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Louisiana Teacher Certification and Career Guide

All teachers must be certified before working in Louisiana’s K-12 education system. The certification process is overseen by the Louisiana Department of Education (LDOE). The main steps for the traditional path to teacher certification in Louisiana 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 Louisiana.

Table of Contents


How to Become a Teacher in Louisiana

This section outlines the steps to become a certified teacher in Louisiana via the traditional pathway. Louisiana uses a tiered licensing structure:

  • Level 1 Certificate (3-year): For first-time teachers who have met the requirements for teacher certification in the state.
  • Level 2 Certificate (5-year): For teachers with three years of effective teaching experience.
  • Level 3 Certificate (5-year): For teachers with a graduate degree and five years of effective teaching experience.

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 Louisiana.

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

Prospective teachers in Louisiana must complete a bachelor’s degree and a state-approved educator preparation program (EPP) with a minimum 2.5 GPA. The bachelor’s program you pursue will depend on the grade level and subject you wish to teach. To qualify for certification, EPPs in Louisiana must be approved by the LDOE.

You can compare key metrics for state-approved on our Louisiana 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.

Approved EPPs in Louisiana include 180 hours of field experience and a full year of classroom residency. These internship opportunities allow candidates to work with an experienced teacher mentor who provides guidance as they refine their teaching methods. Student teaching should be in the grade level and subject area of the certification area sought.

3. Pass the required Louisiana teacher exams.

Louisiana State SealIn order to earn Louisiana teacher certification, candidates must take and pass the Praxis Principles of Learning and Teaching (PLT) exam related to the grade level they wish to teach and the appropriate Praxis subject-area exams. Consult the LDOE for more information.

4. Apply for Louisiana teacher certification.

Once prospective educators have completed the steps listed above, a complete application packet must be sent to the LDOE. Candidates must provide:

  • A copy of their social security card and driver’s license
  • Official transcripts
  • Professional Conduct form
  • Supplemental documents, if necessary
  • Non-refundable fees

Applicants must use the state’s online licensing portal for educators, Teach LA Live!, to apply for certification. Visit the LDOE for further details on teaching certification in Louisiana.

5. Upgrade your license.

Teachers with a Level 1 Certificate can advance to the Level 2 Certificate once they complete three years of teaching and have earned three years of effective final evaluation ratings. Teachers who qualify will need to submit:

  • A copy of their social security card and driver’s license
  • Professional Conduct form
  • Experience Verification form
  • Fingerprint based background check
  • Non-refundable fees

Review the Certification Renewal, Higher, or Status Change Application, which must be signed and submitted by your employing school system, for more information.

Guide to Other Teaching Pathways

Louisiana Teacher Certification Renewal

Level 1 certificates expire every three years, while Level 2 and Level 3 certificates expire every five years. Certificates are renewable and the renewal must be requested by the Louisiana employing school system on behalf of the teacher. The Certification Renewal, Higher, or Status Change Application must be signed and submitted by the employing school system. You can find out more information about renewing a certificate on the LDOE website.

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. In Louisiana, candidates who hold a valid classroom teaching certificate can qualify for additional certifications or endorsements through a combination of coursework and passing the appropriate subject area exams, depending on the endorsement area. You can use the self-evaluation add-on checklist to locate your endorsement area of interest and check the specific requirements. You will need to include this checklist with your application. More information can be found on the Evaluation, Add-On, Course Approval, and Name Change Application.

Louisiana Teaching License Reciprocity

Reciprocity in Louisiana is available for out-of-state teachers who have at least three years of experience. These candidates will receive a standard, renewable Level 2 or Level 3 Certificate depending on the degree earned and documented experience. Candidates can use the Out-of-State Certification Application and the Experience Verification form to apply. Out-of-state candidates should include:

  • A copy of their social security card and driver’s license
  • Official transcripts
  • Professional Conduct form
  • Teacher Preparation/Certification Status form
  • Copy of teaching certificate
  • Out-of-State Experience Verification Attestation form
  • Experience Verification form
  • Praxis exam scores
  • Non-refundable fees

You can learn more about transferring a teaching certificate or license between states on our guide to certification reciprocity.

