Michigan Teaching Certification
Michigan teacher certification requires a bachelor’s degree, an approved educator preparation program with supervised student teaching, and a passing score on the Michigan Test for Teacher Certification (MTTC) in your content area. The Michigan Department of Education issues Standard Teaching Certificates through the Michigan Online Educator Certification System (MOECS). Alternative and expedited routes let career changers start teaching sooner while finishing requirements.
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Michigan requires every teacher candidate to hold a bachelor’s degree, complete an approved educator preparation program, and pass the MTTC before the Michigan Department of Education will issue a certificate. Choose the description that best matches your situation:
- Initial Teaching Certification…
- I’m a teacher from another state…
- Teacher Certification Renewal…
- Admin./Principal Certification…
- Alternative Teaching Certification…
- Substitute Teaching Permit…
- None of the above is what I’m looking for…
Initial Michigan Teaching Certification
Michigan’s approved educator preparation programs combine coursework with supervised classroom experience, so candidates meet the state’s certification requirements before applying through MOECS. Find schools offering teaching certification programs in Michigan.
Education Requirements
The Michigan Department of Education (517-373-6791) requires completion of at least a bachelor’s degree from a state-approved teacher preparation program to be eligible for a teaching certificate. Michigan law also requires reading coursework as part of the program: 6 semester credit hours for elementary candidates and 3 for secondary candidates.
If you attended a teacher preparation program in another state, the Michigan Department of Education will recognize your credentials as long as that teacher preparation program is recognized for certification purposes by the Department of Education in that state.
If you attended college in a foreign country, the Michigan Department of Education reserves the right to request a course-by-course evaluation of your credentials at the time of your online application for certification.
Certification Options
The Michigan Department of Education issues various types of teaching certificates based on your qualifications. They include: The
- Standard Teaching Certificate is the initial teaching certificate in Michigan, issued to those who meet educational and examination qualifications. Valid for five years with unlimited renewals.The The The
- Professional Teaching Certificate is an advanced teaching certificate issued after completing three years of successful teaching, along with additional reading and professional learning requirements. Valid for five years.The
- Advanced Professional Teaching Certificate is Michigan’s highest certification tier, available to Professional Teaching Certificate holders who complete an approved Teacher Leader program or National Board certification. An
- Interim Teaching Certificate is issued to applicants with a bachelor’s degree who are enrolled in an alternative teacher certification program, allowing them to teach full-time while completing requirements.
Certificates may be at the elementary level (valid for teaching all subjects in grades K-5, all subjects K-8 in a self-contained classroom, and for subject area endorsements listed on the certificate in grades 6-8) or secondary level (valid for teaching the subject area endorsements listed on the certificate in grades 6-12).
Examinations
The Michigan Department of Education uses the Michigan Tests for Teacher Certification (MTTC) to assess applicants for teaching certificates.
Basic skills testing:
Michigan’s testing requirements have changed several times over the years, and the current MTTC candidate handbook is the best source for your specific requirements. Historically, candidates have needed to clear a basic skills component in reading, writing, and math in addition to their content-area test. Confirm your exact testing requirements with your educator preparation program or the MTTC website before registering.
Content area assessment testing:
If you are a prospective teacher who wishes to receive an endorsement for any of the following subject areas on your Michigan Standard Teaching Certificate, you must pass the corresponding MTTC tests:
- Early Childhood Education
- Elementary Education
- Middle Level
- Communication Arts
- Language Arts
- English
- Journalism
- Speech
- Reading Specialist
- Reading
- Social Studies
- Economics
- Geography
- History
- Political Science
- Social Science
- Psychology
- Sociology
- Science
- Biology
- Chemistry
- Physics
- Earth/Space Science
- Integrated Science
- Physical Science
- Humanities
- Academic Study of Religion
- Philosophy
- Mathematics
- World Language & Culture
- French
- German
- Greek
- Latin
- Russian
- Spanish
- Other
- Italian
- Polish
- Hebrew
- Arabic (Modern Standard)
- Japanese
- Anishinaabemowin Language and Culture
- Chinese (Mandarin)
- American Sign Language
- Bilingual Education
- Bilingual French
- Bilingual German
- Bilingual Greek
- Bilingual Russian
- Bilingual Spanish
- Bilingual Italian
- Bilingual Polish
- Bilingual Hebrew
- Bilingual Arabic
- Bilingual Other
- Bilingual Vietnamese
- Bilingual Korean
- Bilingual Serbo-Croatian/Bosnian
- Bilingual Chaldean
- Bilingual Chinese
- Bilingual Filipino
- Bilingual Japanese
- Business Education
- Business, Management, Marketing,g and Technology
- Marketing Education
- Agriscience and Natural Resources
- Industrial Technology
- Music Education
- Family and Consumer Sciences
- Visual Arts Education
- Visual Arts Education Specialist
- Health, Physical Education, Recreation & Dance
- Health
- Physical Education
- Recreation
- Dance
- Fine Arts
- Special Education
- Cognitive Impairment
- Speech and Language Impairment
- Physical or Other Health Impairment
- Emotional Impairment
- Visual Impairment
- Hearing Impairment
- Learning Disabilities
- Physical Education for Students with Disabilities
- Autism Spectrum Disorder
- Technology and Design
- Miscellaneous
- Educational Technology
- Computer Science
- English as a Second Language
Experience Requirements
During your Michigan teacher preparation program, you will gain much experience that will be vital to you in your teaching career. First comes a practicum, which takes place while you are completing your college courses. Here, you will observe a classroom specific to the grade level and/or subject you are to be certified in, and you may even be asked to lead a lesson or two.
