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Missouri Teacher Certification and Career Guide

The Missouri Department of Elementary & Secondary Education (DESE) oversees the teacher certification process. The main steps for the traditional path to teacher certification in Missouri are:

  1. Complete a bachelor’s degree with a state-approved teacher preparation component.
  2. Complete a student teaching placement.
  3. Pass the required teacher certification exams.
  4. Apply for a teaching certificate or license.
  5. Upgrade your license.

Continue reading to learn more about the traditional certification pathway in Missouri.

Table of Contents


How to Become a Teacher in Missouri

The following steps outline the traditional pathway for teacher certification in Missouri. The DESE uses a tiered licensing system for teacher certification:

  • Initial Professional Certificate (IPC) (4-year): For new teachers who have completed a bachelor’s degree, a DESE-approved teacher preparation program, and passed the required assessments.
  • Career Continuous Professional Certificate (CCPC) (99-year): For teachers who have completed the requirements for a lifetime certificate.

If you are a bachelor’s degree holder who has yet to complete a teacher preparation program, check out our guide to alternative teacher certification in Missouri.

1. Earn a bachelor’s degree that includes an approved teacher preparation program.

The first step to obtaining a teaching license in Missouri is to earn a bachelor’s degree from an accredited college or university. The major of the bachelor’s degree will vary depending on the grade level and subject of the desired license. As part of the degree, teacher candidates must complete a DESE-approved educator preparation program (EPP). You can find a list of approved EPPs on the DESE website.

You can compare key metrics for state-approved teacher preparation programs on our Missouri schools page. You can also read about two important accreditations to consider, institutional accreditation and programmatic accreditation, on our teaching schools guide.

2. Complete a student teaching placement.

As part of your EPP, you will complete a limited early level field experience of at least 30 clock hours; a mid-level field experience of at least 45 clock hours; and a culminating field experience (student teaching) of at least 480 clock hours or 12 weeks of continuous experience. The culminating field experience will be full immersion in a classroom setting with feedback from the cooperating teacher and/or supervisor. To meet the requirements for state certification, the student teaching placement should be at the grade level and in the subject you wish to teach. Some programs may offer longer student teaching placements or the opportunity to pursue multiple placements.

3. Pass the required Missouri teacher exams.

Missouri State SealAs of July 1, 2024, Missouri requires the Educational Testing Service (ETS) Praxis exams for certification. Applicants must take the subject test required for their specific licensure area. Passing these exams demonstrates candidates’ teaching skills and content area knowledge. EPPs may also require a general skills test for admission to their program, which will vary by provider.

4. Apply for Missouri teacher certification.

Once all requirements for the IPC are fulfilled, applicants must apply for a certificate using the Certification Account Portal. Along with your application, you must submit:

  • Official transcripts
  • Recommendation for certification from EPP provider
  • Passing scores on the required examinations
  • Submission of fingerprints for criminal history background check
  • Payment of non-refundable certification processing fee

Visit the DESE for further details on Missouri teacher certification.

5. Upgrade your certificate.

In the four years that you have your IPC, you must fulfill the following requirements to advance your certificate to a CCPC:

  • Complete four years of teaching experience under an IPC
  • Participate in a two-year mentoring program
  • Complete 30 contract hours of professional development
  • Participate in a beginning teacher assistance program
  • Successfully complete your school’s annual Performance Based Teacher Evaluation process
  • Develop a professional development plan that is on file with the district

More information about upgrading your license can be found on the Upgrading to Career Certificate page.

Guide to Other Teaching Pathways

Missouri Teacher Certification Renewal

To renew your CCPC, you will need to earn 15 professional development (PD) contact hours annually until you reach PD Exempt status. You can renew your license on the Certification Account Portal. To reach PD Exempt status, you will need to meet two of the following criteria:

  • Accumulate 10 years of experience
  • Earn a higher degree
  • Earn national certification

Adding Subjects or Grades to a Certificate

Once you receive your teaching certificate, you will only be eligible to work as a teacher in the grade levels and certification areas listed on your certificate, though occasional, temporary exceptions are made. Teachers with a valid Missouri teaching certificate can add certification areas by completing the required coursework or passing the corresponding assessment. You can renew your license on the Certification Account Portal. Read more about adding a certification area on the Already Certified page.

Missouri Teaching License Reciprocity

Prospective teachers who completed an out-of-state EPP and a valid license from another state who wish to obtain a Missouri certificate can apply for the same certificate using the Certification Account Portal by selecting “Non-MO Graduates.” In most cases, a Missouri certificate is issued with no further coursework or test requirement. To apply, you will need to include:

  • Official transcripts
  • A photocopy of valid teaching certificate
  • Verification of Teaching Experience form
  • Official letter from your school district(s) verifying your years of experience
  • Criminal background check
  • Payment of the processing fee

A reciprocity checklist can be found on the DESE website.

