How to Get Your Oregon
Teacher Certification
Your Oregon teaching license is a crucial step toward a meaningful, rewarding career in education. Oregon has a strong demand for teachers and plenty of support to help prospective educators, including career changers, navigate their path to the classroom.
This guide will walk you through the steps to earning your teaching license in the Beaver State — from choosing the right Educator Preparation Program to passing the required exams and applying for your credential.
Oregon Department of Education
The Teacher Standards and Practices Commission is the licensing agency for all educators in Oregon. TSCP is your primary source for understanding licensure rules, applying for your credential, and maintaining and renewing it throughout your career.
On the TSCP website, you’ll find information on first-time licenses, upgrading to a professional license, particular endorsements and specializations, FAQs, and more.
How to Become a Licensed Teacher in Oregon
Oregon offers several pathways to the classroom, designed to accommodate different backgrounds and career histories.
Undergraduate Licensure Program
If you’re a high school graduate who does not yet hold a bachelor’s degree, you can complete a four-year, undergraduate teaching program. This is often called the traditional path.
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Graduate Teacher Preparation Program
If you already have a bachelor’s degree in a subject other than education, you can complete a state-approved Educator Preparation Program and earn your teaching license. This allows you to transition to teaching without having to start over on a new bachelor’s degree.
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Out-of-State Preparation Program
If you prefer an online or out-of-state program, you can earn your teaching license in another state and use Oregon’s Reciprocal Teaching License process to transfer the credential to Oregon. Moreland University’s TEACH-NOW Teacher Preparation Certificate Program is a great option. It’s 100% online and can be completed in as little as 9 months.
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For comprehensive details on all licensure pathways and requirements, visit the TSPC website.
Benefits of Earning Your Oregon Teaching License
Strong Demand for Teachers
Oregon is projecting more than 1,800 open jobs every year for elementary, middle, and secondary school teachers, according to the U.S. Dept. of Labor. This is a challenge for school leaders but presents an opportunity for prospective teachers who want to break into the field.
Competitive Teacher Pay
The average teacher salary in Oregon is $77,130, according to the National Education Association. That’s the 11th highest rate in the nation and $5,100 a year more than the national average.
A Supportive Environment
Oregon’s K-12 teacher workforce is more than 31,000 strong, according to the department of education, and 80% of licensed teachers in the state have more than 3 years of experience.
Diverse Student Population
Oregon is home to more than 539,000 K-12 students with richly diverse backgrounds. Twenty-seven percent of Oregon students are Hispanic/Latino, according to state data, and 19% are English language learners.
License Types in Oregon
Oregon offers multiple license types to support teachers in different situations and at different stages of their careers.
Preliminary Teaching License
This is the traditional first license for new teachers in Oregon who have completed an approved Educator Preparation Program. It’s valid for 3 years and is renewable.
Requirements:
- Bachelor’s degree or higher
- Completed EPP
- Passing scores on the Oregon Educator Licensure Assessments and Praxis exams
- Fingerprint and background checks
Professional Teaching License
This is an optional license upgrade for more experienced teachers in Oregon, with eligibility based on experience and advanced studies. A Professional Teaching License is renewable and valid for 5 years.
Requirements:
- Experience: 4 years of full-time teaching or 6 years of part-time teaching
- Advanced professional education, such as an advanced degree, National Board Certification, or an advanced professional development program
Reciprocal Teaching License
This is for teachers who completed an out-of-state EPP and/or who hold a valid teaching license in another state. A Reciprocal Teaching License is valid for 1 year, giving educators time to meet any outstanding Oregon licensure requirements.
Requirements:
- Bachelor’s degree
- Completed EPP
- Copy of your out-of-state license
- Fingerprint and background checks
Emergency or Provisional License
This is for educators who have not yet completed all the requirements for a Preliminary Teaching License. Emergency licenses are designed for short-term use only (typically less than a year) and may not continue once the emergency situation is resolved.