After you complete your academic courses but just before graduation, you will participate in a student teaching assignment in the grade level and subject in which you hope to become certified. Clinical experience and student teaching length requirements vary by approved educator preparation program, so confirm the specific hour and week minimums with your program directly. During this student teaching experience, you will take charge of a classroom under the observation and supervision of the classroom teacher of record, preparing lesson plans and handling daily classroom duties. At the end of your student teaching experience, you will be evaluated by both the classroom teacher-of-record and a certification officer from your college’s teacher preparation program.
Document and Application Requirements
Have you completed all educational requirements, passed the necessary MTTC examinations, and fulfilled both the practicum and student teaching portions of the experience requirement? If so, you are ready to apply for Michigan teaching certification. The Michigan Department of Education requires all applicants for Standard Teaching Certification to apply through the Michigan Online Education Certification System (MOECS). Once you enter your information, your online application will be forwarded to your Michigan college/university teacher preparation program for review and approval. With this system, you must pay all application fees online via credit card only.
After all of your information has been reviewed, verified, and approved, the Michigan Department of Education, Office of Professional Preparation Services, will issue your hard copy Standard Teaching Certificate. This will be mailed to the address you supplied on the online application within 7 to 14 days.
Criminal History Background Check
While a criminal history background check is not necessary to receive a Michigan Standard Teaching Certificate, it is required before you are allowed to work with children in the state. The Michigan State Police and the Federal Bureau of Investigation will conduct a criminal records check once a school district hires you. They use the electronic LiveScan fingerprinting locations to conduct these background checks. You are responsible for paying all associated fees. Once the MSP has conducted the criminal history check, a report will be sent to the Michigan Department of Education, which will, in turn, notify the school district to which you have applied for employment. You will not be authorized to teach at any Michigan school until the district receives a clear report.
Contact Information
If you need more information on approved teacher preparation programs in Michigan, contact the Certification Officer at the institution that interests you.
For more information on the certification process in Michigan, contact the Michigan Department of Education Office of Professional Preparation Services at 517-373-6791 or 517-373-3310.
Michigan Teacher Salary and Job Outlook
According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, Michigan teacher salaries vary by grade level, as shown below.
| Occupation | Michigan Median Annual Wage | National Job Growth (2024-2034) |
|---|---|---|
| Kindergarten Teachers | $63,300 | -1.7% |
| Elementary School Teachers | $65,110 | -2.0% |
| Middle School Teachers | $63,790 | -2.0% |
| High School Teachers | $66,030 | -1.6% |
Michigan-specific job growth projections are not published for these occupations, so the table above shows national BLS projections for context. Despite the modest national decline, the BLS still projects tens of thousands of average annual openings nationwide for these roles due to retirements and turnover, and local demand can differ from the national trend. For a fuller picture of pay scales, pension benefits, and cost-of-living context, see Michigan Teaching Salaries and Benefits.
Frequently Asked Questions
How long does it take to get a teaching certificate in Michigan?
The traditional path, a bachelor’s degree with an approved teacher preparation program, typically takes about four years. Alternative and expedited routes, designed for candidates who already hold a bachelor’s degree, generally take 1 to 3 years, depending on the program and whether you’re teaching under an Interim Teaching Certificate while you complete the requirements.
What test do I need to pass for Michigan teacher certification?
Michigan uses the Michigan Test for Teacher Certification (MTTC). You’ll need to pass the content-area MTTC test that matches your endorsement, and confirm any additional basic skills or professional knowledge testing requirements with your educator preparation program, since Michigan’s testing requirements have changed in recent years.
Can I use an out-of-state teaching certificate in Michigan?
Yes. If you completed a teacher preparation program recognized for certification purposes in another state, the Michigan Department of Education will generally recognize it. See our Michigan Teacher Reciprocity page for the specific process.
What’s the difference between traditional and alternative certification in Michigan?
Traditional certification involves a four-year bachelor’s program, with student teaching completed before you’re hired. Alternative certification lets candidates who already hold a bachelor’s degree teach full-time under an Interim Teaching Certificate while completing MTTC testing and program requirements. See our Michigan Alternative Teaching Certification page for details.
Do I need a background check to become a teacher in Michigan?
A background check isn’t required to receive your Standard Teaching Certificate, but it is required before you can work with students. Michigan State Police and the FBI run a fingerprint-based criminal history check once a school district hires you.
- A bachelor’s degree and an approved prep program are non-negotiable. Every Michigan certification pathway requires both, along with passing the MTTC.
- Reading coursework has specific credit-hour minimums. Elementary candidates need 6 semester hours, secondary candidates need 3.
- Alternative and expedited routes exist for career changers. An Interim Teaching Certificate lets you teach while finishing requirements.
- MOECS is the only application system. All Standard Teaching Certificate applications go through the Michigan Online Educator Certification System.
- A background check comes after hiring, not before certification. It’s required to work with students, not to receive your certificate.
Find accredited teacher certification programs, application links, and licensing requirements for your jurisdiction.
May 2025 US Bureau of Labor Statistics OEWS wage estimates and 2024-2034 employment projections for Kindergarten and Elementary School Teachers, Middle School Teachers, and High School Teachers, reflect state and national data, not school-specific outcomes. State or district job-growth projections are sourced separately from national BLS outlook data. Conditions vary by school sector, subject area, and district. Data accessed July 2026.
