{"id":47327,"date":"2025-02-16T18:39:43","date_gmt":"2025-02-17T00:39:43","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.teachersoftomorrow.org\/?p=47327"},"modified":"2025-02-16T18:39:43","modified_gmt":"2025-02-17T00:39:43","slug":"indiana-teachers-license-guide","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.teachersoftomorrow.org\/blog\/insights\/indiana-teachers-license-guide\/","title":{"rendered":"Indiana Teacher’s License\u200b\u200b Guide for 2025"},"content":{"rendered":"
Indiana is considered a great state for teaching <\/span>because of its relatively high starting salary,<\/span> income growth potential, and employee perks.<\/span><\/p>\n To be eligible to work as an educator in Indiana, you must hold a teacher’s license. The<\/span> Indiana Department of Education (IDOE)<\/span><\/a> 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.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n Teacher preparation programs in Indiana also include CPR\/AED\/Heimlich certification and completion of suicide prevention training, which are essential for teacher certification.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n 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.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n In this article, we\u2019ll cover all the essential information prospective teachers should have if they plan to teach in Indiana.<\/span><\/p>\n To <\/span>become a teacher in Indiana<\/span><\/a>, you need to meet some requirements to be eligible for certification. Let\u2019s look at the requirements:<\/span><\/p>\n 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.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n 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.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n 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.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n However, you should wait until your Bachelor’s degree to apply for certification, as a teaching license can not be issued before graduation.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n 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.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n 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.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n 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.<\/span><\/p>\n 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\u2019re prepared to succeed in the classroom.<\/span><\/p>\n From September 2021, Indiana transitioned from Pearson assessments to <\/span>Praxis tests<\/span><\/a> provided by the Educational Testing Service (ETS). The tests include:<\/span><\/p>\n To be a certified teacher in Indiana, you must have evidence of training in CPR, AED, Heimlich Maneuver, and suicide prevention.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n 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.<\/span><\/p>\n 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.<\/span><\/p>\n 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.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n 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.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n Once you’ve completed your certification and background checks, you should not apply for your teaching license. Visit the<\/span> Licensing Verification and Information System (LVIS) Indiana site<\/span><\/a>.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n Here is a list of documents you’ll be required to submit:\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n The State of Indiana will contact the School of Education to confirm that you’ve completed your teacher education program and exam test scores.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n Once you’ve been approved for certification, the State of Indiana will email you a confirmation with your certificate number.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n 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.<\/span><\/p>\n 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.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n The two levels of teaching licensure include:<\/span><\/p>\n 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.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n 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.<\/span><\/p>\n 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.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n You can earn it through two options:<\/span><\/p>\n 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 <\/span>substitute teacher<\/span><\/a> in Indiana, you must hold a valid substitute teacher permit.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n 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.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n 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.<\/span><\/p>\n The <\/span>Emergency Permit (EP)<\/span><\/a> is a temporary teaching certificate issued to a school district or a special education cooperative for an individual who is not licensed to teach.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n 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.<\/span><\/p>\n 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.<\/span><\/p>\n 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.\u00a0\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n 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:<\/span><\/p>\n 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.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n Before applying, consult with a licensed program advisor to determine the certificate that best aligns with your qualifications and career goals.<\/span><\/p>\n Once you’re ready, follow these steps to apply for an Indiana teaching license:<\/span><\/p>\n\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n
Requirements for Indiana Teacher’s License<\/b><\/h2>\n
1. Hold a Bachelor’s degree<\/b><\/h3>\n
2. Seek a licensing advisor to help navigate the process<\/b><\/h3>\n
3. Complete an approved teacher preparation program<\/b><\/h3>\n
4. Pass the state-required tests.<\/b><\/h3>\n
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5. Complete training in CPR, the Heimlich Maneuver, the use of an automated defibrillator (AED), and suicide prevention<\/b><\/h3>\n
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6. Pass the background check<\/b><\/h3>\n
7. Apply for an Indiana teacher’s license<\/b><\/h3>\n
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Indiana Teacher’s License Options\u00a0<\/b><\/h2>\n
1. Initial Practitioner\u00a0<\/b><\/h3>\n
2. Proficient Practitioner<\/b><\/h3>\n
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3. Indiana Substitute Teacher License<\/b><\/h3>\n
4. Emergency Permits<\/b><\/h3>\n
5. Visiting Teacher Permits<\/b><\/h3>\n
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Steps to Apply for an Indiana Teaching License<\/b><\/h2>\n
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Alternative Teaching License Options in Indiana<\/b><\/h2>\n