Requirements:
- Sponsorship from the Oregon school or district requesting the emergency position
- Official transcripts
- Resume
- Fingerprint and background checks
For more comprehensive information on license types and requirements, visit the TSPC website.
Oregon Teacher Education Requirements
General Requirements
Oregon teachers are required to hold a bachelor’s degree and complete an Educator Preparation Program. They also need to pass the required licensure exams and complete fingerprint and background checks.
Testing Requirements
Oregon teachers take the Oregon Educator Licensure Assessments as well as Praxis exams. Specific tests will vary based on the subject and grades you wish to teach. For more info, visit the state department of education’s testing website.
Education Requirements
Oregon requires a minimum of a bachelor’s degree for teachers. If your degree is in something other than education, you can earn your license through a graduate teacher preparation program.
Oregon Licensing Application Process
When you are ready to apply for your license, the process is managed entirely online through the TSPC. You’ll create an account to submit your application, which will help you track your progress and handle any additional requests.
Oregon Educator Preparation Programs (EPPs)
Oregon has a list of approved in-state EPPs. If you prefer an out-of-state program, like Moreland University’s 100% online TEACH-NOW Teacher Preparation Certificate Program, you could earn your teaching license in another state and use Oregon’s Reciprocal Teaching License process to transfer the credential to Oregon.
TEACH-NOW:
- Fully accredited
- 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 Oregon provides a streamlined overview of what it takes to become a certified teacher in the Beaver State.
FAQs
You have questions about becoming a licensed teacher in Oregon. We have answers.
How do I become an Oregon teacher?
Oregon offers multiple pathways to licensure, with paths for undergrads, those who already hold a bachelor’s degree, and those coming from or completing an Educator Preparation Program in another state.
In general, the basic requirements for teachers in Oregon include:
- A bachelor’s degree or higher
- EPP completion
- Passing scores on the Oregon Educator Licensure Assessments
- Fingerprint and background checks
For more detailed information, visit the Teacher Standards and Practices Commission webpage. The TSPC oversees licensure for all teachers in Oregon.
How can out-of-state teachers earn a teaching license in Oregon?
Oregon has a Reciprocal Teaching License for teachers who completed an out-of-state EPP and/or who hold a valid teaching license in another state. This license is valid for 1 year, giving educators time to meet any outstanding Oregon licensure requirements.
Do I need a teaching license to teach in Oregon?
Yes, in most cases, you need a valid Oregon license to teach in public schools. Oregon offers different license types to support teachers in different situations and at different career stages. For more information, visit the Teacher Standards and Practices Commission webpage.
What are the requirements for Oregon teacher licensure?
Oregon teachers need to have a minimum of a bachelor’s degree; complete an Educator Preparation Program; pass the required licensure exams; and complete fingerprinting and a background check.
Requirements will vary based on the subject and grades you want to teach as well as the type of license you are applying for. For more detailed information, visit the Teacher Standards and Practices Commission webpage.
How do I maintain my Oregon teaching license?
Oregon teachers are required to regularly renew their licenses. Renewal typically requires completing professional development activities or continuing education courses, as well as paying renewal fees and meeting any other TSPC requirements.
How long does it take to become a licensed teacher in Oregon?
The timeline to become a licensed teacher in Oregon 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 Moreland is an out-of-state EPP in Oregon, it’s important to note that you would earn your teaching credential in another state and then transfer the license to Oregon through the Reciprocal Teaching License process. For more information, visit the Teacher Standards and Practices Commission website.
How much do Oregon teachers make?
The average teacher salary in Oregon is $77,130, according to the National Education Association. That’s the 11th highest rate in the nation and $5,100 a year higher than the national average.
The average starting teacher salary is lower, according to the NEA: $44,446. That’s No. 33 in the nation.
It’s important to note that your specific salary will vary based on factors like experience, education level, job type, and district. For more information, check out this blog post on teacher salaries in Oregon.
How can I learn more about becoming a licensed teacher in Oregon?
The Teacher Standards and Practices Commission is the best resource to learn more about teacher licensure in Oregon.
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.