Becoming a Physical Education Teacher: Requirements and Career Path

Physical education teachers play a vital role in the overall development of students, contributing to their physical health, cognitive skills, and social well-being. For those passionate about fitness, sports, and education, a career in physical education can be incredibly fulfilling. This article outlines the requirements, educational paths, and career prospects for becoming a physical education teacher.

The Importance of Physical Education

Physical education teachers are vital to learning as they contribute to the overall improvement of education. A physical education teacher engages students in physical activity during their school day. Physical athletic activity is a main focus of P.E. PE teachers are also responsible for promoting healthy habits, assisting students with social skills, and improving motor function and cognitive development. Physical education involves teaching Pre-Kindergarten through grade twelve children the performance and understanding of basic motor skills, games, and lifelong fitness activities as well as the social and personal skills related to participating in physical activities. Physical Educators at all levels are responsible for addressing these skills on a continuum of ability levels to include meeting the needs of children with disabilities.

Educational Requirements

To become a physical education teacher, aspiring educators must meet specific educational and certification requirements. The requirements for becoming a physical education teacher vary from state to state, but there is one standard across the country: obtaining a bachelor’s degree. In fact, earning a master’s degree in education, kinesiology, or athletic training is becoming more and more commonplace with some states requiring a completed graduate degree in order to teach PE.

Bachelor's Degree

The first step is to earn a bachelor’s degree in physical education, kinesiology, or a related field. A bachelor’s degree - preferably in physical education, kinesiology or physiology, physical therapy, or nutrition and health - is a minimum education requirement for beginning physical education teachers at the middle- and high-school levels. This degree will provide you with the foundational knowledge and skills necessary for a career in PE teaching. Technically, any bachelor’s degree will be sufficient to pursue teaching high school PE; however, there are some degree paths that will make the journey much easier than others. The two most common degree paths are (1) pursuing a degree in education that integrates required physical education courses and teaching experience and (2) pursuing a degree in athletic training, kinesiology, or other related field and making up the education components with a fifth-year master’s degree or credential.

Teacher Preparation Program

In addition to your degree, you’ll need to complete a teacher preparation program. Most future teachers enroll in a teacher education program in college. These programs offer studies relating to classroom management and curriculum development, with a semester-long student teaching practicum. Integrated programs are designed for students to complete their teaching experience assignment and obtain their teaching credential by the time they earn their bachelor's degree. During your teacher preparation program, you’ll complete a student teaching experience.

State Certification

After completing your education and teacher preparation program, you’ll need to obtain state certification to teach physical education. A state-issued teaching certificate or license is generally required to teach. Specific certification and licensing requirements vary from state to state. Teachers are often required to complete years of teaching and take professional development courses as a condition of certification. The Certificate of Eligibility with Advanced Standing (CEAS) is issued to an individual who has completed a teacher preparation program and met requirements for certification, including academic study and applicable test requirements. The Certificate of Eligibility (CE) is issued to an individual who has not completed a teacher preparation program but meets the basic requirements for certification, including academic study and applicable test requirements. This certificate is requested by a school district for a newly hired teacher after the teacher obtains a Certificate of Eligibility (CE) or a Certificate of Eligibility with Advanced Standing (CEAS). A candidate cannot apply for this certificate. Complete an online test.

Advanced Degrees

While not required, pursuing an advanced degree can enhance your knowledge and career prospects.

Degree Paths

If you are still considering which degree you should earn in order to become a high school PE teacher, the quickest way to achieve your goal is through the traditional teaching route. requires physical education teachers to pass competency tests and obtain their state teaching credentials, so earning a degree in education through an integrated program that will set you up for success in this area is typically the quickest solution. The downside of this path is that you will likely not get to take the same types of courses as a physical education or kinesiology degree, which include topics like Theories in Physical Education, Theories in Sports Pedagogy, and Team and Individual Sports.

