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Vermont Teacher Certification and Career Guide

Those interested in becoming a teacher in Vermont must earn their educator license through the Vermont Agency of Education, which oversees the state’s licensing process.

The main steps for the traditional path to teacher certification in Vermont 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, if desired.

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

Table of Contents


How to Become a Teacher in Vermont

This section details the steps to receive an initial educator license in Vermont via the traditional licensing route. Vermont has a two-tiered licensing program:

  • Initial Level I License: For new teachers who have met all Vermont licensure requirements.
  • Advanced Level II License: For teachers who have been working in education for at least three years.

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 Vermont.

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

Candidates for a Vermont teaching license must earn a bachelor’s degree. The bachelor’s degree major will depend on the grade level and subject they wish to teach. They will also earn an teacher preparation program, usually as part of their bachelor’s degree. The Vermont Agency of Education offers a complete list of their approved teacher preparation programs, which are evaluated using the Results Oriented Program Approval (ROPA) methodology.

You can compare key metrics for state-approved teacher preparation programs on our Vermont 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.

All candidates for a Vermont Educator License must complete a student teaching placement, which consists of a minimum of 13 consecutive weeks of student teaching in a school setting. To meet the requirements for state licensure, the student teaching placement should be with a licensed teacher who can provide consistent feedback on performance. Students must be advised at least once every 10 teaching days, and must receive at least a “B” grade in their final student teaching evaluation from their mentor teacher.

3. Pass the required Vermont teacher exams.

Vermont State SealAfter completing an approved educator preparation program, prospective teachers in Vermont must pass the appropriate Praxis Core Academic Skills for Educators and/or Praxis Subject Tests. The Educational Testing Service (ETS) administers both the Praxis Core exams, which include reading, writing, and mathematics, and the Praxis Subject Tests. Educators with a current license seeking to add an endorsement are exempt from completing the Praxis Core exams, but must take the qualifying Praxis Subject Tests.

4. Apply for Vermont teacher certification.

Once the steps above have been completed, applicants can apply for their Initial Level I License through the Vermont Agency of Education ALiS portal. Applicants will need to create an account through ALiS to complete the application. The required documents include:

  • Official transcripts, including confirmation of completion of the student preparation program
  • Praxis Core and Praxis Subject Test scores
  • Fingerprint based background check
  • Payment of non-refundable application fees

Visit the Vermont Agency of Education website for additional information on receiving an educator license in Vermont.

5. Upgrade your license, if desired.

Vermont educators who have been teaching for at least three years with a Level I license can move to a Level II. A Level II License is valid for five years. Educators must obtain the recommendation of a Local and Regional Standards Board (L/RSB) by completing the following requirements:

  • Teach for at least three years under a Level I license.
  • Obtain three credits (45 hours) of new professional development, including one credit (15 hours) relating to the specific knowledge and performance standards of the endorsement being transitioned.
  • Obtain administrator verification that the educator is performing at a professional level.
  • Provide documentation of any valid licenses or credentials required for the endorsement(s).

Visit the Vermont Agency of Education for more information on Vermont teacher certification.

Guide to Other Teaching Pathways

Vermont Teacher Certification Renewal

Renewal requirements for Vermont teaching licenses differ depending on which type of license educators hold. Those with a Level I license must renew their certification every three years and complete three credits (45 hours) of new professional learning. At least one credit (15 hours) must apply directly to the endorsement being renewed, and the other two credits (30 hours) must meet the Vermont Core Teaching and Leadership Standards.

Teachers renewing a Level II license will need to complete six credits (90 hours) of new professional learning. At least two credits (30 hours) must be endorsement-specific, and four credits (60 hours) must fall under the Vermont Core Teaching and Leadership Standards. A Level II license in Vermont only needs to be renewed every five years. License status is available through the ALiS portal.

Adding Subjects or Grades to a Certificate

Once you receive your teaching license, 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. Those with a current educator license can apply for additional endorsements through the ALiS portal by submitting for a Transcript Review, which includes submitting official transcripts, Praxis exam scores, teacher preparation program verification, relevant credentials, a current resume, and the non-refundable application fee.

Vermont Teaching License Reciprocity

Vermont offers out-of-state reciprocity under the National Association of State Directors of Teacher Education and Certification (NASDTEC) Interstate Agreement, which outlines which state teaching certificates will be recognized in Vermont. Teachers licensed in New Mexico, New York, or South Dakota should contact a licensing specialist since reciprocity rules with those states are changing.

