Alternative Teacher Certification in Wyoming

Wyoming alternative certification requirements, step by step

Each requirement below is stated as Wyoming Professional Teaching Standards Board (PTSB) publishes it, with the governing source cited.

1. 1

   Determine whether you already hold a full out-of-state alternative license

   PTSB’s published alternative route is for people who obtained a license in another state through a non-traditional or alternative method. You may be eligible for a Wyoming license if you have taught three of the last six years in the state where you are fully licensed. Student teaching does not count. If you do not meet that work-history test, PTSB points you to an Exception Authorization.

   Source: wyomingptsb.com

2. 2

   Gather license, experience, testing, constitution, and fingerprint documents

   Submit verification of full-time teaching or school experience (up to the past 10 years) signed by school administrators, a copy of the current valid teaching license, Praxis II scores as required in Wyoming or an equivalent exam from the other state, two blue FBI fingerprint cards, constitution knowledge, and a complete application.

   Source: wyomingptsb.com

3. 3

   Use an Exception Authorization if you cannot yet qualify for full licensure

   An Exception Authorization is issued to individuals who have not met all requirements for full licensure. It is valid for one year and lets the applicant teach in a Wyoming district while finishing remaining requirements. It is valid only for the specific job position named in the request and is not transferable to another position or district. Chapter 2 lists Exception Authorization options at $110.

   Source: wyomingptsb.com

4. 4

   Confirm you fit one of the listed Exception Authorization circumstances

   PTSB issues Exception Authorizations only in defined cases: you meet all Standard License requirements except a passing test score; you are assigned outside your endorsement while seeking full licensure in that area (including a teaching-field degree without teacher-education content); you are an out-of-state applicant who did not complete an accredited teacher-education program and have not taught three of the last six years in that endorsement; or you are a currently certified educator assigned to one or two classes outside your endorsement. Details are in Chapter 5 of the licensure rules.

   Source: wyomingptsb.com

5. 5

   Finish remaining requirements and apply for the Standard Educator License

   Exception Authorization holders must complete the requirements of their specific option and submit a complete application packet with the appropriate fee. PTSB strongly encourages anyone considering an out-of-state alternative program to confirm that PTSB will accept it before enrolling. Conversion is to the five-year Standard Educator License, not to a renewable Exception Authorization.

   Source: wyomingptsb.com

Exception Authorization is Wyoming’s practical alternative credential, and it is narrower than most states’ residencies. It is not a hunting license and not portable inside the same district. If the job that justified the Exception disappears, the authorization disappears with it. PTSB lists exclusive circumstances—missing a test score, teaching outside an endorsement while pursuing that endorsement, lacking both an accredited program and the three-of-six-years experience test, or covering one or two out-of-area classes. Applicants who do not fit those boxes should not expect PTSB to invent a new option.

The three-of-the-last-six-years rule is how Wyoming treats out-of-state alternative licenses as if they were traditional. It is a full-license-plus-experience test, and student teaching is excluded. Career changers who just finished an online alternative program and have not yet taught three years will not clear that path. PTSB’s own advice is to research an out-of-state alternative program before enrolling, because completion does not guarantee Wyoming acceptance.

Chapter 2 prices every listed Exception Authorization option at $110, including renewals where an option is renewable. Validity differs by option: several are one year and non-renewable, some are renewable twice, and Options 4 and 7 are two-year non-renewable authorizations. The public Exception Authorization page summarizes the one-year default; the fee schedule is the document that distinguishes options. Fingerprint processing ($50) still applies when no current PTSB fingerprint record exists.

Constitution and fingerprinting do not relax for alternative or Exception applicants. Two blue FBI cards and U.S./Wyoming Constitution knowledge (coursework at C or better or 75 percent on each exam) appear on the alternative-route checklist and on military portability checklists. The only people excused from constitution demonstration are those who already hold or have held a PTSB license or permit. That continuity is useful for coaches or substitute-permit holders later seeking a Standard License.

Required exams and fees

Wyoming uses Praxis II for first-time Elementary Education and Social Studies Composite endorsements; PTSB U.S. and Wyoming Constitution examinations (or coursework). Fees and cut scores appear only when published by the cited source (as of September 2026).

Moving a license to Wyoming

Wyoming’s alternative recognition path is experience-based: a full license earned by a non-traditional route elsewhere plus teaching three of the last six years in that state. Candidates without that history use a position-specific Exception Authorization rather than a statewide alternative license. Military portability remains available for spouses with Wyoming orders and an active professional license.

Official Wyoming reciprocity guidance