Athletic Training & Kinesiology Routes to Teach PE

If you are drawn more toward coursework on health and fitness, then pursuing a degree in athletic training or kinesiology will likely be more rewarding for you. However, earning a bachelor’s degree in these areas alone will not be sufficient to apply for your teaching credential. Unless your program is tailored specifically for future PE teachers, you will most likely need to take extra coursework in education to earn a post-baccalaureate degree in addition to your bachelor’s degree. With this approach, you will need to complete two to three more semesters of classes, as well as a student teaching assignment. This additional coursework will be necessary before you are eligible to obtain your single-subject teaching credential. This is also the same route you can take if you have already completed a bachelor’s degree in any other field. Earning a post-baccalaureate degree is not the same as earning a master’s degree, but some institutions will allow that coursework to count toward a future master’s degree. Alternatively, certain states will also allow internships in lieu of a post-baccalaureate degree. This would allow you to complete the coursework required for a preliminary credential while working in a supervised but paid teaching position.

Step-by-Step Recap

Here is a step-by-step recap of the process:

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Step 1: Complete your education. If you do not complete your bachelor’s degree through a program that integrates educational requirements, you will need to either complete a post-baccalaureate program in education or enroll in an internship.
Step 2: Take and pass the competency exams. In order to become a high school PE teacher, you must pass your state’s competency exam. California’s Subject Examination for Teachers in Physical Education contains three sections that cover topics in human movement and motor function, among other topics. The first two tests consist of 40 multiple-choice questions and two constructed-response questions. The final test has the same amount of multiple-choice questions but only one constructed-response question.
Step 3: Obtain your teaching credentials. Integrated bachelor’s programs will normally incorporate your teaching credential into your program. However, if you are not pursuing an integrated program, you will need to separately apply for your state’s teaching credential. Usually, a single-subject teaching credential will suffice for teaching physical education.

Job Levels and Responsibilities

Numerous factors come into play when determining what grade level to teach.

Elementary School (Grades K-5)

Elementary P.E. teachers generally teach students grades K-5 (children aged 5-12). The Society of Health and Physical Education (SHAPE) offers standards for K-12 physical education, beginning with elementary schools. The competency of basic locomotor and non-locomotor movements in various forms and patterns is the focus at the elementary level. For example, an elementary curriculum will include instruction in psychomotor skills such as running, walking, hopping, jumping, kicking, throwing, and striking.

Middle School (Grades 6-8)

Middle school P.E. teachers generally teach students from grades 6-8 and are trained to understand the psychological, social, and intellectual development of children ages 11-14. Teaching students of this age combines elements of teaching both high school and elementary students. The time during middle school is when youth are most transformed. They enter as children and leave as teens. Procedures are extremely important to facilitate a smooth transition from elementary to middle school. As adolescence progresses within this age group, locker room management is a key function of physical education at the middle school level. The middle school physical education teacher typically works with grades 6-8. They are responsible for the future development of motor and non-locomotor movements through an array of varied organized individual and team activities. Social skills are stressed in the middle school curriculum.

High School (Grades 9-12)

High school physical education teachers generally teach grades 9-12 (students aged 14-18). Secondary physical education (grades 9-12) stresses participation in life long activities such as aerobics, rock climbing, hiking, biking, jogging, and functional training. The high school curriculum encourages students to become proficient in activities that can be experienced over a lifetime. Some schools offer a wellness curriculum for their students that emphasize a holistic approach to wellness. This curriculum may include classes in first aid, interpersonal relationships, sexuality, and nutrition in addition to sport and movement activities.

Postsecondary

Postsecondary physical education instructors have opportunities to train future P.E. teachers through innovative techniques in athletics, physiology, aerobics, nutrition, and health. Postsecondary physical education teachers work in junior colleges, state and private colleges, and universities. Postsecondary physical education teachers teach in lecture halls and medium-size classrooms, gymnasiums and outdoor sporting facilities, and even online. They specialize in teaching tomorrow’s physical education teachers, who earn credentials to teach elementary, intermediate-level, or high school students. Postsecondary teachers have more flexibility over the format of their instructional methods than their K-12 counterparts. They also have greater control over their schedules, with many postsecondary instructors teaching part time, as well as full time. With today’s computer technology, the advent of relatively affordable telecommunications and online college courses, postsecondary teachers have additional teaching options. Many online instructors work in adjunct teaching roles.

