternative Routes to Licensure page for more information.

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Step Three: Nevada Required Tests

All applicants seeking their initial teaching licensure in Nevada are required to take the following three Praxis exams: Core Academic Skills for Educators (CORE), Principles of Learning & Teaching (PLT), and Praxis II Subject Assessment(s) for each area of certification.

Praxis™ CORE

Qualifying Score	Required Test(s)	Certification
156 162 150	CORE: Reading CORE: Writing CORE: Mathematics	Completion & passing of all CORE subtests are required for all NV state educators, regardless of area(s) of certification

Praxis™ PLT

Qualifying Score	Required Test(s)	Certification
160 157	PLT: Grades K-6 – or – PLT: Grades 7-12	Completion & passing of PLT test is required for all NV state educators. Select appropriate grade level.

Qualifying Score

Required Test(s)

Certification

160

157

PLT: Grades K-6
– or –
PLT: Grades 7-12

Completion & passing of PLT test is required for all
NV state educators. Select appropriate grade level.

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Step Four: Nevada Application Requirements

The Nevada Department of Education requires that all teaching candidates meet the following requirements in order to obtain their state teaching license:

Bachelor’s degree (or higher) from an accredited institution
Completion of a state-approved teacher preparation program
Initial licensure application and mandated fee
Completed fingerprint card or Livescan form

View the NV DOE’s Educator Licensure checklist for additional information and requirements.

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Nevada Certification Reciprocity

The Nevada Department of Education will accept some teaching credentials from other states on applications for a reciprocal license. Contact the Nevada Department of Education to inquire about your specific situation. Please see our interstate reciprocity disclaimer for more information.

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Nevada Teacher Salary

Incentives to teach in high-needs schools or shortage subject areas: Nevada provides incentives for educators to teach in at-risk schools.
Policies in place that articulate elements of effective induction: Nevada has no induction policies in place.
Average Elementary Teacher Salary: $53,969, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics
Average Secondary Teacher Salary: $54,150, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics
Number of Vacation Weeks Per Year: 15