Indiana is considered a great state for teaching because of its relatively high starting salary, income growth potential, and employee perks.
To be eligible to work as an educator in Indiana, you must hold a teacher’s license. The Indiana Department of Education (IDOE) oversees the certification process for in-state teachers. To get a teaching certificate in Indiana, you need to hold a bachelor’s degree, complete an approved teacher preparation program, and pass the state-required tests.
Teacher preparation programs in Indiana also include CPR/AED/Heimlich certification and completion of suicide prevention training, which are essential for teacher certification.
There are many requirements to qualify as a teacher in Indiana. This ensures that only highly qualified and certified individuals are in the classroom, enabling quality education. Teachers must also demonstrate their ability to teach and their understanding of core content and subject matter by completing a student teaching program under the supervision of an experienced teacher.
In this article, we’ll cover all the essential information prospective teachers should have if they plan to teach in Indiana.
Requirements for Indiana Teacher’s License
To become a teacher in Indiana, you need to meet some requirements to be eligible for certification. Let’s look at the requirements:
1. Hold a Bachelor’s degree
To be licensed to teach in Indiana, you must hold a bachelor’s degree, complete an approved teacher preparation program, and pass the state-required tests.
The level of education you complete will vary depending on the subject and grade level you wish to teach. For instance, to teach at the elementary school level (K-6), you need to earn your Bachelor’s degree in an education major with a content-ares minor or double major in education and a specific subject content area.
For the secondary school level (5-12), you need to earn your Bachelor’s degree in a specific content area major with a minor in education.
However, you should wait until your Bachelor’s degree to apply for certification, as a teaching license can not be issued before graduation.
2. Seek a licensing advisor to help navigate the process
Becoming a licensed teacher in Indiana can initially seem daunting and complex. This is because your specific path will be determined by your level of education, the level, and the subject areas you want to teach.
Indiana universities and colleges usually have licensing advisors to help you navigate certification. These advisors work with you to develop a personalized strategy to help you be certified as a teacher. The licensing advisor from your institution will also recommend you for licensing. To verify if you’ve met all the requirements for certification, always consult with your institution’s licensing advisor.
3. Complete an approved teacher preparation program
To become a licensed teacher in Indiana, you must complete an approved Educator Preparation Program (EPP). These programs, approved by the Indiana Department of Education, are designed to meet rigorous standards for high-quality teaching.
Indiana colleges and universities typically offer In-State Preparatory Programs, which can often be completed alongside your Bachelor’s degree. These programs are tailored to equip you with the skills and knowledge needed for your chosen subject area and grade level, ensuring you’re prepared to succeed in the classroom.
4. Pass the state-required tests.
From September 2021, Indiana transitioned from Pearson assessments to Praxis tests provided by the Educational Testing Service (ETS). The tests include:
- The CORE Content Area Assessment: The subject-specific test assesses your understanding of your licensure areas. Indiana Teacher Program advisors play an important role in helping you identify the subject area that complements your skills and interests. The test usually consists of 100 multiple-choice questions in 105 minutes. Prepare adequately to ensure you pass on the first attempt, saving yourself money and time.
- Developmental (Pedagogy) Assessment: The test will be taken during your internship year and will focus on your understanding of and applying pedagogy. You are expected to pass this assessment to receive the Practitioner License. The test generally consists of 100 multiple-choice questions to be completed within 105 minutes.
5. Complete training in CPR, the Heimlich Maneuver, the use of an automated defibrillator (AED), and suicide prevention
To be a certified teacher in Indiana, you must have evidence of training in CPR, AED, Heimlich Maneuver, and suicide prevention.
- CPR/AED/Heimlich Certification: This certification is required for all initial certification, conversion, and renewal of teacher education licenses. The training is mostly online, but you must have hands-on sessions with a mannequin. The CPR certificate expires two years after the award date, after which you must renew it. Renewal helps you remain updated on the latest techniques and guidelines as well as new medical research and findings.
