Oklahoma Teaching Certification
Oklahoma teachers earn certification through the Oklahoma State Department of Education by completing a bachelor’s degree in an approved teacher preparation program, passing the OGET, a subject-area exam, and the Assessment of Professional Knowledge (APK), and clearing an OSBI/FBI background check. Applications go through the Oklahoma Educator Credentialing System, and standard certificates last five years.
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All Oklahoma public school teachers need certification from the Oklahoma State Department of Education (OSDE) before they can lead a classroom. The path you take depends on where you’re starting from: a first-time candidate finishing a teacher prep program, an out-of-state teacher moving to Oklahoma, or someone renewing a certificate that’s about to expire.
Use the list below to find the certification path that matches your situation:
- Initial Teaching Certification: first-time candidates completing a teacher preparation program
- 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 Oklahoma Teaching Certification
If you want to become a certified teacher in Oklahoma, the Oklahoma State Department of Education requires a bachelor’s degree from a state-approved teacher preparation program along with a certification recommendation from that program’s officials. The program must be approved by the Office of Educational Quality and Accountability (OEQA).
Completed your teacher training outside of Oklahoma? If your college or university is regionally accredited, you may qualify for a provisional certificate that lets you finish any Oklahoma-specific requirements you’re missing. You and your program’s officials will also need to complete OSDE’s verification form confirming your out-of-state program’s approval status. If you trained in another country, your transcripts and credentials must be evaluated by an OSDE-approved foreign credential evaluation agency before you can move forward.
Certification Options
OSDE issues different certificate types depending on your qualifications and where you are in the process:
| Certificate Type | Who It’s For | Validity |
|---|---|---|
| License | Candidates in an alternative, non-traditional certification program who are teaching while completing requirements | 1 year, renewable up to 3 years |
| Provisional Certificate | Graduates of out-of-state teacher education programs who haven’t completed all Oklahoma requirements | 5 years |
| Standard Certificate | Candidates who’ve met all educational and examination requirements | 5 years |
Examinations
Every candidate for Oklahoma teacher certification must pass the Oklahoma General Education Test (OGET), a basic skills exam. Candidates also need a passing score on the required subject-area assessment, typically the Oklahoma Subject Area Test (OSAT) for their certification area. However, certain circumstances allow an accepted Praxis subject assessment instead. World language candidates (except Latin) also sit for an Oral Proficiency Interview. Since June 3, 2025, new candidates satisfy the professional education assessment requirement by passing the Assessment of Professional Knowledge (APK), which replaced the Oklahoma Professional Teaching Examination (OPTE). OPTE is now a legacy exam: candidates who completed it under Oklahoma’s former requirements may still receive credit for it under state policy, but it’s no longer given to new candidates.
Experience Requirements
Your teacher preparation program builds in practicums and student teaching before you’re ever eligible for certification. Early practicums are mostly observation: you watch experienced teachers run their classrooms and occasionally lead instruction yourself. Student teaching comes later and puts you in full control of a classroom matched to your certification area, handling lesson planning and classroom management. In contrast, certification officials and mentor teachers evaluate your performance. Student teaching placements typically run up to 12 weeks.
How to Apply
Once you’ve finished your educational, examination, and experience requirements, you apply for your Standard Certificate through the Oklahoma Educator Credentialing System (OECS). Create an account through the Oklahoma Education Single Sign-On, then submit your transcripts, program verification, and any subject-specific forms directly through the online system, along with the processing fee. Teaching certificates and advisement letters are issued digitally, so there’s no separate physical certificate to track down once your application clears.
Criminal History Background Check
First-time Oklahoma certification applicants must complete fingerprinting and a criminal history background check through both the Oklahoma State Bureau of Investigation (OSBI) and the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI). You’re responsible for the cost of fingerprinting and the background check. See OSDE’s background check and fingerprinting information to schedule your appointment before OSDE finalizes your certification.
Contact Information
For questions about teacher certification in Oklahoma, contact the Oklahoma State Department of Education’s Office of Teacher Certification at 405-521-3337, or use the text/chat widget on the OSDE certification page for faster response during business hours.
Frequently Asked Questions
How long does it take to get certified to teach in Oklahoma?
Most candidates complete their bachelor’s degree and teacher preparation program in about four years, including the required student teaching placement. From there, passing the OGET, your subject-area assessment, and the Assessment of Professional Knowledge (APK), along with clearing your background check, typically adds a few more weeks once you’ve applied through the Oklahoma Educator Credentialing System.
Do I need a master’s degree to teach in Oklahoma?
No. A bachelor’s degree from an OEQA-approved teacher preparation program meets the education requirement for a Standard Certificate. A master’s degree is required for certain advanced credentials, such as principal or superintendent certification, but not for a classroom teaching certificate.
Can I teach in Oklahoma if I’m certified in another state?
Yes, in many cases. Oklahoma accepts current, valid out-of-state teaching certificates for candidates seeking Oklahoma certification, though you may still need to complete specific Oklahoma requirements. See Oklahoma Teacher Reciprocity Agreements for the full requirements based on your state of origin.
What’s the difference between a License and a Provisional Certificate?
A License is awarded to candidates in an alternative, non-traditional certification program who are already teaching while completing their requirements, and it’s valid for one year at a time, renewable up to three years. A Provisional Certificate goes to out-of-state teacher education graduates who haven’t yet met every Oklahoma requirement, and it’s valid for five years while you complete what’s missing.
How much does it cost to apply for Oklahoma teacher certification?
Fingerprinting and the required OSBI/FBI background check currently run about $58.25, paid directly to the agency handling your fingerprinting appointment. Application processing fees within the Oklahoma Educator Credentialing System are separate and vary by certificate type, so confirm the exact total during your OECS application.
| Occupation (Oklahoma) | Median Annual Wage | Mean Annual Wage |
|---|---|---|
| Kindergarten Teachers | $47,860 | $52,620 |
| Elementary School Teachers | $48,200 | $52,320 |
| Middle School Teachers | $48,440 | $53,920 |
| High School Teachers | $48,710 | $54,950 |
Oklahoma-specific job growth projections weren’t published for these occupations as of this update. Nationally, the BLS projects little change in employment for these roles between 2024 and 2034, with tens of thousands of openings each year, driven mostly by retirements and turnover rather than new job creation.
- Certification is administered through OSDE and applied for online. The Oklahoma Educator Credentialing System (OECS), accessed through the Oklahoma Education Single Sign-On, is where you submit transcripts, forms, and your processing fee.
- Three assessments stand between you and certification. The OGET, your subject-area exam (OSAT or an accepted Praxis assessment), and the Assessment of Professional Knowledge (APK) all need passing scores. APK replaced the legacy OPTE for new candidates starting June 3, 2025.
- Certificates are digital. Oklahoma has issued certificates and advisement letters digitally since September 2023, so there’s no paper credential to track down.
- Standard and Provisional Certificates last five years. A License for alternative-path candidates runs one year at a time, renewable up to three years.
- Background checks go through two agencies. You’ll need fingerprinting and clearance from both the OSBI and the FBI before OSDE finalizes your certification.
Find accredited teacher certification programs, application links, and licensing requirements for your jurisdiction.
May 2025 US Bureau of Labor Statistics salary and job growth figures for Kindergarten and Elementary School Teachers, Middle School Teachers, and High School Teachers reflect state and national data, not school-specific information. Conditions in your area may vary. Data accessed July 2026.
