Navigating the Path to Becoming a Nevada Educator: A Comprehensive Guide to Licensure Requirements
The Nevada Department of Education (NDE) is dedicated to expanding and diversifying Nevada's educator workforce, guided by its core values of equity, access to quality, success, inclusivity, community, and transparency. This article provides a comprehensive overview of the licensure requirements for educators in Nevada, drawing upon the NDE's guidelines and resources.
Understanding Nevada's Commitment to Educators
The NDE strives to provide responsive customer service and support to both prospective and current educators. The department consistently updates its resources to meet the evolving needs of candidates and licensed educators. Whether you're just starting your education journey, seeking advanced certification, or moving to Nevada from another state, understanding the licensure process is crucial.
Initial Steps and General Requirements
Criminal Background Check
A criminal background check is mandatory for all licensure applicants, as mandated by Nevada Revised Statutes (NRS) 391.033. This check is separate from any background check required by your employer.
Academic Preparation
Applicants must meet all academic preparation requirements, including student teaching and competency testing, specific to their desired area of licensure. Original transcripts from a regionally accredited college or university, bearing the institution's seal, are required as proof of completion. Electronic transcripts are acceptable if sent directly from the issuing institution or a recognized clearinghouse.
Competency Testing
Candidates must achieve the minimum required score on either the ACT (Composite score of 21 or higher) or SAT (Total score of 1100 or higher). Admission to a Teacher Preparation Program (TPP) is possible without completing the Praxis Core, CBEST, or ACT/SAT exams. However, attempting either the Praxis Core OR CBEST exam is required before the final student teaching semester.
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Types of Teaching Licenses in Nevada
Nevada offers three primary types of teaching licenses:
Non-Renewable License
This license is valid for three years and is issued to teachers who are qualified to teach in Nevada but are missing certain coursework, testing, or student teaching requirements. The license will specify the areas in which the applicant is deficient, and the holder must work towards completing those requirements during the license's validity.
Standard License
A standard license is awarded to individuals who hold a bachelor’s degree and have met all NDE requirements. This license is valid for five years and is renewable.
Professional License
Professional licenses are awarded to educators who have earned a master’s degree or higher, or who hold a National Board Certification. Applicants must also have at least three years of full-time teaching experience.
Navigating the Testing Requirements
Depending on the grade level and subject area you wish to teach, you will need to pass specific tests to earn your standard teaching license in Nevada. These include:
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Praxis Core Academic Skills for Educators
This exam is required for all teaching certification candidates and consists of three tests. These tests can be taken individually or in one sitting, but all must be passed to earn certification.
Principles of Learning and Teaching (PLT)
There are two PLT exams available, one for grades K-6 and another for grades 7-12. The appropriate exam should be selected based on the grade level the candidate is trained to teach.
Praxis II Content Area Tests
These tests assess knowledge in specific subject areas and are required for teachers interested in teaching specific subjects at the higher grade levels. Passing a content area test qualifies the teacher to teach that subject.
Applying for Your Nevada Standard License
Once all requirements are met, applying for a Nevada standard license involves submitting the required documents and ensuring all test scores have been sent to the NDE. An application form must be completed, and a fee submitted.
Specialization and Endorsements
To teach specific subjects or age groups, Nevada offers various endorsements. These endorsements require specialized training, education, and often, passing a content area test.
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Early Childhood Education
Teachers working with students from birth up to second grade must complete all NDE requirements for a standard license, with training and education geared towards early childhood education.
Elementary School (K-8)
Certification for K-8 requires meeting all NDE requirements and ensuring training and education are specific to this age range.
Middle School (7-9)
To teach middle school, teachers must become qualified in a specific area of concentration, such as English/Language Arts, Mathematics, Science, or Social Studies. Each concentration area has a corresponding Praxis exam.
Secondary School (7-12)
Licensure for this grade range requires training and education geared towards this level, along with passing the PLT for 7-12 and a content area test to earn a specific endorsement.
Physical Education (PE)
To specialize in PE, teachers should ensure their education is specific to PE and pass the "Physical Education: Content and Design" Praxis exam to earn a PE endorsement.
Special Education
Teaching special education requires a standard teaching license endorsed in a specific special education area. Nevada offers many special education endorsements, each with different requirements.
English as a Second Language (ESL)
Earning an ESL endorsement requires completing all NDE requirements towards earning a standard teaching license.
Substitute Teaching Licenses
Nevada offers two options for those seeking to become substitute teachers:
Substitute Teaching License
This license requires U.S. citizenship or lawful permanent residence, completion of at least 60 semester hours or an associate’s degree, a background check, and passing competency testing. It permits substitute teaching for any grade from K-12.
Emergency Substitute Teaching License
This license can only be awarded by a school district and requires U.S. citizenship or lawful permanent residence, a high school diploma or equivalent, and a written request from the employing school district. This license is valid for three years, is nonrenewable, and allows teaching K-12.
Becoming a School Administrator
To become a school administrator in Nevada, candidates must hold a valid teaching license (preferably a professional license), a master’s degree, and complete specific graduate semester hours in school administration.
Reciprocity for Out-of-State Teachers
The NDE has reciprocity agreements that simplify the certification process for teachers moving from other states. Reciprocal licensing may waive testing requirements and allow NDE staff to evaluate credentials on a license-for-license basis. Original transcripts and valid copies of current licenses are still required.
Alternative Routes to Licensure (ARL)
The NDE offers state-approved ARL programs for those transitioning careers. Requirements include acceptance into an approved ARL program, a bachelor’s degree, passing the Praxis “Core Academic Skills for Educators” exam, and having a major or minor in the subject area you seek to teach or passing the Praxis II “Content Area Test” for that subject.
Additional Information
Fingerprinting
Northern Nevada students must obtain a substitute-teaching license, create a new account, enter personal information, select "School of Education," click load package, and agree to receive fingerprint forms. Fingerprints must be rolled by an authorizing agency. Results are typically received within 2-5 days.
Fees and Discounts
- $161 (as of 4/2017) for licensure applications. Payments can be made via cashier's check, money order, or Visa, MasterCard, or Discover.
- $30.00 for extensions on current licenses (one-time extension of six months per licensure period).
- $25.00 military discount for Active Duty, Retired, Veterans, and their spouses for new applications and renewals.
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