Those seeking a Vermont license under the NASDTEC Interstate Agreement will need to complete a Transcript Review by submitting the following documents through the ALiS portal:

  • Current license
  • Official transcripts
  • Praxis exam scores
  • Teacher preparation program verification
  • Proof of completion of the endorsement’s jurisdictional requirements
  • Current resume
  • Fingerprint based background check
  • Payment of non-refundable application fees

A complete list of the jurisdictional requirements by endorsement is available on the NASDTEC Interstate Agreement FAQ sheet. Once the documents are submitted, a licensing specialist will review and approve the application within 30 business days. During that time, requests may be sent for additional endorsement fees. At the end of the process, a Vermont endorsement is issued and the application is closed. You can learn more about transferring a teaching certificate or license between states on our guide to certification reciprocity.

In addition to standard educator licenses, Vermont offers a variety of licenses and endorsements in support and administrative areas through the Vermont Agency of Education. These include:

  • Director of Curriculum: Directors of Curriculum are authorized to create and implement curriculum, instruction, assessment, and activities in a school district. They must hold a master’s degree, complete leadership coursework, and have completed 300 hours of leadership field experience.
  • School Counselor: School counselors in Vermont must complete a master’s degree with a concentration in school counseling or an equivalent degree. Additionally, prospective school counselors must complete 600 supervised internship hours.
  • School Librarian: School librarians can provide library media services for grades PK-12. A bachelor’s degree and at least 18 credits in library and information science is required to work as a school librarian in Vermont.

Vermont offers a variety of other licensing endorsements, including administrator endorsements such as principal and district supervisor. Each of these endorsements, as well as specialized endorsements for school psychologists, school social workers, and specialized literacy professionals, require a master’s degree.

Other licensing endorsements, such as school nurse, require only a bachelor’s degree and credits focused on the specific endorsement. More information about additional school personnel endorsements can be found on the Vermont Agency of Education website.

Vermont Teacher Outlook, Salary, and Jobs

Projected Job Growth

3.1%

Growth in Teaching Jobs in VT through 20322*

There were an estimated 88,028 students enrolled in Vermont’s 311 K-12 public schools during the 2017-2018 school year.3 Based on an estimated 8,313 teachers during the same time period, Vermont had a student-to-teacher ratio of nearly 11:1.3

Job growth for educators in Vermont is anticipated to exceed the national average. Job growth for Vermont elementary teachers is projected at 3.8% compared to 0.7% nationally; for Vermont middle school teachers, 4% compared to 0.8% nationally; and for Vermont secondary school teachers, 4.5% compared to 1% nationally.2 The table below provides a detailed comparison of job growth prospects and salary levels for Vermont teachers.

TypeNumber Employed in VT4Average Annual Openings in VT2VT Proj. Job Growth 2022-20322Average Annual Salary in VT425th Percentile Wages in VT575th Percentile Wages in VT5
Preschool Teachers1,4501807.3%$39,280$35,570$39,480
Preschool Teachers, Special Education80100%$68,930$57,990$75,980
Kindergarten Teachers220200%$54,770$45,950$60,940
Elementary School Teachers3,4902503.8%$64,340$49,440$77,520
Kindergarten and Elementary School Teachers, Special Education570403.6%$62,180$49,610$77,490
Middle School Teachers1,5301104%$61,990$47,920$75,190
Middle School Teachers, Special Education450——$62,390$50,860$77,960
Secondary School Teachers3,2002104.5%$62,320$49,030$75,250
Secondary School Teachers, Special Education830——$63,360$49,920$76,790
Secondary School Teachers, Career/Technical Education380202.7%$68,080$60,480$77,780

*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 Vermont

Vermont has teaching shortages across the state in several areas. According to the US Department of Education Teacher Shortage Area report for 2023-2024, Vermont has designated the following deficits:

In addition to the above staffing shortages, over 200 teachers in Vermont were considered underqualified for their positions, which includes teachers assigned to classrooms outside their certification field on a temporary or emergency basis.7

Additional Resources

Related Articles

Frequently Asked Questions

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

Answer: To become a high school teacher in Vermont, you must be certified through the state. This requires earning a bachelor’s degree with a major in the subject area that you will teach. You also need to complete a teacher preparation program, pass the Praxis exams for educators, and passs a criminal history records check.

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

Answer: According to the latest statistics available, as of the 2019-20 school year, there were 112 private schools in Vermont, with 1,205 full-time teachers and 9,142 students.8 Vermont law does not require private school teachers to be licensed, but potential educators must hold at least a bachelor’s degree in their desired subject area.

References:
1. Vermont Agency of Education: https://education.vermont.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 2022 Occupational Employment and Wage Estimates, Vermont: https://www.bls.gov/oes/current/oes_vt.htm
5. Bureau of Labor Statistics, May 2022 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