How to Get Your Indiana
Teacher Certification
Indiana offers a wealth of opportunity for educators who want to make a lasting impact on students and communities. With more than 1 million students from richly diverse backgrounds, the Hoosier State is home to vibrant classrooms where teachers can truly thrive.
This guide will walk you through the steps to earning your teaching license in Indiana — from choosing the right Educator Preparation Program (EPP) to passing the required exams and applying for your credential.
Indiana Department of Education
The Indiana Department of Education (IDOE) oversees teacher licensure in the state. The IDOE’s Office of Educator Licensing manages the application process and helps teachers navigate their path to the classroom.
How to Become a Licensed Teacher in Indiana
Indiana offers several pathways to the classroom, designed to accommodate different backgrounds and career histories.
In-State Preparatory Program
If you’re a high school graduate in Indiana who wants to go into teaching, you could earn your license while completing your bachelor’s degree at an Indiana college or university. This is often called the traditional pathway.
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Out-of-State Preparatory Program
If you prefer an out-of-state EPP, you could earn your teaching certification in another state and use the reciprocity process to transfer your license to Indiana.
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Alternative Licensure Paths
Indiana has multiple alternative paths to licensure for candidates who have a bachelor’s degree (or higher) and want to transition into teaching.
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For comprehensive details on all licensure pathways and requirements, visit the Indiana Department of Education website.
Benefits of Earning Your Indiana Teaching License
Strong Demand for Teachers
Indiana is projecting more than 2% growth in jobs for elementary, middle, and secondary school teachers by 2032, compared to 2022, according to the U.S. Dept. of Labor. That’s an average of 4,000 open jobs every year.
Diverse Student Population
Indiana educates more than 1 million students from richly diverse backgrounds. Thirty-eight percent of Indiana students are students of color, according to state data, 10% are English language learners, and 18% are special education students.
Low Cost of Living
The cost of living in the Hoosier State is 8% lower than the national average. This means teachers’ well-earned dollars stretch further than they would in other areas of the country.
A Mandated Minimum Wage
In 2025, Indiana passed a bill that raised the minimum teacher salary to $45,000. Teachers in the state are encouraged by this decision while advocating for even more support.
License Types in Indiana
Indiana offers multiple license types to support teachers in different situations and at different stages of their careers.
Initial Practitioner License
This is a 2-year license for new teachers in Indiana.
Requirements:
- Bachelor’s degree
- EPP completion, including student teaching
- Passing scores on the required Praxis exams
- Valid CPR certification as well as training on preventing suicide, human trafficking, and child abuse/neglect
- Fingerprint and background checks
Practitioner License
This is the next step for licensed teachers in Indiana. A Practitioner License is valid for 5 years and is renewable.
Requirements:
- At least two years of teaching experience
- Completion of the Indiana Mentor and Assessment Program (IMAP), completion of a Professional Growth Plan (PGP), or completion of another approved license conversion option
Emergency Permit
This is a temporary credential that allows a non-licensed individual to fill a teaching spot when the district is having trouble finding a licensed educator. An Emergency Permit is valid for 1 school year.
Requirements:
- Bachelor’s degree, including official transcripts
- Commitment to work toward completing an EPP or any additional license requirements
- Valid CPR certification as well as training on preventing suicide, human trafficking, and child abuse/neglect
- Fingerprint and background checks
For more information and additional license types, visit the Indiana Department of Education website.
Indiana Teacher Education Requirements
General Requirements
Indiana teachers are required to hold a bachelor’s degree and complete an EPP. They also need to pass the required licensure exams, complete fingerprint and background checks, earn a CPR certification, and complete training on preventing suicide, human trafficking, and child abuse/neglect.
Testing Requirements
Indiana uses Praxis exams for teacher licensure. Specific tests will vary based on the subject and grades you wish to teach.
Education Requirements
Indiana has pathways for teachers who complete in-state or out-of-state preparation programs. There are also multiple alternative licensure paths, largely geared toward career changers.
Indiana Licensing Application Process
Once you’ve completed your licensure requirements, you’ll submit your application through Indiana’s License Verification and Information System (LVIS). The online portal allows you to upload the required documents, track your application status, and pay application fees.
