Become a Teacher in Ohio

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: 10/20/2016

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 Ohio.

To become a certified teacher in Ohio, 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 an Ohio 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: Ohio Prerequisite Coursework

All states require that licensed teachers at a minimum have a bachelor’s degree. Coursework for teacher licensure in Ohio varies with different state-approved teacher preparation programs but generally involves subject matter mastery and basic pedagogical theory and practice.

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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: Ohio Teacher Preparation

Ohio 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 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. The Ohio Department of Higher Education publishes a list of state-approved teacher preparation programs.

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 Ohio, visit our Ohio 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 following an Ohio Department of Education alternative licensure pathway. Visit the Certification Map Ohio Intensive Pedagogical Training Institute page for more information on Ohio alternative Certification.

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Step Three: Ohio Required Tests

As of September 2013, most Praxis series requirements have been replaced by Ohio’s new test series, Ohio Assessments for Educators (OAE). Under OAE, all teaching applicants must complete and pass a Pedagogical Knowledge Assessment and a Content Assessment.

Early Childhood (PK-3) Certification

• OAE Content: Early Childhood Education (012)
• OAE Pedagogy: Assessment of Professional Knowledge: Early Childhood and Foundations of Reading (090) (For licenses issued on or after July 1, 2017)
• License Type: Early Childhood Education (PK-3)

Middle Childhood (Grades 4-9) Certification

All candidates seeking certification in Middle Childhood are required to take and pass the OAE Pedagogical Assessment of Professional Knowledge: Middle Childhood (002), along with the Content Assessment required for their subject area. For all Middle Childhood licenses issued on or after July 1, 2017, applicants will alo have to attain a passing score on the OAE Foundations of Reading exam.

Adolescence to Young Adult (7-12) Certification

All candidates seeking certification in Adolescence to Young Adult are required to take and pass the OAE Pedagogical Assessment of Professional Knowledge: Adolescence to Young Adult, along with the Content Assessment(s) required for their subject area.

Multi-Age (K-12) Certification

All candidates seeking Multi-Age certification are required to take and pass the OAE Pedagogical Assessment of Professional Knowledge: Multi-Age, along with the Content Assessment(s) required for their subject area.

Intervention Specialist (Special Education) Certification

All candidates seeking Intervention Specialist certification are required to take and pass the OAE Pedagogical Assessment of Professional Knowledge: Early Childhood PK–3 or Multi-Age K–12 (depending on grade level), along with the Content Assessment(s) required for their subject area. Starting July 1, 2017, all Intervention Specialist applicants must also pass the OAE Foundations of Reading exam.

Step Four: Ohio Application Requirements

Candidates seeking teacher certification in the state of Ohio must meet the following requirements:

• Bachelor’s degree (or higher) from an accredited institution
• Completion of a state approved teacher education program
• Passing scores on all Ohio Educator Assessment (OAE) tests
• Background check and fingerprint clearance on both a state and federal level. Visit the Ohio DOE’s Background Check FAQs to find out more about the background check process.

There may be additional methods of certification that have not been covered here. Contact your state education department for more information.

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Ohio Certification Reciprocity

Ohio will accept some teaching credentials from other states, provided proper documentation is included with an application for an Ohio license. Contact the Ohio Department of Education to inquire about your specific situation. Please see our interstate reciprocity disclaimer for more information.

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Ohio 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 in shortage subject areas.
• Policies in place that articulate elements of effective induction: The Ohio Department of Education administers the Ohio Resident Educator Program.
• Average Elementary Teacher Salary: $58,540, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics
• Average Secondary Teacher Salary: $59,660, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics
• Average Number of Vacation Weeks Per Year: 15

Teacher salaries were provided by the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics’ May 2015 Occupational Employment Statistics report.

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Ohio Certification Resources & Links

• Ohio Department of Education

25 South Front Street, Mail Stop 504
Columbus, Ohio 43215
516-466-3593

• Ohio Teacher Tenure
• Ohio Resident Educator Program
• Troops to Teachers Ohio: In Ohio, Troops to Teachers is managed by the Ohio Troops to Teachers Office.
• 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.