{"id":7032,"date":"2026-06-06T08:18:59","date_gmt":"2026-06-06T08:18:59","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/prepsaret.com\/praxis\/?p=7032"},"modified":"2026-06-17T21:18:19","modified_gmt":"2026-06-17T21:18:19","slug":"mississippi-teacher-certification-requirements","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/prepsaret.com\/praxis\/mississippi-teacher-certification-requirements","title":{"rendered":"Mississippi Teacher Certification Requirements"},"content":{"rendered":"

Mississippi’s teacher certification system is administered by the Mississippi Department of Education (MDE) Office of Educator Licensure and governed by Mississippi Code \u00a7 37-3-2.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

The state operates a four-class license structure \u2014 Class A through Class AAAA \u2014 built on a foundation of academic preparation, approved program completion, and standardized testing. All standard Mississippi teacher licenses are valid for five years and are renewable through continuing professional development.<\/span><\/p>\n

Per teachercertificationdegrees.com MS (March 1, 2026): ‘The main steps for the traditional path to teacher certification in Mississippi are: Complete a bachelor’s degree with a state-approved teacher preparation component. Complete a student teaching placement. Pass the required teacher certification exams. Apply for a teaching certificate or license.’ Per praxisexam.org, MS: ‘Mississippi teacher certification requires candidates who apply for a Mississippi teaching license to first satisfy degree requirements, complete approved Mississippi teacher preparation programs requirements, satisfy student teaching requirements, and pass all Mississippi teacher certification tests.’<\/span><\/p>\n

The MDE’s authoritative regulatory document \u2014 the Guidelines for Mississippi Educator Licensure K-12 \u2014 was last updated in August 2024. This document, available at mdek12.org, is the definitive source for all certification requirements, class definitions, alternate route guidelines, reciprocity rules, and renewal options. All candidates should verify current requirements against this document before submitting applications.<\/span><\/p>\n

Mississippi Teacher Certification: Key Numbers at a Glance<\/b><\/h2>\n\n\n\n
4<\/b><\/p>\n

License Class Levels<\/b><\/p>\n

Class A through AAAA; bachelor’s to doctorate<\/span><\/i><\/td>\n

5 yrs<\/b><\/p>\n

Standard License Validity<\/b><\/p>\n

All classes; renewable with PD requirements<\/span><\/i><\/td>\n

3<\/b><\/p>\n

Required Praxis Tests<\/b><\/p>\n

Core + Subject Assessment + PLT (traditional)<\/span><\/i><\/td>\n

2.5<\/b><\/p>\n

Min. Overall GPA<\/b><\/p>\n

2.75 major GPA; MDE and alleducationschools.com<\/span><\/i><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n

\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n
ELMS<\/b><\/p>\n

Application Portal<\/b><\/p>\n

MDE Educator Licensure Management System<\/span><\/i><\/td>\n

BA Min.<\/b><\/p>\n

Class A Minimum<\/b><\/p>\n

Bachelor’s in education or related field<\/span><\/i><\/td>\n

$53,704<\/b><\/p>\n

Avg. Teacher Salary (2023-24)<\/b><\/p>\n

NEA; lowest nationally; low cost of living<\/span><\/i><\/td>\n

NASDTEC<\/b><\/p>\n

Reciprocity Framework<\/b><\/p>\n

5-yr out-of-state cert available; NASDTEC member<\/span><\/i><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n

Sources: teachercertification.com MS \u2014 Class A through AAAA definitions; alleducationschools.com MS (Feb 2026) \u2014 5-yr valid; 2.5 GPA; ELMS; no state background check requirement; teachercertificationdegrees.com MS (March 2026) \u2014 Praxis Core + PLT + Subject Assessment; praxisexam.org MS \u2014 4 license classes; NASDTEC reciprocity; NEA 2023-24 \u2014 $53,704.<\/span><\/i><\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/span>Mississippi’s Teacher Certification System<\/b><\/h2>\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n
Mississippi Teacher Certification \u2014 Complete Checklist (Traditional Route)<\/b><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
1. BACHELOR’S DEGREE: From an accredited institution in education or a related subject area. GPA requirements: 2.5 overall OR 2.75 in the major subject area.<\/span><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
2. MDE-APPROVED EDUCATOR PREPARATION PROGRAM (EPP): Completion of a Mississippi-approved or NCATE\/CAEP-accredited teacher preparation program.<\/span><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
3. STUDENT TEACHING: A full-time, semester-long supervised student teaching placement corresponding to the grade level and subject area sought.<\/span><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
4. PRAXIS CORE: Pass Praxis Core Academic Skills for Educators (Reading, Writing, Mathematics) \u2014 OR have a qualifying ACT\/SAT score OR 3.0 GPA in specific coursework.<\/span><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
5. PRAXIS PLT: Pass the Praxis Principles of Learning and Teaching (PLT) exam for the appropriate grade level band.<\/span><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
6. PRAXIS SUBJECT ASSESSMENT: Pass the Praxis Subject Assessment for the specific endorsement area and grade level.<\/span><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
7. FOUNDATIONS OF READING (Elementary\/SpEd only): Required for all elementary and special education candidates.<\/span><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
8. APPLY THROUGH ELMS: Submit application through the MDE Educator Licensure Management System (ELMS); include transcripts, Praxis scores, student teaching verification, and EPP recommendation.<\/span><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Sources: teachercertificationdegrees.com MS (March 2026); alleducationschools.com MS (Feb 2026); MDE (mdek12.org); MDE Guidelines for MS Educator Licensure K-12 (Aug 2024).<\/span><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n

Who Governs Certification: MDE and Mississippi Code \u00a7 37-3-2<\/b><\/h2>\n

Teacher certification in Mississippi is governed by:<\/span><\/p>\n