How to become an elementary school teacher

1. 1Earn a bachelor's degree, ideally in elementary education

   Time: 4 yearsCost: $9,678 a year median public in-state tuitionSources 1, 3

   The most direct route is a bachelor's in elementary education at a college with a state-approved teacher preparation program, many of which are accredited by CAEP. Coursework covers child development, teaching reading and math, classroom management and teaching students with disabilities and English learners. Some states also want a content major or a set amount of math, science or reading coursework, so check your state's list before choosing classes.

2. 2Complete student teaching

   Time: 1 semester to 1 yearCost: Usually part of tuition; typically unpaidSources 1, 4

   Teacher preparation ends with a supervised placement in a real classroom, working beside a mentor teacher and gradually taking over planning and teaching. Expect to work the school's full day, which makes holding another job difficult. Some programs now offer paid residencies, in which candidates are placed in a district for a full year. This is also when many candidates complete a teaching performance assessment.

3. 3Pass your state's licensing tests

   Time: A few weeks of studyCost: $180 for Praxis 5001Sources 2, 4

   Many states use the Praxis Elementary Education: Multiple Subjects (5001) test, with four separately timed subtests in reading and language arts, math, social studies and science: 245 questions over 4 hours 35 minutes, taken at home or at a test center. Other states use their own exams, such as the CSET in California. Some also require reading instruction or performance assessments.

4. 4Apply for your state teaching license

   Time: 2-8 weeksCost: State fees varySources 4, 1

   Your preparation program recommends you to the state education agency, and you submit an application with transcripts, test scores and fingerprints for a background check. First licenses are usually preliminary or initial. California's preliminary Multiple Subject credential, for example, also requires a U.S. Constitution course and CPR training and lasts up to five years.

5. 5Teach and upgrade to a professional license

   Time: 2-5 yearsCost: VariesSources 4, 1

   Many states require new teachers to finish a mentoring or induction program, and some require a master's degree or more coursework within a set number of years. California's clear credential, for example, comes from completing an approved induction program or National Board Certification. After that, licenses are renewed with professional development hours on each state's schedule.

6. 6Consider National Board Certification

   Time: 1-3 years, after several years of teachingCost: $1,900 plus $75 a yearSources 5

   National Board Certification is a voluntary, advanced credential for experienced teachers, earned through four components that include classroom video, student work and a content exam. Each component costs $475, plus a $75 registration fee in each year a candidate submits work, and candidates can spread components over three years. Some states and districts pay stipends or salary increases to board-certified teachers.

Programs, tuition and graduates’ earnings

U.S. Department of Education, College Scorecard (most recent cohorts, released 2026-10-15). Scorecard groups programs by 4-digit field, so a row can include related programs. Tuition is the median published undergraduate tuition and fees of the colleges offering the program (shown only for undergraduate credentials); debt is the median of programs’ median federal loan debt at completion; earnings are the national median for the field and credential four years after completion.

Requirements differ by state. Check your state’s rules in the CareerOneStop License Finder (U.S. Department of Labor) before you enroll.

Classroom management

Young children learn little in a disorganized room, so clear routines and consistent follow-through come before any lesson.

Teaching reading

Early grades are when children learn to decode words, and teachers must spot and help struggling readers before they fall behind.

Patience

Six-year-olds need the same direction many times, and a calm response keeps one hard moment from derailing the whole class.

Communication with families

Parents of young children expect regular updates, and difficult conversations about behavior or learning go better when trust already exists.

Planning and organization

A teacher prepares lessons in four or more subjects every day, plus materials for small groups and students who need modified work.

O*NET 31.0 rates these skills as most important for the occupation: learning strategies, speaking, active listening, critical thinking, monitoring.

Training cost

$38.9K–$48.6K

Before financial aid

Time

4-5 years

Typical path

Median pay

$63,970

All US jobs: $50,980

Payback once qualified

3.0–3.7 yrs

Pay above the all-jobs median vs. cost

Low: 4 years x $9,678, the College Scorecard median in-state tuition at public colleges for teacher education bachelor's programs (from our data) = $38,712, plus the Praxis 5001 fee of $180. High: 5 years of the same tuition ($48,390), for those who add a post-baccalaureate credential year, plus the $180 Praxis fee. Not included: housing, books, state license application and fingerprint fees, and other state-required tests. Private colleges cost more.

Rough guide only: ignores taxes, aid, interest and earnings given up during training. How we calculate it.

• School principal$105,870 median

  Usually requires several years of teaching, a master's in educational leadership and a state administrator license.

• School counselor$64,330 median

  Requires a master's in school counseling and a state school counselor credential; teaching experience helps with student and family work.

• Reading specialist or instructional coach

  Experienced teachers add a reading specialist or similar endorsement, often through a master's, and then support other teachers or small groups of students.

• Librarian$68,270 median

  School librarians usually need a master's in library science or a school library media endorsement on top of a teaching license in many states.