Indiana Educator Preparation Programs (EPPs)
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.
If you prefer to complete an out-of-state EPP, like Moreland University’s 9-month, 100% online TEACH-NOW Teacher Preparation Certificate Program, you could earn your teaching license in another state and use Indiana’s reciprocity process to transfer the credential.
TEACH-NOW:
- Fully accredited by CAEP and others
- 100% online
- Global cohort model
- Rolling admissions
- Monthly start dates
- 9 months total
- Clinical learning (student teaching) included
Moreland University’s Guide to Teacher Certification in Indiana provides a streamlined overview of what it takes to become a certified teacher in the Hoosier State.
FAQs
How do I become an Indiana teacher?
Indiana offers multiple pathways to teacher licensure, including for those who complete an in-state EPP, an out-of-state EPP, or an alternative path.
In general, the requirements for Indiana teachers include:
- A bachelor’s degree or higher
- EPP completion
- Passing scores on the required Praxis exams
- Valid CPR certification as well as training on preventing suicide, human trafficking, and child abuse/neglect
- Fingerprint and background checks
For more detailed information, visit the Indiana Department of Education’s page on Educator Licensing.
How can out-of-state teachers earn a teaching license in Indiana?
If you complete an out-of-state EPP or hold a valid teaching license in another state, you’ll use Indiana’s reciprocity process to transfer your license to the Hoosier State. You will need to earn a CPR certification and complete Indiana’s required training on preventing suicide, human trafficking, and child abuse/neglect. If any additional licensure exams are required, you will take those as well.
It’s important to note this is just one example of a potential pathway for an out-of-state teacher. For more detailed information, visit the Indiana Department of Education’s page on Educator Licensing.
Do I need a license to teach in Indiana?
Yes, in most cases you need a valid Indiana license to teach in public schools. Indiana does offer an Emergency Permit for cases where a school or district is having difficulty filling a position with a licensed teacher.
For more information, visit the Indiana Department of Education website.
What are the requirements for Indiana teacher licensure?
In general, the requirements for Indiana teachers include:
- A bachelor’s degree or higher
- EPP completion
- Passing scores on the required Praxis exams
- Valid CPR certification as well as training on preventing suicide, human trafficking, and child abuse/neglect
- Fingerprint and background checks
For more detailed information, visit the Indiana Department of Education’s page on Educator Licensing.
How do I maintain my Indiana teaching license?
Indiana requires teachers to renew or advance their license after a set number of years. Specifics vary by license type, but a renewal or advancement may include ongoing professional development, for example, or completing the Indiana Mentor and Assessment Program (IMAP) or a Professional Growth Plan (PGP).
For more comprehensive information, visit the Indiana Department of Education website.
How long does it take to become a licensed teacher in Indiana?
The timeline to become a licensed teacher in Indiana can vary depending on your educational background, the specific pathway you choose, and the time it takes to complete the required exams and training programs.
If you’re an undergrad earning your bachelor’s degree in education, for example, that typically takes about 4 years.
If you already have a bachelor’s degree, your path to a license could be much faster. Moreland University’s TEACH-NOW Teacher Preparation Certificate Program can be completed in as little as 9 months. TEACH-NOW is 100% online, with rolling admissions, monthly start dates, and clinical learning (student teaching) included.
Since TEACH-NOW is an out-of-state EPP in Indiana, it’s important to note that you would earn your teaching credential in another state and then transfer the license to Indiana through the reciprocity process.
For more information, visit the Indiana Department of Education website.
How much do Indiana teachers make?
The average teacher salary in Indiana is $58,620, according to the National Education Association. That’s No. 39 in the nation.
The average starting teacher salary is $45,007 in the Hoosier State.
It’s important to note that these are averages, and your specific salary will vary based on factors like experience, education level, job type, and district.
How can I learn more about becoming a licensed teacher in Indiana?
The Indiana Department of Education is the best resource to learn more about teacher licensure in Indiana.
You can also reach out to Moreland University at admissions@moreland.edu or 844-283-2246. We’d be happy to answer your questions about teacher certification or our 9-month, 100% online Educator Preparation Program.