Vermont Teaching Certification
Vermont teaching certification requires a bachelor’s degree from an approved teacher preparation program, at least 12 weeks of supervised student teaching, and passing scores on the Praxis Core Academic Skills Test. The Vermont Agency of Education issues a three-year Level I license first, then a Level II license once you’ve taught for three years and completed additional coursework. Candidates without a traditional education degree can pursue Vermont’s Peer Review pathway instead.
Sponsored School(s)
Every classroom in Vermont, whether it’s in a mill town or a ski valley, has a teacher behind it who went through the same certification process you’re about to start. The Vermont Agency of Education sets that process, and nearly all of it runs through a single document: an approved teacher preparation program that culminates in a bachelor’s degree. From there, supervised classroom experience and a passing score on the Praxis Core lead to a license application.
Choose the description below that best matches your situation, or keep reading for the full traditional certification pathway.
- Initial Teaching Certification…
- I’m a teacher from another state…
- Teacher Certification Renewal…
- Admin./Principal Certification…
- Alternative Teaching Certification…
- Substitute Teaching Permit…
Initial Vermont Teaching Certification
Vermont’s schools are known for small class sizes and close teacher-student relationships, especially in the state’s rural districts, and the state’s licensure system shapes the teachers behind those classrooms before they ever lead a class of their own.
Vermont’s educator preparation programs give would-be teachers both coursework and field experience before they take responsibility for a class of their own. If you’re weighing how to become a teacher in Vermont, the first real step is choosing an approved preparation program.
Education Requirements
The Vermont Agency of Education (AOE) requires all candidates for teacher certification to complete a teacher education program that leads to at least a bachelor’s degree.
A teacher education program gives candidates the chance to build their understanding of instructional methods through coursework and student teaching placements alike. Explore approved teacher education programs in Vermont through the school search above.
During their preparation programs, candidates typically focus on curriculum and organizational development, in addition to picking the specific endorsement areas they want to teach. Vermont’s AOE specifies a wide range of teacher endorsement areas:
- Elementary Education
- Art
- Business Education
- English
- Modern and Classical Languages
- French
- Spanish
- German
- Russian
- Latin
- Greek
- American Sign Language
- Physical Education
- Family and Consumer Sciences
- Design and Technology Education
- Mathematics
- Music
- Science
- Computer Science
- Social Studies
- Junior ROTC Instructor
- Career and Technical Education
- Agriculture and Natural Resources
- Architecture and Construction
- Arts and Communication
- Business
- Education and Training
- Health
- Hospitality
- Human Services
- Information Technology
- Law and Public Safety
- Manufacturing
- Transportation
- Engineering
- Middle Grades
- English
- Mathematics
- Science
- Social Studies
- Driver and Traffic Safety Education
- Health Education
- Early Childhood Education
- Theatre Arts
- Dance
- Bilingual Education
- English as a Second Language
- Educational Technology Specialist
- School Social Worker
- Cooperative Career and Technical Education Coordinator
- Library Media Specialist
- School Counselor
- School Nurse
- Associate School Nurse
- School Psychologist
- Teacher of the Blind and Visually Impaired
- Teacher of the Deaf and Hard of Hearing
- Career and Technical Education School Counseling Coordinator
- Reading/English Language Arts Specialist
- Reading/English Language Arts Coordinator
- Early Childhood Special Educator
- Intensive Special Education Teacher
- Special Educator
- Educational Speech Language Pathologist
- Consulting Teacher
- Career and Technical Education Special Needs Coordinator
Vermont offers two levels of teacher certification for qualified candidates.
Level I license
The Level I Beginning Educator License is the initial license teachers must hold to teach. After three years, candidates may apply for a Level II professional license. Candidates who don’t yet meet Level II requirements can renew their Level I license instead.
Level II License
Experienced educators earn a Level II license by documenting professional development and securing a recommendation from their school district. A Level II license is valid for five years and can be renewed.
Alternative Pathways: Peer Review and Transcript Review
Not every prospective teacher comes through a traditional education degree, and Vermont accounts for that. Candidates who hold a bachelor’s degree in another field can apply through Peer Review, sometimes called License by Evaluation, in which a panel of experienced educators reviews a portfolio of coursework and experience rather than requiring a full second degree. Transcript Review works similarly for candidates whose existing coursework already covers most of an endorsement area. Both routes still end in the same Level I license and the same Praxis testing requirements described below. For a fuller walkthrough, see Vermont’s alternative teaching certification options.
Examinations
Initial licensure candidates must pass an academic skills assessment before becoming certified in Vermont.
The Praxis Core Academic Skills Tests measure a candidate’s reading, writing, and math skills. This assessment isn’t about teaching methods. It checks the core academic foundation every candidate needs before moving on to subject-specific training.
Candidates must score at least 156 in Reading (test 5713), 162 in Writing (test 5723), and 146 in Mathematics (test 5733) to be considered for certification.
