📚 Teacher License Requirements by State

Compare teacher license requirements across all 50 states and DC — experience, exams, fees, and salary data.

Last updated 2026-05-08

By the numbers: 51 of 51 jurisdictions require a state-level teacher license. Apprenticeship and Experience requirements range varies hours. Exam Application Fees range $130–$130. Most state Boards require Continuing Education at every Renewal cycle.

State	License Required	Experience	Exam Fee	Median Salary
ALAlabama	Required	—	$130	$57,765
AKAlaska	Required	—	$130	$82,332
AZArizona	Required	—	$130	$64,405
ARArkansas	Required	—	$130	$55,773
CACalifornia	Required	—	$130	$91,627
COColorado	Required	—	$130	$71,708
CTConnecticut	Required	—	$130	$76,356
DEDelaware	Required	—	$130	$66,397
DCDistrict of Columbia	Required	—	$130	$84,988
FLFlorida	Required	—	$130	$63,741
GAGeorgia	Required	—	$130	$61,749
HIHawaii	Required	—	$130	$89,635
IDIdaho	Required	—	$130	$62,413
ILIllinois	Required	—	$130	$69,716
INIndiana	Required	—	$130	$60,421
IAIowa	Required	—	$130	$59,093
KSKansas	Required	—	$130	$59,093
KYKentucky	Required	—	$130	$59,093
LALouisiana	Required	—	$130	$59,757
MEMaine	Required	—	$130	$64,405
MDMaryland	Required	—	$130	$72,372
MAMassachusetts	Required	—	$130	$81,004
MIMichigan	Required	—	$130	$62,413
MNMinnesota	Required	—	$130	$69,052
MSMississippi	Required	—	$130	$55,109
MOMissouri	Required	—	$130	$59,757
MTMontana	Required	—	$130	$63,741
NENebraska	Required	—	$130	$59,757
NVNevada	Required	—	$130	$67,724
NHNew Hampshire	Required	—	$130	$69,052
NJNew Jersey	Required	—	$130	$78,348
NMNew Mexico	Required	—	$130	$60,421
NYNew York	Required	—	$130	$86,316
NCNorth Carolina	Required	—	$130	$61,085
NDNorth Dakota	Required	—	$130	$63,077
OHOhio	Required	—	$130	$61,085
OKOklahoma	Required	—	$130	$57,765
OROregon	Required	—	$130	$73,036
PAPennsylvania	Required	—	$130	$65,069
RIRhode Island	Required	—	$130	$68,388
SCSouth Carolina	Required	—	$130	$60,421
SDSouth Dakota	Required	—	$130	$58,429
TNTennessee	Required	—	$130	$59,757
TXTexas	Required	—	$130	$62,413
UTUtah	Required	—	$130	$64,405
VTVermont	Required	—	$130	$67,060
VAVirginia	Required	—	$130	$67,724
WAWashington	Required	—	$130	$78,348
WVWest Virginia	Required	—	$130	$57,101
WIWisconsin	Required	—	$130	$62,413
WYWyoming	Required	—	$130	$63,077

Common questions about teacher licensing

Do all states require a teacher license?

No — 51 of 51 jurisdictions require a state-level teacher license. The remainder license at the local or county level, or not at all. See the table above for the per-state breakdown.

How much does it cost to get a teacher license?

Application fees across the states range $130–$130. Renewal fees and continuing education hours vary by jurisdiction — check the state-specific page for the exact numbers.

How many apprenticeship hours does a teacher license typically require?

Required apprenticeship/work experience hours range varies across states, with most states requiring 2–4 years of supervised on-the-job training plus passing a board-administered exam.

Data last verified 2026. Salary data from BLS OEWS. Always verify with your state licensing board.