How to Become a Teacher in Idaho

Idaho certification requirements, step by step

Each requirement below is stated as Idaho State Department of Education — Educator Certification publishes it, with the governing source cited.

1. 1

   Complete an Idaho-approved educator preparation program

   Finish a college or university educator preparation program that includes coursework, required assessments, and student teaching. Idaho lists approved in-state institutions on its Be an Educator page. Candidates hired during the student-teaching year may work with the hiring school on an Alternative Authorization.

   Source: sde.idaho.gov

2. 2

   Pass Idaho-required Praxis assessments

   The State Board of Education uses Praxis as the approved content and performance assessment for certification. Idaho graduates submit an official Praxis score sheet with the application; electronic ETS transmission to the Department is not accepted.

   Source: sde.idaho.gov

3. 3

   Obtain an Institutional Recommendation and official transcripts

   The College of Education at the Idaho institution completes the Institutional Recommendation verifying an Idaho certification program. Submit official transcripts from all colleges attended, verifying certification and endorsement areas.

   Source: sde.idaho.gov

4. 4

   Complete a Background Investigation Check if required

   Submit a completed Background Investigation Check packet and processing fee unless you completed an Idaho Department of Education BIC for student teaching within three years of the certification application.

   Source: sde.idaho.gov

5. 5

   Apply for the Initial Certificate for Idaho Graduates

   Mail a complete packet—application, $75 fee, transcripts, Institutional Recommendation, Praxis score sheet, and BIC if needed—to Idaho Teacher Certification. Check with your college first; some institutions submit on behalf of graduates.

   Source: sde.idaho.gov

Idaho still processes traditional graduate applications as paper packets mailed to Teacher Certification in Boise rather than through a fully self-service online portal. That workflow makes completeness the real gate: the Department will not process an application until the signed form, non-refundable $75 fee, official transcripts, Institutional Recommendation, Praxis score sheet, and Background Investigation Check (when required) are all in hand. Electronic Praxis reports cannot be sent from ETS to the Department, so candidates must include a score sheet in the packet. Graduates should confirm with their College of Education whether the institution files on their behalf or they must mail the packet themselves.

Praxis is the State Board of Education’s approved content and performance assessment for certification. Traditional completers take the endorsement-aligned Praxis tests required by their program. American Board (ABCTE) completers are treated differently: the Department’s certification FAQ states that Praxis is not required when the candidate used ABCTE assessments, though adding later endorsements through a traditional program may still require Praxis. Cut scores and test fees are published by ETS, not as a single dollar amount on Idaho’s certification pages.

Idaho’s literacy and mathematics conditions are distinctive state overlays. Educators working on interim certificates—including alternate authorizations, non-traditional routes, reinstatement, and many out-of-state entrants—must complete a State Board–approved Idaho Comprehensive Literacy Course or the Idaho Comprehensive Literacy Assessment before a standard instructional certificate is issued. Candidates with All Subjects K–8, special education, or mathematics endorsements may also be required to complete Mathematical Thinking for Instruction / Teaching Mathematical Thinking. Those courses sit beside Praxis rather than replacing it.

Out-of-state mobility is certificate-forward, not exam-only. The official out-of-state application accepts a current, valid credential from another state after a state-approved program, or a CAEP/AAQEP institutional recommendation if the program was finished in the last two calendar years. Applicants without a current credential must document content testing. The Department will not accept an expired out-of-state certificate; the published remedy is to renew that credential first, then apply, or to enter a non-traditional Idaho route such as ABCTE, CSI, LCSC, or Teach For America.

Required exams and fees

Idaho uses ETS Praxis content and performance assessments (Idaho State Board–approved). Fees and cut scores appear only when published by the cited source (as of September 2026).

Moving a license to Idaho

Idaho’s out-of-state page accepts a current, valid out-of-state certificate issued after full completion of a state-approved certification program, or a CAEP- or AAQEP-approved program completed in the last two years. Content assessment is required when applying with an institutional recommendation instead of a current credential. Expired out-of-state certificates are not accepted until renewed. Many out-of-state and interim holders must complete the Idaho Comprehensive Literacy Course or Assessment (and Teaching Mathematical Thinking where indicated) before the five-year renewable certificate.

Official Idaho reciprocity guidance