| To earn an Idaho teaching certificate, you must hold a bachelor’s degree, complete a state-approved educator preparation program, pass the required Praxis Subject Assessment(s) for your endorsement area, pass a background check, and submit a completed application to the Idaho State Department of Education. The standard certificate is valid for five years and is renewable. |
Teaching in Idaho is a rewarding career choice at a pivotal moment. With over 900 teacher vacancies reported in recent peak years and a 2024 Educator Pipeline Report from the Idaho State Board of Education confirming that shortages in special education, math, and science remain acute, the state’s public schools need qualified educators now more than ever. That demand creates real opportunity — but only after you clear the certification hurdle.
This Prepsaret guide walks you through every step of Idaho teacher certification, from degree requirements and Praxis exams to alternative routes, reciprocity, and renewal. Whether you are a college senior entering a traditional preparation program, a career changer exploring the ABCTE pathway, or an out-of-state teacher relocating to Boise, this is the most complete resource available.
Certification and professional standards in Idaho are overseen by two bodies: the Idaho State Department of Education (SDE) Educator Certification Department and the Idaho State Board of Education (SBOE). Idaho Code §33-1202 sets the statutory minimum qualifications for all instructional certificates. You can verify any educator’s current certification status using the SDE Certification Lookup Tool.
Types of Idaho Teaching Certificates
Idaho issues several distinct certificate types. Understanding which one applies to your situation is the first decision you need to make.
| Certificate type | Duration | Who it’s for | Renewable? |
| Standard (5-year) | 5 years | Traditional program completers | Yes |
| Interim (3-year) | 3 years | Non-traditional / career changers / out-of-state | Converts to 5-year |
| Emergency Provisional | 1 year | Districts facing critical vacancies | Limited renewals |
| Charter School-Specific | Varies | Educators in charter schools only | Varies |
| Pupil Service Staff | 5 years | Counselors, psychologists, SLPs | Yes |
| Career Technical Education (CTE) | 5 years | Industry professionals teaching CTE | Yes |
Basic Eligibility Requirements for Idaho Teacher Certification
Idaho Code §33-1202 establishes the minimum threshold. Every applicant for a standard instructional certificate must satisfy all five of the following conditions.
Bachelor’s Degree
A bachelor’s degree from a regionally accredited institution is the non-negotiable starting point. Idaho does not specify a required major for all endorsement areas — what matters is that your undergraduate coursework aligns with the subject area and grade level you plan to teach.
For elementary education, most programs require a major in liberal studies or elementary education. Secondary candidates typically major in the subject they will teach (e.g., biology, history, mathematics).
Candidates who already hold a bachelor’s degree in a non-education field are not shut out — they may qualify for one of Idaho’s non-traditional certification routes, detailed below.
State-Approved Educator Preparation Program
All candidates for initial certification must complete a state-approved Educator Preparation Program (EPP). Idaho-approved EPPs are offered by every public university in the state as well as several private institutions and online providers. The SDE maintains a current list on its Be an Educator page.
Traditional programs are offered through colleges and universities and combine coursework with a supervised student teaching placement. Non-traditional programs, such as those offered through ABCTE, the College of Southern Idaho, and Lewis-Clark State College, are designed for candidates who already hold a bachelor’s degree and want to enter teaching without completing a full university preparation program.
Student Teaching / Supervised Clinical Practice
For traditional program candidates, a full-time, semester-long student teaching placement is required. During this placement, you teach in a K-12 classroom while supervised by both a cooperating classroom teacher and a university supervisor. You are responsible for planning, instruction, classroom management, and assessment under guided mentorship.
Candidates who are hired to teach during their student teaching year may work with the hiring school to apply for an Alternative Authorization, which allows them to teach in a classroom while completing the supervised experience.
Required Praxis Subject Assessments
Idaho requires all candidates for initial certification to pass the Praxis Subject Assessment(s) corresponding to their intended endorsement area. These tests are administered by ETS (Educational Testing Service) and measure content knowledge and, in some cases, pedagogy skills specific to a grade band or subject.
The Praxis exam fee typically ranges from $90 to $170 per test, depending on the specific assessment. Most subject-area exams are offered in 12-day testing windows roughly monthly. A 21-day waiting period is required between retake attempts.