In addition to standard classroom teaching certificates, the LDOE issues credentials in a variety of support and administrative areas. These include:

  • Educational Leader 1 (EDL1) Certificate: For principals, assistant principals, or special education supervisors. Requires a master’s degree, a valid teaching certificate with three years of teaching experience, and passing scores on the Praxis School Leaders Licensure Assessment (SLLA) or the Louisiana Leadership Assessment Series (LLAS).
  • School Counselor (K-12) Add-On Endorsement: Requires a valid teaching certificate, completion of a graduate degree in counseling approved by the Council for Accreditation of Counseling and Related Educational Program (CACREP) including a 100-hour practicum and 600-hour internship, and passing scores on the related Praxis exam.
  • School Librarian Add-On Endorsement: Requires a standard professional level teaching certificate and specific coursework or a graduate degree in library science with passing Praxis exam scores.

Additional certifications are available for other support positions. In general, candidates for these and other advanced certificates must complete a master’s degree in their desired certification area and pass the relevant exam. In many cases, candidates must also hold a teaching certificate and have classroom teaching experience. For more information, visit the LDOE website.

Louisiana Teacher Outlook, Salary, and Jobs

Projected Job Growth

3.4%

Growth in Teaching Jobs in LA through 20322*

According to the most recent data available from the National Center for Education Statistics (NCES), the state of Louisiana has a student-to-teacher ratio of 17:1.3 During the 2017-2018 school year, there were 1,390 public K-12 schools in Louisiana, which enrolled a student population of 715,135 with about 40,280 teachers.3

Job prospects through 2032 are stronger in Louisiana than the expected national averages, with job growth for Louisiana elementary teachers projected at 3.4% compared to 0.7% nationally; for Louisiana middle school teachers, 3.5% compared to 0.8% nationally; and for Louisiana secondary school teachers, 3.8% compared to 1% nationally.2

The table below provides a detailed comparison of job growth prospects and salary levels for Louisiana teachers.

TypeNumber Employed in LA4Average Annual Openings in LA2LA Proj. Job Growth 2022-20322Average Annual Salary in LA425th Percentile Wages in LA575th Percentile Wages in LA5
Preschool Teachers1,9002105.3%$39,430$26,190$50,760
Preschool Teachers, Special Education380305.4%$54,580$52,010$58,710
Kindergarten Teachers1,2001202.9%$51,340$48,770$56,940
Elementary School Teachers21,9101,4503.4%$55,210$49,750$61,140
Kindergarten and Elementary School Teachers, Special Education3,6803002.5%$56,330$50,530$61,580
Middle School Teachers7,1804703.5%$55,970$50,190$61,270
Middle School Teachers, Special Education1,270——$55,080$50,070$59,610
Middle School Teachers, Career/Technical Education9000%$57,260$47,310$67,740
Secondary School Teachers15,0909403.8%$59,000$50,240$63,450
Secondary School Teachers, Special Education2,150——$56,830$51,190$62,320
Secondary School Teachers, Career/Technical Education1,2901002%$58,710$51,760$64,090

*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 Louisiana

Most of the US is dealing with an educator shortage. According to the US Department of Education Teacher Shortage Area report for 2023-2024, Louisiana has designated the following deficits:

According to recent research, there were about 2,520 unfilled teaching positions in Louisiana during the 2022-2023 school year.7 During the 2020-2021 school year, 17,151 teachers in the state were considered underqualified for their position, which includes teachers assigned to classrooms outside their certification field on a temporary or emergency basis.7

Additional Resources

Louisiana Teacher Interview

Related Articles

Teacher Quote “Know that you are entering a profession that allows you to truly impact lives everyday. You have a tremendous opportunity to cultivate not only the talent that is obvious to others, but also the hidden potential within each student.” –Cindy Wallace, Louisiana Math Teacher

Frequently Asked Questions

Question: How do I become an elementary teacher in Louisiana?

Answer: To become a certified elementary teacher in Louisiana, you must have a bachelor’s degree in education and complete a teacher preparation program. The state also requires that you pass the Praxis tests for elementary certification and participate in student teaching in an elementary classroom.

Question: How do I become a high school teacher in Louisiana?

Answer: Becoming a high school teacher in Louisiana requires a bachelor’s degree in the subject in which you wish to teach and the completion of a teacher preparation program with a student teaching component. You also must pass the required Praxis exams to become a high school teacher.

Question: How many private schools and private school teachers are there in Louisiana?

Answer: According to the latest statistics available, as of the 2019-20 school year, there were 406 private schools in Louisiana, with 11,050 full-time teachers and 117,465 students.8 Louisiana law states that private school teachers must be qualified in accordance with the rules established by the Board. Check with private schools in your area to confirm requirements.

References:
1. Louisiana Department of Education: https://www.teachlouisiana.net/
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, Louisiana: https://www.bls.gov/oes/current/oes_la.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