How to Become a High School Teacher in Indiana

High school teachers play a vital role in guiding students toward college- and career readiness. These teachers get to specialize in a particular subject and generally get to go more in-depth than teachers at other levels.  

In Indiana, high school teachers are in high demand. The U.S. Dept. of Labor is projecting 3% growth in jobs for secondary school teachers in Indiana by 2032 (compared to 2022). That’s an average of 1,280 open jobs every single year.  

If your goal is to teach at the high school level, there are multiple pathways to becoming a teacher in the Hoosier State. Keep reading to learn more about the requirements for high school teachers in Indiana and the steps you could take to earn your license.  

Comprehensive Guide on How to Become a Teacher in Indiana 

No matter what grades you plan to teach, aspiring educators in Indiana follow the same general steps to licensure. The main differences come down to the licensure path you choose — in-state versus out-of-state, for example — and the specific licensure exams you’ll take to earn your credential.  

For a step-by-step breakdown of the process, check out our How to Become a Teacher in Indiana guide. This guide explains licensure pathways and requirements and offers tips and advice for an easy transition into teaching.

What Do You Need to Be a High School Teacher in Indiana?  

Indiana teachers are required to have a bachelor’s degree and to complete an Educator Preparation Program (EPP). Then, they must pass the required Praxis exams, earn a CPR/AED certification, and complete trainings on preventing suicide, human trafficking, and child abuse/neglect.

The Indiana Department of Education oversees licensure, and the Indiana Licensing Verification and Information System (LVIS) processes all teaching applications.

If you have a high school degree and you know you want to be a teacher, then earning a bachelor’s degree is your next step. It will probably take about 4 years to earn a bachelor’s degree in education.

If you already have a bachelor’s degree in another field, you can likely accelerate your path to earning your teaching license. You could complete an alternative or graduate-level EPP and earn your license that way. For example, Moreland University’s TEACH-NOW Teacher Preparation Certificate Program can be completed in as little as 9 months, 100% online. It is important to note that TEACH-NOW is an out-of-state EPP in Indiana, so you would earn your teaching license in another state and use Indiana’s reciprocity process to transfer the credential (more on that below).

Steps to Becoming a High School Teacher in Indiana 

Out-of-State Preparatory Program 

Indiana offers multiple pathways to licensure, including in-state, out-of-state, and alternative routes. A lot of this depends on your EPP. If you choose an out-of-state EPP, like Moreland’s online TEACH-NOW program, you would earn your teaching license in another state or the District of Columbia and use Indiana’s reciprocity process to transfer the credential.

Here’s an example of reciprocity via Washington, D.C.:  

1. Earn your bachelor’s degree. It does not necessarily have to be in education.  
2. Complete an EPP. Moreland’s TEACH-NOW program is 100% online and can be completed in as little as 9 months.
3. Pass the required certification exams for D.C. Just like Indiana, D.C. uses Praxis exams for teacher certification. Your specific exams will vary depending on the subject you want to teach. For example, if you want to be a history teacher, you might take the Praxis Secondary Social Studies exam along with the Principles of Learning and Teaching (PLT) for grades 7-12.    
4. Submit your fingerprints for a background check and apply for your D.C. teaching license.  
5. Use reciprocity to apply for your Indiana license. Indiana makes this process easier for teachers who complete an EPP accredited by the Council for the Accreditation of Educator Preparation (CAEP). Moreland University was the first online program to earn CAEP accreditation. 
6. Complete any additional requirements. This could include, for example, earning your CPR certification or taking training on preventing suicide, human trafficking, and child abuse/neglect. If you need to take any additional Praxis exams, you would complete those at this point as well.

Your first license in Indiana is likely to be an Initial Practitioner License, which is valid for two years. After completing the Indiana Mentor and Assessment Program or a Professional Growth Plan, you could advance to the Proficient Practitioner License. 

It’s important to note this is just one example of a potential path. For more detailed information, visit the Indiana Department of Education website.

In-State Preparatory Program 

If you choose an in-state EPP in Indiana, you’ll follow a similar process:  

1. Earn a bachelor’s degree. 
2. Complete an EPP. Indiana has a list of approved EPPs as well as a list of approved Transition to Teaching programs, for career professionals looking to move into teaching.
3. Pass the required exams. For a high-school license, you’ll take the Praxis exams for the content area you want to teach. For example, to teach high school math, you would need to pass the Praxis Mathematics Content Knowledge Exam along with the Principles of Learning and Teaching: PreK-12 test. The Praxis website has more information about testing.
4. Complete additional training. You will need a valid CPR/AED certification as well as training in preventing suicide, human trafficking, and child abuse/neglect. These must be led by a certified provider.
5. Submit your Indiana application. As part of the application process, you will submit your fingerprints for a background check.       

Again, this is one example of how a teacher could earn a license in Indiana. For more detailed information, visit the IDOE website.

Why Reciprocity Might Make Sense for You 

Reciprocity could be the ideal path for you if:  

• You are licensed in another state but plan to teach in Indiana. 
• You prefer the flexibility of an out-of-state EPP, such as Moreland’s 9-month, online TEACH-NOW program.   

Every teacher is different, and it’s important to consider your career goals and your wants and needs as you plan your path to the classroom. For example, do you prefer an online or in-person EPP? How quickly do you want to earn your license? When do you want to start your program (some follow a traditional school calendar; others, like Moreland University, have monthly start dates)? 

Once you map out your priorities, you can choose the EPP that best aligns.  

Can You Become a High School Teacher in Indiana Without a Teaching Degree? 

Yes! Many Indiana teachers have a degree in a non-education field. Indiana welcomes career changers and even has multiple alternate teacher pathways. Especially in high school, having work experience in your content area can be a huge benefit as you teach students who are about to embark on their own college and career pathways. 

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Ready to take the next step? Earn your teaching license in as little as 9 months with Moreland University. Our TEACH-NOW Teacher Preparation Certificate Program is accredited and 100% online, with rolling admissions and monthly start dates. 

Once you complete the TEACH-NOW program, you have the option to add on a master’s degree in just 3 additional months. Apply for free (the application only takes about 15 minutes), and you’ll hear back within 2 business days.