- Suicide Prevention Training: This training seeks to increase child suicide awareness and prevention. It equips you with the basic skills on how to recognize and respond to suicide risk. Training that takes less than one hour to complete may not be accepted. Retraining has to be taken every three school years.
If you are an out-of-state teacher eligible for an Original Instructional License in Indiana, you can submit a promissory note committing to complete CPR, AED, and Heimlich certification within one year of receiving your license.
The State of Indiana requires these certifications to be obtained through recognized providers such as the American Red Cross or the American Heart Association. If you plan to complete the training through a different institution, verify with the Indiana Department of Education to ensure they accept certifications from that provider.
6. Pass the background check
Like in most states, Indiana requires that you file for state and federal background checks. You must undergo a background check before fieldwork, a student teaching placement, or an internship.
First, file your fingerprints and submit them to Indiana’s electronic Fingerprinting Network. Do this before submitting your teaching certification application to the Department of Education.
7. Apply for an Indiana teacher’s license
Once you’ve completed your certification and background checks, you should not apply for your teaching license. Visit the Licensing Verification and Information System (LVIS) Indiana site.
Here is a list of documents you’ll be required to submit:
- Evidence of completion of Indiana-approved education preparation program.
- Proof of passing the REPA/REPA 3 and the Praxis exams.
- Mandatory proof of mandatory physical and mental health certifications.
- Completed teaching license application.
- Evidence of completed CPR/AED/Heimlich certifications and suicide prevention training.
- Non-refundable teaching license application fee.
The State of Indiana will contact the School of Education to confirm that you’ve completed your teacher education program and exam test scores.
Once you’ve been approved for certification, the State of Indiana will email you a confirmation with your certificate number.
Indiana Teacher’s License Options
The Office of Educator Effectiveness and Licensure (OEEL), a division of the Indiana Department of Education (IDOE), oversees the certification process for teachers in Indiana. OEEL is responsible for reviewing applications, issuing teaching licenses, and establishing the certification requirements to ensure high standards in the state’s education system.
Indiana uses the tiered system of teacher licensing, giving you some options to choose from. These licensing options differ in requirements; therefore, research which suits you better.
The two levels of teaching licensure include:
1. Initial Practitioner
The Initial Practitioner certificate is issued once you have met all the licensing requirements, such as obtaining CPR, suicide prevention training, passing a background check, and passing all licensing tests.
During the validity of this two-year certificate, you receive the Indiana Mentoring and Assessment Program (IMAP), a two-year mentorship internship designed to support new teachers as they transition into the profession.
2. Proficient Practitioner
Once you’ve worked under the initial license for two years, you are eligible for the Proficient Teacher certificate, which is valid for five years.
You can earn it through two options:
- Completing the Indiana Mentor and Assessment Program (IMAP) for two years.
- Follow the Professional Growth Plan (PGP). This route allows you to work as an Indiana teacher, attend conferences and workshops, participate in school improvement plans, and complete coursework on educational reforms and trends.
3. Indiana Substitute Teacher License
Being a substitute teacher means that you supervise a classroom when the main teacher is away for a day or a few days. If you are a substitute teacher in Indiana, you must hold a valid substitute teacher permit.
School districts, also known as school corporations in Indiana, are responsible for approving these. To qualify as a substitute teacher, you must hold a minimum high school diploma and be 18 years or older.
In addition, you must pass a background check. The certificate is valid for three years, after which you must apply for another one, as it is non-renewable.
4. Emergency Permits
The Emergency Permit (EP) is a temporary teaching certificate issued to a school district or a special education cooperative for an individual who is not licensed to teach.
The school corporation requests an Emergency Permit in a content area in which it is experiencing staffing challenges with a properly certified professional. The applicant using it must hold a bachelor’s degree from a regionally accredited university.
