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All students entering Relay's Educator Preparation Programs (EPP) must complete their state's certification or licensure requirements to become eligible to teach. The terms "certification" and "licensure" are often used interchangeably. If you have questions about your state's requirements, please reach out to the Prospective Student Advising and Certification team at [email protected].
Why Get Certified?
Obtaining your teaching credential is crucial for several reasons:
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Employment: Certification is often a minimum requirement for teaching positions. It expands your job opportunities, allows you to teach in various schools or districts, and may lead to higher salaries. Certification also makes it easier to transfer your credentials if you move to a different state.
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Equity: Certified teachers have been shown to promote greater academic gains among PK-12 students. Ensuring all teachers are certified helps provide equal educational opportunities for all students.
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Earnings: Many states offer financial incentives for certified, high-performing teachers, increasing your potential earnings over time.
Additional Benefits
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Preferred Hiring: Many schools prefer to hire teachers who are on track to earn their certification.
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Community Trust: Certification assures parents and colleagues of your qualifications and commitment.
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Professional Expertise: It signifies your knowledge of teaching methods, subject content, ethics, and student support.
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Efficiency: Relay integrates many certification requirements into its curriculum, saving you time and money compared to other programs.
Key Terms to Know
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Endorsement/Content Area/Certification Area: The subject and grade level you are licensed to teach.
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Praxis II Exams: Subject-specific teacher licensure exams by ETS. Check your state's required exams found in your program transition points.
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Residency Program: A gradual introduction to teaching, spending a year in a mentor's classroom before leading your own. This is called the Teacher Pathway in New York.
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Non-Residency Program: Designed for lead teachers, offering graduate coursework and clinical experiences with faculty support. This is called the Lead Teacher Pathway in New York.
Certification Preparation Checklist
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Learn About Certification: Understand the certification process in your state.
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Identify Requirements: Know the exams, coursework, and other criteria you need to fulfill.
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Plan and Budget: Allocate time and resources for certification costs and study materials.
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Schedule Exams: Create a study plan and register for required tests.
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Gather Materials: Obtain study guides and practice tests to prepare effectively.
What Is Required to Get Certified?
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Knowledge Demonstration: Prove your understanding through coursework and state exams, such as the Praxis II.
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edTPA Assessment: A performance-based teaching assessment required in some states.
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Mandatory Workshops: Complete workshops on topics like bullying prevention and child abuse.
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Clinical Experience: Fulfill student teaching or supervised teaching requirements, possibly needing a provisional license.
State education departments set these requirements, which can change. Relay will guide you through the process. For detailed, state-specific information, visit our location pages.
Need Assistance?
If you have questions or need support regarding certification or licensure, contact Relay's Certification Team at [email protected].