University Teacher Education Program

Teacher Licensure

To teach in the State of Iowa, individuals must hold a current teaching license. The license is granted by the state, upon the recommendation of the accredited institution at which he or she completed an undergraduate program. The State of Iowa operates under an approved program system. That means Iowa State University has specified to the Board of Educational Examiners the courses and experiences it believes are necessary for prospective teachers in various fields, such as history, science, music and family and consumer sciences. Every five years, the University undergoes a State review of their more than sixty-five approved programs.

The Iowa Board of Educational Examiners issues teaching licenses that are valid for specific ages or grades (e.g., K-6 for elementary teachers and 5-12 for secondary teachers). Endorsements on a teaching license indicate which subject areas a teacher is qualified to teach. Completion of student teaching and required coursework does not guarantee recommendation for a teaching license.

Requirements for Licensure (Checkpoint 3)

When a student has completed the coursework and field experiences that are necessary for a teaching license, the following requirements are checked before a recommendation for licensure is granted:

1. All requirements for an approved licensure area as designated by Iowa State University and the State of Iowa, including, but not limited to, the general education requirement, the professional teacher education requirement and field experiences. Note: Specific courses to be used for licensure may not be taken pass/not pass.

2. A minimum 2.5 cumulative grade point average.

3. All Curriculum and Instruction (C I), Human Development and Family Studies (HD FS) and Special Education (Sp Ed) courses required for licensure have a minimum grade requirement of a C (pedagogy coursework). Courses in the department of the major specifically required for teacher licensure have a minimum grade requirement of a C- (content coursework).

4. A national background check initiated by the Iowa Board of Educational Examiners.

5. Documentation from the student teaching supervisor that the student has successfully completed the final assessment documenting the student's mastery of the skills and knowledge included in the Iowa Teaching Standards.

6. Department approval by UTEP coordinator: http://www.teacher.hs.iastate.edu/coordinators.php

7. Registrar approval (at this time, graduation is confirmed and holds on records are reviewed)

8. For Early Childhood Education and Elementary Education majors only: Praxis II score of 151 for the 0011 test or a 142 for the 0014 test.

Questions concerning Checkpoint 3 can be referred to Linda Reindl, Licensure Analyst for Iowa State University, 0133 MacKay Hall, phone: 294-7004, email: llreindl@iastate.edu

Approved Programs

The basis for the issuance of an initial teacher's license is the completion of an approved teacher education program, including an approved human relations program and completion of the basic requirements for a teaching endorsement. The endorsement specifies the subject area and the grade level at which the teaching service may be performed.

Background Check

Prior to licensing all applicants will be finger printed and state and national criminal history background checks will be conducted.

Licensure Structure

This structure provides for the issuance of different licenses with endorsements in various teaching, service, or administrative areas. The endorsements specify the subject, service or administrative area and the grade levels at which the teaching, service or administrative services may be performed.

Substitute License

This license is issued to the graduates of an approved teacher education program who are not teaching full-time and who wish to substitute teach. It is valid for five years and may be renewed for successive five-year periods.

Initial License

The initial license is issued to the graduates of approved teacher education programs. It is valid for two years, and it may be renewed for one additional two-year term. Any new graduate who has received a teaching contract is required to have this license.

Standard License

This license is valid for five years, and it may be renewed for successive five-year periods. To obtain this license, the applicant must have met the requirements for the initial license and present evidence of two years of successful teaching experience based on a local evaluation process.

Master Educator License

This license is valid for five years, and it may be renewed for successive five-year periods, To obtain the Master Educator's license, the applicant must be the holder of a standard license, completed five years of teaching experience, and hold a Master's degree in one of the recognized teaching endorsement areas.

Information on Iowa licensing and/or renewal information may be obtained from the Iowa Board of Educational Examiners, Grimes State Office Building, Des Moines, Iowa 50319, or online at: www.boee.iowa.gov

Denial of Licensure

Iowa law states that an applicant for teacher licensure shall be disqualified for any of the following reasons :

1. The applicant has been convicted of child abuse or sexual abuse of a child.
2. The applicant has been convicted of a felony.
3. The applicant's application is fraudulent.
4. The applicant's license or certification from another state is suspended or revoked.

For futher clarification of this law, contact the Iowa Board of Educational Examiners or the Iowa Administrative Code (chapters 25 and 26 on Professional Practices and Ethics).

For questions regarding Adding Endorsements, Licensure Renewal, and Coaching Authorization please visit the Board of Educational Examiners website (http://www.boee.iowa.gov/) or Linda Reindl at llreindl@iastate.edu

Iowa Teacher Licensure Application

Iowa licensure applications are available from the University Teacher Education Program Office in 133 MacKay and should be submitted the beginning of the student teaching semester if you are graduating that semester.The forms will be processed in that office and then forwarded to the state once grades have been posted to permanent record and graduation is verified. Once the Iowa Board of Educational Examiners receives the recommendation, the license will be mailed to the address listed on the application form.

NOTE: We highly recommend that you apply for an Iowa teaching license upon graduation whether or not it is your intention to teach in Iowa. If a license is granted, this accomplishment will then become a part of your permanent record.

Out of State Licensure

Students who are contemplating teaching in a state other than Iowa will need to apply for licensure in that specific state. Licensing or certification is a function of the state. The University Teacher Education Program Office, 133 MacKay, has a list of state licensing agencies with addresses, telephone numbers, and websites. You may call or write the state office to request your application for licensure. Each state sets their application fee. The fees can range from $50.00 to $150.00. Most states will require a copy of your Iowa license and another criminal history background check.

On any state's application form there is a place for the signature of the "recommending institution." The Iowa State University Licensure Officer, 0133 MacKay Hall, will sign the form.

Iowa State University's Teacher Education Program is an accredited program and is recognized in most states. Individual states may have a specific requirement that is not a requirement in Iowa or they may require state or national testing. However, the state will usually issue you a temporary license to give you time to complete the requirement.

Contact information for State Departments of Education:

State Departments of Education