The certificate holder must commit to work towards completing an approved teacher preparation program to acquire the Initial Practitioner License. The Permit is valid for one year.
5. Visiting Teacher Permits
The Visiting Teacher Permit is a five-year non-renewable license to teach issued to an individual from another country visiting the United States. The visiting teacher must be employed at the Indiana school corporation.
The individual must hold a bachelor’s degree equivalent to that of a regionally accredited institution, as decided by a third-party comparability evaluation. To be eligible, a visiting teacher must satisfy one of the following curriculum requirements:
- Early Childhood Education
- Elementary Education
- P-12 Education
- Middle School Education
- Secondary Education
To qualify, you must also have teaching or related professional experience. However, the Permit does not apply to teachers certified in other countries and employed by an Indiana school through a memorandum of understanding.
Steps to Apply for an Indiana Teaching License
Before applying, consult with a licensed program advisor to determine the certificate that best aligns with your qualifications and career goals.
Once you’re ready, follow these steps to apply for an Indiana teaching license:
- Submit your Indiana teaching license application online using the Licensing Verification and Information System (LVIS).
- Create your profile, log in, and upload documentation showing you have fulfilled all the requirements.
- Provide evidence of the following:
- Completion of a teacher education program
- Completion and passing of the Praxis tests
- Completion of CPR/AED training
- Completion of suicide prevention training
- Submit a non-refundable fee
- Wait for your teaching license to be granted.
Alternative Teaching License Options in Indiana
Alternative teacher preparation programs, or non-traditional programs, are convenient for individuals with a non-teaching degree who would like to transition to education. Alternative routes are a great way to transition into education for these reasons:
- You can complete the program at your own pace
- You can start teaching as you are ready
- You can take a self-guided course online
- You can take up to two academic years to complete
Here are some options of alternative teaching options you can use in Indiana:
Transition to Teaching (T2T) path
Transition to Teaching programs are 18-24 credit-hour sessions designed to prepare those with Bachelor’s degrees in specific content areas who want to transition into teaching to get licensed.
Once accepted into the program, the route can lead to a temporary teaching permit. However, it is not considered a job-embedded or paid residency curriculum.
TNTP Teaching Fellow
The TNTP teaching fellows program prepares aspiring teachers without teaching certification to become exceptional teachers. The program elevates your academic and professional expertise while granting you an affordable and accelerated pathway to the classroom.
The program is convenient since it allows you to choose the location and the subject area you want to teach.
You then are required to complete an online application to share your preferences, background, and the experiences that you bring to the classroom.
Out-of-State Educators
The Indiana teaching license reciprocity allows educators from out-of-state to acquire teaching permits provided they have completed the NCATE/CAEP accredited program. If you hold a teaching license in another state and hold a bachelor’s degree from a regionally accredited institution, you may apply for a Reciprocity permit. It is valid for one year and non-renewable.
Once issued, you must satisfy deficiencies to acquire the Initial Practitioner Indiana Teaching license.
Here are the requirements to be certified to teach in Indiana if you are an out-of-state teacher:
- Passed the subject content exam for specific subjects
- Certification in CPR/AED, suicide prevention, and the Heimlich manoeuvre.
Your application will be made through the LVIS system and must include the following:
- Valid and unexpired out-of-state teaching license
- Verification of educational experience by former employers on their letterhead documenting years of experience
- Official transcripts of completed required coursework
Build a Successful Teaching Career in Indiana
One of the greatest rewards of becoming a teacher is the opportunity to make a difference in the future generation and society it gives you. Teaching in Indiana is also advantageous. For instance, the average starting salary is higher than that of most states, and the state has a higher income growth potential.
A teaching license is critical for serving in the classroom. Indiana offers different options for transitioning to the classroom through its different types of teacher certification.
At Indiana Teachers of Tomorrow, we can help you become a teacher through the Alternative Teacher Certification Program. Get in touch with us today to begin your teaching journey
