Alternative Teaching Certification in Missouri
Alternative teaching certification in Missouri covers four separate DESE-approved paths for candidates who already hold a bachelor’s degree: the Alternative Route, the Temporary Authorization Route, ABCTE, and Teachers of Tomorrow. Requirements vary by route, but most involve college or self-directed coursework, a provisional or temporary certificate while you teach, and passing state-required Praxis exams through the Department of Elementary and Secondary Education (DESE).
Sponsored School(s)
If you already hold a bachelor’s degree in a field other than education, Missouri offers several ways to earn your teaching certificate without going back for a second degree. The Department of Elementary and Secondary Education (DESE) recognizes four separate alternative pathways, and each one sets its own coursework, timeline, and certificate requirements.
Interested in learning about the traditional approach? Contact schools offering teaching certification programs in Missouri.
Use the links below to jump to Missouri’s alternative certification routes, education and exam requirements, classroom experience rules, and background check details.
- Missouri’s alternative certification routes
- Education requirements
- Required exams
- Provisional certification and classroom experience
- Criminal history background check
- Reciprocity for out-of-state teachers
- Where to get more information
Missouri’s Alternative Certification Routes
DESE recognizes four separate routes into the classroom for candidates who already hold a bachelor’s degree. Each one has its own coursework load, certificate type, and timeline, so the right fit depends on whether you want to enroll in a college program or work through self-directed coursework while teaching under a district contract.
| Route | Coursework | Certificate While Completing Requirements |
|---|---|---|
| Alternative Route | About 30 semester hours through a college of education | Two-year provisional certificate |
| Temporary Authorization Route (TAC) | Minimum 24 college credits, self-directed and subject-specific | One-year certificate, renewable with 9 semester hours per year |
| ABCTE | ABCTE program and exam, limited subject areas | Initial certificate on program and test completion |
| Teachers of Tomorrow | Program and certification, limited subject areas | Initial certificate on program and test completion |
Alternative Route
A candidate with a bachelor’s degree in a core content area enrolls in a college of education and completes about 30 semester hours of teacher preparation coursework. While enrolled, you teach under a two-year provisional certificate. Once the coursework is finished and you’ve passed the required assessment, the college recommends you to DESE, and you’re issued an Initial Professional Certificate (IPC).
Temporary Authorization Route (TAC)
The Temporary Authorization Route fits candidates who’ve already been hired by a Missouri school district to teach in their content area. Instead of enrolling in a college program, you complete a minimum of 24 college credits in self-directed coursework tied to specific competencies, while a district mentor supervises your teaching for two years. You work under a one-year certificate that renews annually as long as you complete 9 semester hours of coursework per year, and you must pass at least two exit exams before DESE issues your initial certificate.
ABCTE and Teachers of Tomorrow
Missouri also accepts two subject-limited alternative providers. The American Board for Certification of Teacher Excellence (ABCTE) lets candidates with a bachelor’s degree complete an independent program and pass a certification test, but DESE only accepts ABCTE credentials in middle or high school math, U.S. or world history, English language arts, biology, chemistry, general science, physics, and elementary education. Teachers of Tomorrow was authorized under Missouri law in August 2025 and covers the same limited subject list. Both routes lead directly to an initial certificate without a separate provisional period.
Education Requirements
Every alternative route requires a bachelor’s degree from a regionally accredited institution. For the Alternative Route and Temporary Authorization Route, that degree needs to be in the subject area you plan to teach, or a closely related field. ABCTE and Teachers of Tomorrow accept a bachelor’s degree in any field, since their content preparation happens through the provider’s own program rather than a college of education.
Required Exams
Missouri requires alternative certification candidates to pass state-required Praxis exams, administered through ETS. DESE replaced the Missouri Content Assessments (MoCA) with Praxis effective July 1, 2024. MoCA scores earned before that date still count toward certification, but candidates testing now register directly for the Praxis exam that matches their content area. Both the Alternative Route and the Temporary Authorization Route also require passing an exit exam before the college or district can recommend you for your initial certificate.
Provisional Certification and Classroom Experience
Most alternative certification routes don’t require prior classroom experience to enroll. Once you’re accepted, you teach in a Missouri school district under a provisional or temporary certificate while you finish your coursework and exams. Alternative Route candidates work under a two-year provisional certificate. Temporary Authorization Route candidates work under a one-year certificate renewed annually. In both cases, a district administrator or mentor typically oversees your progress until you’re recommended for your initial certificate.
Criminal History Background Check
All teachers, no matter which certification route they take, must pass a criminal history background check before working with Missouri students. You’ll first pre-register online through the Missouri Automated Criminal History Site (MACHS) at machs.mo.gov to get a registration code, then complete fingerprinting in person at an IdentoGO location. The Missouri State Highway Patrol and FBI both review the results. For questions about the fingerprinting or background check process, contact the Highway Patrol’s contracted vendor, Idemia, at 844-543-9712. Your provisional or temporary certificate won’t be issued until the Missouri Department of Elementary & Secondary Education receives your cleared background check.
Reciprocity for Out-of-State Teachers
If you’re already certified to teach in another state, you may not need to start an alternative route from scratch. Missouri’s Out-of-State Certified route lets DESE issue a comparable Missouri certificate once you verify your existing credential, and the certificate type you receive depends on how many years of approved teaching experience you’ve completed under your original license. See our guide to Missouri teacher reciprocity for the full verification process.
Where to Get More Information
For details on enrolling in a specific alternative certification program, contact the institutions offering them directly. Each program sets its own admissions timeline and coursework schedule within DESE’s requirements.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is Missouri’s alternative teacher certification?
It’s a set of DESE-approved pathways that let someone with a bachelor’s degree in a non-education field become a certified teacher while already working in a classroom. Missouri recognizes four such routes: the Alternative Route, the Temporary Authorization Route, ABCTE, and Teachers of Tomorrow.
Do I need an education degree to qualify for alternative certification in Missouri?
No. Alternative certification is built for candidates who already hold a bachelor’s degree in a field other than education. The Alternative Route and Temporary Authorization Route generally expect that degree to be in your teaching subject, while ABCTE and Teachers of Tomorrow accept a bachelor’s degree in any field.
What exam do I need to pass for Missouri alternative certification?
Most candidates need to pass a Praxis exam in their content area through ETS. Missouri switched from the Missouri Content Assessments (MoCA) to Praxis on July 1, 2024, though MoCA scores earned before that date are still accepted.
Can I teach while completing Missouri’s alternative certification requirements?
Yes. Alternative Route candidates teach under a two-year provisional certificate while completing about 30 semester hours of coursework. Temporary Authorization Route candidates teach under a one-year renewable certificate while completing self-directed coursework and exit exams.
How long does Missouri’s alternative certification process take?
The Alternative Route typically runs about two years, matching the length of the provisional certificate. The Temporary Authorization Route can take longer since it renews annually until all required coursework and exit exams are complete. ABCTE and Teachers of Tomorrow candidates can finish faster since neither requires a multi-year provisional teaching period.
- Missouri has four alternative certification routes — the Alternative Route, Temporary Authorization Route, ABCTE, and Teachers of Tomorrow each set different coursework and certificate requirements.
- You can teach while you complete requirements — every route lets you work under a provisional or temporary certificate while finishing coursework and exams.
- Praxis replaced the Missouri Content Assessments in 2024 — candidates now register for Praxis exams through ETS, though pre-2024 MoCA scores still count.
- A background check is required regardless of route — DESE won’t issue your provisional or temporary certificate until your cleared fingerprint results are on file.
Find accredited teacher certification programs in Missouri, including alternative route options and application requirements for your certification path.
