Alternative Teaching Certification in Louisiana
Louisiana’s alternative teaching certification lets candidates who already hold a bachelor’s degree outside education start teaching while finishing coursework. Three state-approved pathways exist: the Practitioner Teacher Program, the Master’s Degree Program, and the Certification-Only Program. Each leads to a Practitioner License (PL1, PL2, or PL3) and requires passing Praxis exams before full certification.
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Louisiana’s alternative teaching certification programs lead to teacher certification for candidates who don’t hold a degree in education. Three types of alternative certification programs currently exist: the Practitioner Teacher Program, the Master’s Degree Program, and the Certification-Only Program. All three let you work as a teacher while completing certification requirements, and each issues a Practitioner License along the way.
Interested in the traditional approach instead? Contact schools offering teaching certification programs in Louisiana.
Use the links below to jump to program requirements, exam information, background checks, and application steps.
- Alternative certification requirements in Louisiana
- Praxis exam requirements
- Criminal history background check
- How to apply and get help
Alternative Certification Requirements
Education and GPA Requirements
All three programs require a bachelor’s degree in a field other than education from a regionally accredited college or university. The standard GPA threshold is 2.5 on a 4.0 scale. Candidates admitted on or after December 21, 2019, with a GPA below 2.5 can still qualify by completing an interview with the program provider’s admissions officer, per Louisiana R.S. 17:7.1 A.3.
Practitioner Teacher Program
The Practitioner Teacher Program combines full-time teaching with intensive coursework. Candidates are issued a Practitioner License 1 (PL1) once accepted into an approved program, valid for one school year and renewable annually for up to three years while the candidate completes required coursework. The program totals 27 to 33 credit hours (roughly 315 to 450 contact hours) for most grade bands, and 24 to 33 credit hours (roughly 360 to 495 contact hours) for PK-3 certification. After finishing the program, candidates are eligible for a Level 1 Professional License.
Master’s Degree Program
The Master’s Degree Program lets candidates teach full time while earning a master’s degree and completing certification requirements. Accepted candidates who are employed in a Louisiana school can hold a Practitioner License 3 (PL3), valid for one school year and renewable annually for up to four years. The program totals 33 to 39 graduate credit hours, with a minimum of nine semester hours of coursework required each year the candidate remains enrolled.
Certification-Only Program
The Certification-Only Program is a part-time path built for candidates who don’t want to pursue a master’s degree. It totals 27 to 33 credit hours (roughly 405 to 495 contact hours), delivered face-to-face or online through an approved provider. Candidates are issued a Practitioner License 2 (PL2) after completing classroom readiness training, valid for one school year and renewable annually for up to three years, with a minimum of nine semester hours of coursework required per year. A Professional Level License follows once all program requirements are complete.
Praxis Exam Requirements
You must pass the Praxis I (Core Academic Skills for Educators) and the Praxis II content-specific exam for your intended certification area before entering any alternative teaching certification program. Candidates holding a graduate degree, an ACT composite score of 22, or a combined SAT verbal/critical reading and math score of 1100 (new SAT) or 1030 (pre-March 2016 SAT) are exempt from the Praxis I requirement. Program-specific Praxis exam codes are listed on the ETS Praxis website.
Criminal History Background Check
Since January 1, 2025, Louisiana law (R.S. 17:8.9) requires a fingerprint-based criminal background check before the Louisiana Department of Education can issue, renew, advance, or modify your certificate. This check is separate from any background check your future employer runs and is processed through the Louisiana State Police Bureau of Criminal Identification and Information, with fingerprinting scheduled through the state’s approved vendor, IdentoGO. Once LDOE reviews your results and finds no disqualifying convictions, you receive a Clear Credential that doesn’t expire and won’t need to be repeated for future certification actions.
How to Apply and Get Help
For open teaching positions in Louisiana, check the jobs board on Teach Louisiana. For questions about alternative certification programs or your application, submit a request through the Louisiana Department of Education’s Teacher Certification Help Center, which replaced the department’s phone line for certification questions.
Contact colleges and universities in Louisiana offering alternative teaching certification programs directly for admission details and program-specific requirements. Once you’re weighing whether a program fits your budget and timeline, Louisiana teaching salaries and benefits is worth reviewing alongside program costs.
Frequently Asked Questions
What GPA do I need for Louisiana alternative certification?
The standard requirement is a 2.5 GPA on a 4.0 scale. If your GPA is below 2.5 and you’re admitted on or after December 21, 2019, you can still qualify by completing an interview with the program provider’s admissions officer.
Do I need to take the Praxis before applying?
Yes. You need passing scores on the Praxis I and the Praxis II content exam for your certification area before entering a program, unless you qualify for a Praxis I exemption through a graduate degree, ACT score, or SAT score.
What’s the difference between the three alternative certification programs?
The Practitioner Teacher Program and Certification-Only Program lead to a standard teaching certificate, while the Master’s Degree Program leads to certification plus a master’s degree. Coursework length, license type (PL1, PL2, or PL3), and renewal terms differ by program.
How long can I teach on a Practitioner License?
PL1 and PL2 licenses are valid for one school year and renewable annually for up to three years. PL3 licenses, issued through the Master’s Degree Program, are renewable for up to four years.
Where do I submit my alternative certification application?
Applications go through your program provider and the Louisiana Department of Education. Questions about the process go through the Teacher Certification Help Center rather than a phone line.
- Three pathways lead to certification — the Practitioner Teacher Program, Master’s Degree Program, and Certification-Only Program all require a bachelor’s degree and issue a Practitioner License while you complete coursework.
- 2.5 GPA is the standard threshold — candidates below 2.5 can still qualify through an admissions interview process in place since December 2019.
- Praxis exams come before enrollment — Praxis I and a content-specific Praxis II exam are required to enter a program, with exemptions available for graduate degree holders and qualifying test scores.
- Practitioner Licenses expire on a set schedule — PL1 and PL2 renew annually for up to three years, PL3 for up to four years, before converting to a professional license.
Find accredited teacher certification programs in Louisiana, including alternative certification options that match your background and timeline.
