Become a Teacher in Nevada

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.

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

Praxis™ PLT

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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: $55,700, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics
• Average Secondary Teacher Salary: $57,210, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics
• Number of Vacation Weeks Per Year: 15

Teacher salaries were provided by the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics’ May 2017 Occupational Employment Statistics report.

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Nevada Certification Resources & Links

• Nevada Department of Education

NORTHERN OFFICE

State of Nevada Department of Education
755 N. Roop Street #107
Carson City, Nevada 89701
(775) 687-5980

SOUTHERN OFFICE

State of Nevada Department of Education
9890 S. Maryland Parkway, Second Floor
Las Vegas, Nevada 89183
(702) 486-6458

• Teachers Test Prep: Free online Praxis Study Guides and Praxis Practice Tests, and a variety of preparation options to meet your individual needs, including prep classes, private tutoring, and online prep.
• Nevada Teacher Tenure
• Troops to Teachers Nevada: In Nevada, Troops to Teachers is managed by the Mountain Pacific Region Office
• Become a Substitute Teacher in Nevada