Ohio Teaching Certification
Ohio requires a bachelor’s degree, a state-approved educator preparation program with supervised student teaching, and passing scores on the Ohio Assessments for Educators (OAE) to earn an initial teaching license. Candidates also complete BCI and FBI background checks. The Ohio Department of Education and Workforce (DEW) issues and renews teaching licenses, with requirements and license durations varying by pathway.
Sponsored School(s)
Ohio swapped its teacher licensing exam for a new one, and many online certification guides haven’t caught up yet. If you’re mapping out how to get licensed here, that change matters more than most other details on this page. Here’s what the Ohio Department of Education and Workforce actually requires today, from your degree through your first license application.
According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, Ohio’s elementary school teachers earned a median annual salary of $77,370 as of May 2025, with high school teachers at $78,800. These are statewide occupational wage estimates, not individual district contract salaries, and actual pay varies by district. Those figures sit above the national medians for both categories, which is worth knowing before you commit to a preparation program.
Use the links below to jump to certification paths, education and testing requirements, the application process, and background check details.
- Find the right Ohio certification path
- How to get your initial Ohio teaching license
- Education requirements
- OAE exam requirements
- Student teaching and field experience
- How to apply for your license
- Criminal background check requirements
- Where to get help
Find the Right Ohio Certification Path for You
Ohio certifies teachers and administrators through several distinct paths, and choosing the right one up front saves you from having to redo paperwork later. Find the situation that matches where you are:
- Initial Teaching Certification…
- I’m a teacher from another state…
- Teacher Certification Renewal…
- Admin./Principal Certification…
- Alternative Teaching Certification…
- Substitute Teaching Permit…
Ohio’s approach to funding and staffing its public schools shapes a lot of what happens in the certification process, including how many alternative pathways the state keeps open. If you want to see how Ohio compares to other states on education investment, the State Education Spending vs. Overall State Revenue page breaks that down. You can also review the sitting Ohio Governor’s education platform directly if policy direction matters to your decision.
How to Get Your Initial Ohio Teaching License
Initial licensure is administered through the Ohio Department of Education and Workforce’s Office of Educator Licensure, which reviews each application against the state’s current preparation, testing, and background-check requirements. Most first-time candidates complete these steps as part of a state-approved educator preparation program, which handles most of the coordination for you. Find schools offering teaching certification programs in Ohio.
Education Requirements
You need at least a bachelor’s degree to become a licensed teacher in Ohio. A state-approved educator preparation program awards degrees to licensure candidates under rules set by the Ohio Department of Education and Workforce Office of Educator Licensure (877-644-6338).
If you completed an educator preparation program out of state, the dean or head of teacher education at that school needs to submit a letter to the Ohio Department of Education and Workforce stating what license you’re eligible for and in which subject area. If you attended college outside the United States, your academic credentials need to be evaluated by one of the agencies listed in DEW’s application packet.
License Types
Ohio issues several educator license types, including Resident Educator and Professional licenses, as well as Senior Professional and Lead Professional designations for educators who meet additional experience and performance criteria. Requirements and license durations vary by pathway, and legislative changes in recent years have altered how some candidates move between tiers. Advancing beyond a Professional license generally involves a graduate degree, years of experience, and a rating of accomplished or distinguished under the Ohio Standards for the Teaching Profession. Confirm the license type and duration that applies to your specific pathway on DEW’s license types page.
Ohio Assessments for Educators (OAE) Exam Requirements
Ohio uses the Ohio Assessments for Educators (OAE) for most teacher licensure areas, while some specialized licenses continue to require Praxis or other assessments. Pearson Education administers the OAE, which tests professional pedagogical knowledge and content-area expertise depending on the license you’re pursuing. Praxis still applies to a small number of pupil-services licenses, including school audiologist, school speech-language pathologist, and school psychologist.
Required assessments vary by licensure area and teaching field. Depending on your license type, you may need a professional knowledge exam, a content-area exam, a Foundations of Reading exam, or the ACTFL Oral Proficiency Interview and Written Proficiency Test for world language licensure. Candidates should verify current testing requirements for their specific license on the Ohio Assessments for Educators website before registering.
Exam codes, fees, and eligibility windows change between testing cycles, so confirm your specific requirements before registering.
Student Teaching and Field Experience
As part of your educator preparation program, you’ll complete a practicum, an observation-based field assignment where you sit in on classroom teachers at work and may help develop and lead lessons.
Later in your program, you’ll move into a student teaching internship, where you take over as classroom teacher for a class matching the grade level and subject you’re seeking licensure in. You’ll apply the classroom management skills you’ve built through observation and coursework, lead instruction, and prepare and deliver lesson plans. A classroom teacher mentor and licensure officials from your preparation program assess your performance throughout. Length varies by educator preparation program.
How to Apply for Your Ohio Teaching License
Ohio’s licensure applications run through ODE.CORE (Connected Ohio Records for Educators), accessed through your OHID account via the state’s SAFE portal. Instead of mailing paper forms, you submit transcripts, OAE score reports, and your application fee electronically through the My Educator Profile tool. Processing times vary depending on application volume and whether all required documentation has been received.
If you completed your preparation outside of Ohio, review the Out-of-State Licensure requirements before you begin your application.
Criminal Background Check Requirements
As part of the application and licensure process for your first educator license in Ohio, you must complete a criminal history background check through the Ohio Bureau of Criminal Investigation (BCI) and the FBI.
You’ll need your fingerprints taken at a WebCheck facility, submitted electronically to the Ohio Department of Education and Workforce. Paper fingerprint or background check submissions aren’t accepted. Find a WebCheck location here.
Where to Get Help
For a list of Ohio schools offering educator preparation programs, visit this database. For questions on educator licensure, contact the Ohio Department of Education and Workforce Office of Educator Licensure at 877-644-6338.
Frequently Asked Questions
What degree do I need to become a teacher in Ohio?
You need at least a bachelor’s degree from an accredited institution, earned through or alongside a state-approved educator preparation program. The specific major depends on the grade level and subject you plan to teach.
What test do I need to pass for Ohio teacher certification?
Most candidates take the Ohio Assessments for Educators (OAE), though some specialized licenses still require Praxis or other assessments. Required exams vary by licensure area, so verify current testing requirements for your specific license.
How long does it take to get an Ohio teaching license?
Timing depends on your preparation program’s length and how quickly you complete your OAE exams and background check. Processing times through ODE.CORE varies depending on application volume and whether all required documentation has been received.
Can teachers from other states get certified in Ohio?
Ohio participates in the NASDTEC Interstate Agreement, but applicants must still satisfy Ohio’s licensure requirements and credential evaluation. Participation doesn’t guarantee automatic licensure. See the full Ohio teacher reciprocity requirements for details on your specific situation.
What’s the difference between traditional and alternative certification in Ohio?
Traditional candidates complete a bachelor’s degree in education and student teaching before earning a license. Many alternative pathways are designed for candidates who already hold a bachelor’s degree in another field, but requirements and license types vary by pathway.
- OAE is the primary exam: Ohio uses the OAE for most teacher licensure areas, though some specialized licenses still require Praxis or other assessments.
- Multiple license types: Resident Educator, Professional, Senior Professional, and Lead Professional licenses each carry different requirements, and durations vary by pathway.
- Applications are digital: ODE.CORE and My Educator Profile handle transcripts, scores, and fees online.
- Background checks are mandatory: BCI and FBI checks through a WebCheck facility, for every first-time license.
- Reciprocity has conditions: Ohio participates in the NASDTEC Interstate Agreement, but applicants must still meet Ohio’s licensure requirements and credential evaluation.
Select your state below to 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.