One important procedural note: the Idaho SDE cannot receive Praxis score reports electronically. When applying for certification, you must download, print, and mail or fax your official score reports to the Idaho SDE together with your application packet.
| Endorsement area | Praxis test | Minimum passing score |
| Elementary Education (K-8) | Elementary Education: Multiple Subjects (5001–5005) | Varies by subtest |
| Mathematics (6-12) | Mathematics: Content Knowledge (5165) | 157 |
| Biology (6-12) | Biology: Content Knowledge (5235) | 150 |
| English Language Arts (6-12) | English Language Arts: Content Knowledge (5039) | 167 |
| Special Education | Special Education: Core Knowledge (5354) | 151 |
| History (6-12) | Social Studies: Content Knowledge (5081) | 149 |
Source: ETS Praxis Idaho Test Requirements — praxis.ets.org/state-requirements/idaho-overview.html
Background Check and Fingerprinting
All applicants must pass a criminal background check. Idaho uses a fingerprint-based check through the Idaho State Police and the FBI. You will need to complete fingerprinting through an Idaho-approved LiveScan provider before your certificate can be issued. The State Board of Education may refuse to issue a certificate to any applicant for reasons that would constitute grounds for revoking an existing certificate.
Application Process and Fees
Once you have completed your preparation program, passed your Praxis exam(s), and cleared your background check, you apply for your certificate through the Idaho SDE. Applications are submitted online through the Idaho System for Educational Excellence (ISEE) portal. You will need to:
- Create an account on the ISEE portal at boardofed.idaho.gov
- Upload your official college transcripts
- Print and mail or fax your official Praxis score report(s) to the Idaho SDE
- Submit proof of your student teaching or supervised clinical experience
- Pay the applicable application fee (currently $100 for initial certificates; $75 for renewal)
Detailed Look at Idaho Certificate Types
Standard Five-Year Certificate
The standard instructional certificate is Idaho’s primary teaching credential. It is valid for five years, expires on August 31 of the expiration year, and is renewable. Once issued, the certificate specifies the grade levels and subject areas (endorsement areas) the holder is authorized to teach.
You may only accept teaching assignments within your certified endorsement areas, though occasional temporary exceptions are authorized through emergency or alternative authorization processes.
Interim Certificate for Non-Traditional Candidates
Candidates who hold a bachelor’s degree but have not completed a traditional state-approved program are typically issued an Interim Certificate valid for three years. During those three years, the candidate must complete a non-traditional educator preparation program (such as ABCTE, CSI, or LCSC) and meet all remaining certification requirements to qualify for conversion to a five-year renewable certificate. Out-of-state teachers entering Idaho under reciprocity also receive an Interim Certificate.
Prepsaret insight: The Interim Certificate is Idaho’s on-ramp for career changers. It is not a lesser credential — you are a fully authorized teacher of record in your endorsement area throughout the three years.
Emergency Provisional Certificate
When a school or district cannot find a fully qualified candidate for a vacancy, the SDE may issue an Emergency Provisional Certificate for one year. These are granted to the individual at the request of the hiring district and require the candidate to be actively working toward full certification.
Districts in critical-need subject areas such as special education, mathematics, and science account for the majority of emergency authorizations issued each year.
According to the Idaho SDE’s 2024-2025 data, alternative authorizations and emergency provisionals continue to increase as districts struggle to fill vacancies with traditionally certified candidates — a trend documented in the 2024 Educator Pipeline Report published by the Idaho State Board of Education.
Pupil Service Staff Certificates
Idaho issues separate certificates for school counselors, school psychologists, speech-language pathologists, and other pupil services personnel. These certificates carry their own preparation program and exam requirements. If you are pursuing one of these careers rather than classroom instruction, contact the SDE Certification Department directly for current requirements.
Alternative Routes to Idaho Teacher Certification
Idaho recognizes that a traditional four-year education degree is not the only preparation for effective teaching. For individuals who already hold a bachelor’s degree in another field, the state offers several non-traditional pathways that let you teach while you complete certification requirements.
What ‘Alternative’ Means in Idaho
Idaho’s non-traditional routes are not shortcuts — they are differently structured pathways that lead to the same standard five-year certificate. All non-traditional candidates must still hold a bachelor’s degree, pass the required Praxis exams, complete a mentored teaching experience, and satisfy any state-specific coursework requirements.
The difference is that you complete much of this while working as a teacher of record under an Interim Certificate, rather than before entering the classroom.
American Board for Certification of Teacher Excellence (ABCTE)
ABCTE is an online, competency-based program that Idaho officially recognizes. Candidates must pass two exams: the Professional Teaching Knowledge exam (which tests pedagogy) and a subject area exam aligned with their intended endorsement.
ABCTE is particularly popular with career changers who have deep content knowledge in a field such as science, mathematics, or technology.
Upon completion of ABCTE requirements, candidates receive an Interim Certificate and must complete a one-year mentored classroom experience in Idaho before qualifying for the standard five-year certificate. The ABCTE website is americanboard.org.