Teachers seeking certain endorsement areas must also complete Praxis II Subject Assessments, which test a candidate’s grasp of teaching methods and content knowledge in a specific area. These endorsements require a Praxis II exam:
- Art
- Elementary Education
- English
- English as a Second Language
- Math
- Middle School English
- Middle School Mathematics
- Middle School Science
- Middle School Social Studies
- Latin
- French
- German
- Spanish
- Music
- Physical Education
- Reading Specialist
- Science
- General Science
- Biology
- Chemistry
- Earth Science
- Physics
- Social Studies
Every Praxis test carries its own score requirement and fee. For current fees and full requirements, see the state’s Praxis testing brochure.
Experience Requirements
During teacher education programs, candidates get first-hand classroom experience through student teaching. The length varies by program, but Vermont’s AOE requires a minimum of 12 consecutive weeks of student teaching.
Most student teaching pairs a candidate with a professional mentor who provides feedback and helps them work through early classroom-management challenges. That mentorship is where a lot of the real preparation for full-time teaching happens.
Document and Application Requirements
Once a candidate finishes education, experience, and testing requirements, the certification application goes to the AOE.
The first step is to print and complete the certification application form. Processing times vary, and the required criminal background check alone can take 6 to 12 weeks, so candidates should submit their packets as early as they can.
A complete initial certification packet includes:
- Application Form
- Oath to uphold the U.S. and Vermont Constitutions
- Mandatory “Good Standing” Declaration Form
- Consent for Release of Registry Information Form
- Resume
- Praxis Core and Praxis II scores sent from the Educational Testing Service.
- Official school transcripts
- Application processing fee and license issuance fees (see the AOE’s current fee schedule; fees are no longer a single flat amount)
Candidates should submit completed application packets to:
Vermont Agency of EducationOffice of Licensing and Professional Standards
1 National Life Drive, Davis 5
Montpelier, VT 05620-2501
Criminal History Background Check
Every teacher certification applicant must submit to a background check and fingerprinting.
The application packet includes a Request for Criminal Record Check form, which must be submitted with all other forms. Candidates also need a Fingerprint Authorization Certificate; the criminal record check itself carries a state processing fee, and fingerprinting charges can vary depending on where prints are taken.
Fingerprints can be taken at identification centers around Vermont. For a list of certified locations, see the National Criminal Record Check Program brochure.
Contact Information
For more on teacher licensing in Vermont, contact the AOE at 802-828-3440 or [email protected].
Vermont Teacher Salary and Job Outlook
Salary is one of the first questions most prospective teachers ask, and Vermont’s numbers vary noticeably by grade level. See Vermont teaching salaries and benefits for a fuller breakdown.
| Occupation | Median Annual Wage |
|---|---|
| Kindergarten Teachers | $63,280 |
| Elementary School Teachers | $63,070 |
| Middle School Teachers | $73,940 |
| High School Teachers | $76,220 |
According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, Vermont elementary school teachers earned a median annual salary of $63,070 as of May 2025, while Vermont high school teachers earned $76,220. BLS does not publish state-level job growth projections for Vermont’s teaching occupations. Nationally, the BLS projects elementary school teacher employment to decline 2.0% between 2024 and 2034, with an average of 91,000 annual openings expected from retirements and turnover, so local hiring can still look different from the national trend.
Frequently Asked Questions
What degree do I need for Vermont teaching certification?
You need at least a bachelor’s degree from a teacher preparation program approved by the Vermont Agency of Education. The degree doesn’t have to be in education if you go through Vermont’s Peer Review or Transcript Review pathway instead of the traditional route.
How long does it take to get a Vermont teaching license?
Most candidates complete a four-year bachelor’s program that includes at least 12 weeks of student teaching, then submit an application for review. Processing times vary, and the required criminal background check alone can take 6 to 12 weeks. Peer Review candidates can move faster since they skip the full second degree.
What exams do I need to pass for Vermont certification?
Every candidate takes the Praxis Core Academic Skills Test in reading, writing, and math. Candidates seeking certain endorsements, such as elementary education or a world language, also take a Praxis II Subject Assessment for that specific area.
Can I teach in Vermont if I’m certified in another state?
Yes, through Vermont’s reciprocity process, which reviews your existing license and preparation against Vermont’s own requirements. See our Vermont teacher reciprocity guide for the full process.
What’s the difference between a Level I and a Level II Vermont license?
A Level I license is the initial license every new teacher holds. After three years of teaching and additional professional development, you become eligible for a Level II license, which covers a longer renewal period and generally signals more advanced standing.
- The traditional path runs through one approved program — a bachelor’s degree from an AOE-approved teacher preparation program, 12 weeks of student teaching, and passing Praxis Core scores.
- Peer Review is Vermont’s alternative route — candidates with a non-education bachelor’s degree can apply through a portfolio-based review instead of completing a second degree.
- Licensure comes in two tiers — a Level I Beginning Educator License comes first, with a Level II professional license available after three years of teaching and further coursework.
- Certification isn’t free — budget for the AOE’s application processing and license issuance fees, background check costs, and Praxis testing fees, which are set by the state’s current fee schedule.
- Vermont teacher pay varies by grade band — BLS data puts elementary teachers at a median of $63,070 and high school teachers at $76,220 as of May 2025.
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 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.