In addition to the teaching certificate, there are other credentials available in Missouri for those interested in education:

  • School Principal Certificate: Requires a master’s degree or higher with a DESE-approved educational administration degree program, recommendation for certification from the school, and a passing score on the required assessment.
  • School Psychological Examiner Certificate: A Student Services certificate requiring a master’s degree or higher with a DESE-approved student services program, recommendation for certification from the school, and a passing score on the required assessment.
  • Special Education Director Certificate: Requires a master’s degree or higher with a DESE-approved educational administration degree program, recommendation for certification from the school, and a passing score on the required assessment.

You can read more about support credentials on the Educator Certification page.

Missouri Teacher Outlook, Salary, and Jobs

Projected Job Growth

2.7%

Growth in Teaching Jobs in MO through 20322*

According to the most recent data available from the National Center for Education Statistics (NCES), the state of Missouri has a student-to-teacher ratio of 13:1.3 During the 2017-2018 school year, there were 2,414 public K-12 schools in Missouri, which enrolled a student population of over 915,000 with about 68,496 teachers.3

Job prospects through 2032 are better for Missouri teachers than the projected national averages, with job growth for Missouri elementary teachers projected at 2.6% compared to 0.7% nationally; for Missouri middle school teachers, 2.8% compared to 0.8% nationally; and for Missouri secondary school teachers, 2.9% compared to 1% nationally.2 The table below provides a detailed comparison of job growth prospects and salary levels for Missouri teachers.

TypeNumber Employed in MO4Average Annual Openings in MO2MO Proj. Job Growth 2022-20322Average Annual Salary in MO425th Percentile Wages in MO575th Percentile Wages in MO5
Preschool Teachers5,6101,45010.4%$37,580$28,570$42,090
Preschool Teachers, Special Education6401103.1%$45,630$36,760$50,630
Kindergarten Teachers2,1201702.5%$56,100$45,960$64,170
Elementary School Teachers24,7002,2102.6%$56,150$45,790$61,630
Kindergarten and Elementary School Teachers, Special Education1,8701001.4%$47,860$39,150$51,320
Middle School Teachers16,0108702.8%$58,940$46,940$63,660
Middle School Teachers, Special Education1,440——$48,160$44,090$55,060
Middle School Teachers, Career/Technical Education140——$51,020$37,970$62,170
Secondary School Teachers26,0401,4202.9%$56,270$44,720$61,850
Secondary School Teachers, Special Education2,930——$54,040$39,910$61,580
Secondary School Teachers, Career/Technical Education1,450401.9%$43,770$37,700$49,880

*The estimated job growth average is based on projections for mainstream kindergarten, elementary, middle, and high school teachers. Projections for other categories, such as special education and career and technical education, may be higher or lower than the average.

Teacher Shortages in Missouri

According to the US Department of Education Teacher Shortage Area report for 2023-2024, Missouri has designated the following deficits:

According to recent research, there were over 200 unfilled teaching positions in Missouri during the 2021-2022 school year.7 A further 3,089 teachers in the state were considered underqualified for their position during the 2022-2023 school year, which includes teachers assigned to classrooms outside their certification field on a temporary or emergency basis.7

Additional Resources

Missouri Teacher Interview

Related Articles

Teacher Quote “There are so many reasons for teachers to feel bogged down: standardized testing, assessments, teaching based on the standards and more, but there is no better feeling than seeing the look in a child’s face when that light bulb goes on. It makes everything worth it!” -Sarah Moellering, Missouri Second Grade Teacher

Frequently Asked Questions

Question: How can I become a substitute teacher in Missouri?

Answer: To become a substitute teacher in Missouri, you must obtain a substitute teaching certificate through the state. To qualify for a Career Substitute Certificate, you must have completed at least 36 semester hours of college credit or have a high school diploma and have passed the state’s 20-hour substitute training program. All substitutes must also pass a criminal background check. To substitute in career and technical education areas, candidates must have at least an associate’s degree in the content area to be taught and 5,000 hours of work experience. Teachers with valid Missouri teaching certificates who wish to substitute teach do not need to apply for a Substitute Certificate.

Question: How many private school teachers are there in Missouri?

Answer: There were 642 private schools in Missouri as of the 2019-2020 school year.7 In those schools were over 94,000 students and 9,500 teachers.8 Private school teachers in Missouri are not required to be certified, but some schools may prefer certified teachers.

References:
1. Missouri Department of Elementary and Secondary Education: https://dese.mo.gov/
2. Projections Central, Long Term Occupational Projections: https://projectionscentral.org/Projections/LongTerm
3. National Center for Education Statistics, State Nonfiscal Public Elementary/Secondary Education Survey Data, 2017-2018: https://nces.ed.gov/ccd/stnfis.asp
4. Bureau of Labor Statistics, May 2023 Occupational Employment and Wage Estimates, Missouri: https://www.bls.gov/oes/current/oes_mo.htm
5. Bureau of Labor Statistics, May 2023 National Occupational Employment and Wage Estimates: https://www.bls.gov/oes/current/oes_nat.htm
6. US Department of Education, Teacher Shortage Areas: https://tsa.ed.gov/#/reports
7. Teacher Shortages in the United States, Tuan D. Nguyen et al.: https://teachershortages.com/
8. National Center for Education Statistics, Private School Universe Survey, 2019-20: https://nces.ed.gov/surveys/pss/tables/TABLE15fl1920.asp