Teach for America (TFA)
Idaho accepts TFA candidates working toward the standard requirements for Idaho teacher licensure. The TFA preparation program in Idaho is administered jointly with Boise State University. TFA prioritizes highly qualified candidates in critical-need areas including biology, math, and technology education. TFA participants receive an Interim Certificate while completing their two-year commitment.
College of Southern Idaho (CSI) and Lewis-Clark State College (LCSC)
Both CSI and LCSC offer state-approved non-traditional certification programs designed for candidates who already hold a bachelor’s degree. These are institution-specific programs tailored to particular teaching areas. Candidates typically receive an Interim Certificate while enrolled and convert to the standard five-year certificate upon program completion.
Who Should Consider an Alternative Route
Alternative certification is well-suited for:
- Career changers in STEM fields who want to bring real-world expertise into secondary classrooms
- Military veterans transitioning to a second career and seeking a pathway that respects their existing competencies
- Industry professionals in CTE subject areas such as healthcare, information technology, culinary arts, or diesel technology
- College graduates who majored in a subject they want to teach but did not complete an education program
For a detailed, side-by-side comparison of all Idaho alternative certification programs including costs, timelines, and eligibility requirements, see our supporting article: Idaho Alternative Teacher Certification.
Idaho Teacher Certification for Out-of-State Applicants
NASDTEC Interstate Agreement
Idaho is a signatory to the NASDTEC Interstate Agreement, a compact among most U.S. states and territories that facilitates cross-state recognition of teaching credentials. Being a member of the compact does not mean automatic reciprocity — it means that Idaho will evaluate your out-of-state certificate and determine what, if any, additional requirements you must meet.
What Out-of-State Teachers Receive
Out-of-state applicants who hold a valid teaching license in another state are typically issued an Interim Certificate valid for three years. During that period, you must complete the Idaho Comprehensive Literacy Course (ICLC) — a state-specific requirement — and pass any required Praxis assessments for your endorsement area if you have not already done so. Once all requirements are met, your Interim Certificate converts to a standard five-year renewable certificate.
Deficiency Plans
In some cases, the SDE will issue a deficiency plan that identifies specific coursework or assessments you must complete to fully align with Idaho’s standards. Deficiency plans are common when an out-of-state certificate was issued under requirements that differ materially from Idaho’s — for example, if your home state did not require a specific Praxis exam or did not include a supervised student teaching component. The SDE will specify the requirements and a timeline for clearing them.
For a comprehensive guide to the reciprocity process, including state-by-state comparison and step-by-step instructions, see our supporting article: Idaho Teacher Certification Reciprocity.
Renewing Your Idaho Teaching Certificate
Renewal Timeline and Professional Development Requirements
Idaho teaching certificates expire on August 31 of the expiration year and must be renewed every five years. Certificates can be renewed as early as January 1 of the expiration year. To qualify for renewal, you must complete six semester credits (or 90 clock hours) of professional development during the five-year validity period.
| Renewal requirement | Detail |
| Professional development credits | 6 semester credits minimum |
| University/college coursework required | At least 3 of the 6 credits must be on university transcripts |
| In-service hours | Up to 3 credits may be in-service hours (15 clock hours = 1 credit) |
| Renewal fee | $75 (online renewal) |
| Application opens | January 1 of the expiration year |
| Certificate expiration date | August 31 of the expiration year |
In some cases, additional subject-specific requirements apply. Elementary teachers and reading specialists may need to complete the Idaho Comprehensive Literacy Course (ICLC) or pass the Idaho Comprehensive Literacy Assessment. Math teachers may need to complete the Idaho Mathematics In-service Program (MTI). The subject area and grade level you teach will determine whether these apply to you.
What Happens If Your Certificate Lapses
If your certificate expires and you have not renewed it, you cannot legally work as a teacher in an Idaho public school until your credential is reinstated. If your certificate has been expired for one year or more, you must apply for a non-renewable Interim Certificate (valid for three years) that allows you to complete the requirements necessary to receive a new standard five-year certificate. You cannot simply pay the renewal fee and have an expired certificate reinstated as active.
The practical lesson: start your renewal process early and track your professional development credits throughout the five years, not just in the final year.
Idaho Teacher Endorsements and Subject Areas
How Endorsements Work
An endorsement is the subject area and grade-band authorization added to your certificate. Your endorsement determines what you are legally allowed to teach in an Idaho public school. Common endorsements include Elementary Education (K-8), Mathematics (6-12), Biology (6-12), Special Education, and many others. The SDE Endorsement List (available as a PDF download on the SDE website) contains every recognized endorsement area and the requirements for each.
Adding an Endorsement to an Existing Certificate
Once you hold a five-year renewable certificate, you can add new endorsements at any time by completing the required coursework and passing the corresponding Praxis Subject Assessment. If you request the endorsement addition at the same time you are renewing your certificate, Idaho waives the additional application fee — the revision is processed at no extra cost as part of the renewal.
High-Need Endorsement Areas in Idaho
The Idaho State Board of Education’s 2024 Educator Pipeline Report identifies Special Education, Mathematics, and Science as the three most persistently understaffed endorsement areas statewide.
According to the report, 68% of unfilled positions are in special education, 52% in math, and 35% in science. Many of these positions are currently filled by teachers assigned outside their certification area on emergency or alternative authorization.
For educators in these high-need areas, Idaho may offer loan forgiveness incentives, signing bonuses through specific district programs, and expedited processing for alternative authorization applications.
The connection between endorsement area and career opportunity is direct: teachers with special education, STEM, and bilingual endorsements face a job market with strong demand across the state.
For detailed salary data by endorsement area and district, see our supporting article: Idaho Teacher Salary and Job Outlook.
Idaho Teacher Salary: A Snapshot
While a full breakdown is covered in our dedicated salary article, here is the data you need for context:
| Teaching level | Idaho median salary (2024) | National comparison |
| High school teachers | $61,000 – $62,300 | 6% below national median |
| Middle school teachers | Approx. $57,000 | Below national median |
| Elementary teachers | Approx. $55,000 – $59,000 | Below national median |
| Special education (high school) | Approx. $48,000 | 21% below HS general ed in Idaho |
Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) 2024 Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics; USAFacts analysis, April 2026.
Idaho ranked 12th lowest in mean teacher salary nationally according to the 2024 Educator Pipeline Report, though the report also notes that eleven states pay less than Idaho.
Teacher benefit packages — including health insurance, PERSI (Public Employee Retirement System of Idaho) retirement contributions, and paid holidays — represent significant additional compensation beyond base salary.
Idaho Teacher Certification Requirements: FAQs
How long does it take to get an Idaho teaching certificate?
If you are completing a traditional four-year university program, the certification process is embedded in your degree program and the certificate is typically issued within four to six weeks of submitting a complete application after graduation. For non-traditional candidates, the timeline depends on how quickly you complete your preparation program and pass your Praxis exams — most candidates in streamlined online programs can earn an Interim Certificate within six to twelve months of beginning their program.
Can I teach in Idaho with an out-of-state license?
Yes, but not immediately and not automatically. Idaho will evaluate your out-of-state certificate under the NASDTEC Interstate Agreement and issue a three-year Interim Certificate. You must then complete any identified deficiency requirements — most commonly the Idaho Comprehensive Literacy Course — before your credential converts to a standard five-year certificate.
What tests do I need to pass to teach in Idaho?
Idaho requires passing Praxis Subject Assessment(s) aligned with your intended endorsement area. There is no state-required general pedagogy exam beyond what is embedded in subject assessments. Some endorsement areas require multiple subtests (for example, Elementary Education requires scores in multiple content areas). The Praxis Core Academic Skills tests (reading, writing, math) may be required for admission to a preparation program but are not a state certification requirement.
Does Idaho have an emergency teaching certificate?
Yes. The Emergency Provisional Certificate is issued at a district’s request when no fully certified candidate is available for a vacancy. It is valid for one year with limited renewals and requires the holder to be actively working toward full certification. Emergency authorizations are most common in special education, math, and science — the state’s highest-need areas.
How do I renew my Idaho teaching certificate?
Complete six semester credits (or 90 clock hours) of professional development during the five-year validity period, then submit a renewal application online through the Idaho SDE portal starting January 1 of your expiration year. At least three of the six credits must appear on university or college transcripts. The renewal fee is $75. Certificates expire August 31.
What happens if I want to add a new subject to my certificate?
You can add an endorsement to an existing certificate at any time by completing the required coursework for that endorsement area and passing the corresponding Praxis Subject Assessment. If you add the endorsement at the same time as a renewal, Idaho waives the additional application fee.
Idaho Teacher Certification Requirements: Final Word
The Praxis Subject Assessment is the certification step that stops the most candidates — not because the tests are impossibly hard, but because candidates underestimate the depth of content knowledge required and go in unprepared. The difference between passing on your first attempt and paying for a retake can come down to how methodically you prepared.
Prepsaret offers Idaho-specific Praxis practice tests, study guides, and answer explanations built around the exact competency areas ETS tests. Our materials are updated to reflect current test versions and Idaho passing score requirements.
Ready to pass your Idaho Praxis exam? Explore Prepsaret’s Idaho Praxis practice tests and study resources at prepsaret.com.