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Essential Skills and Qualities

Physical education teachers should be well grounded in classroom management and school procedures. With a renewed focus on improving core curriculum standards for English language arts and math, physical education teachers are expected to incorporate reading, writing, and arithmetic into their courses. assignments illustrating the meanings of numerous terms, such as “traveling” and “off-sides” or the difference between 2- vs. Many physical education teachers continue their own love of sports by coaching after-school sports teams in the afternoons, evenings, and occasionally weekends within their district. There are many constants within the profession of teaching physical education, regardless of the grade level. To teach physical education today, you are required to have extensive knowledge on health and diet, in addition to fitness and training, and be able to teach soft-skills such as leadership and team-building.

Job Outlook and Salary

With your education and certification in hand, you’re ready to start your search for physical education jobs. Salary ranges for elementary, middle, and high school teachers can vary depending on the state, school district, experience, and degree. According to Career Explorer, the median annual salary for physical education teachers is $39,293. The Bureau of Labor and Statistics states that the employment of elementary and secondary teachers is projected to grow 4% from 2018-2028. Employment growth for public school teachers may depend on state and local government budgets. Postsecondary teachers employed at a state four-year institution have a median salary of $81,120. Employment of postsecondary teachers overall is projected to grow 11% from 2018 to 2028. is just above $64,000 per year. However, the California Employment Development Department shows their average salary is above $88,000 per year in California. Beyond these salary benefits, the rate of job growth for PE teachers has a promising outlook with an expected 7% increase over the next 10 years as opposed to 4% expected growth for teachers in other disciplines. There is a consistent demand for qualified PE teachers, providing job stability and opportunities for career growth.

Tenure

A note on tenure: For teachers, a significant goal in the traditional academic career is to attain tenure. Tenure is often seen as a guarantee for a lifetime position. Unfortunately, though widely believed, that is not the case. Teachers enter education on probationary status and can be terminated without just cause and/or proper documentation before tenure is granted. The process for tenure can take three to four years. During this time, teachers are evaluated by administrators, mentors, and often peers on their job performance.

Professional Development

As a physical education teacher, it’s important to stay updated on the latest trends and research in the field. Attend workshops, conferences, and courses to continue your education and improve your teaching skills. Physical education teachers seeking professional development can also benefit from learning to leverage computers. The internet is ideal for physical education teachers as a tool for research, lesson planning, and presentations. Professional associations for physical education instructors offer webinars, correspondence courses, one-day seminars, symposiums, and other continuing education platforms to help teachers advance their knowledge of physical education and health industry best practices.

Additional Tips

Some individuals pursue the field of physical education because of an affection with their own schooling and physical education experience.
Some individuals discover their love of teaching movement through prior work related experiences.
It is suggested that young people interested in the field obtain work experience that involves working with children, sport, and movement activities.
With an undergraduate degree, graduates may acquire a full time position immediately or they may find that they have to take part time work until a full time position opens.
It is advantageous if a graduate is willing to accept a position in more than one district and/or state as well as with various grade levels.
Some physical educators choose to coach or officiate as well.
Soon after being hired, most states require physical educators to earn advance credits or degrees.
As hired physical educators become more experienced and educated, they may find individual advancement in the form of higher pay.
Some physical educators advance in administrative roles as either a director of physical education, adapted physical education, athletic director, or school principal.
Join professional organizations related to physical education and education, such as the Texas Association for Health, Physical Education, Recreation, and Dance (TAHPERD).
Or else consider working with education-focused recruitment agencies or staffing firms that specialize in placing teachers in schools.
Apply to multiple PE job openings to increase your chance of landing a job.
After you get selected for a PE job, the hiring institute will ask you to undergo a background check.
The school district may ask you to provide copies of certificates obtained from law enforcement agencies.

Physical Education in Texas

Becoming a PE teacher in Texas offers a rewarding career path with opportunities to make a positive impact on the lives of students and contribute to the health and wellness of the community. The Blue Star State has produced some of the most renowned athletes, marching band members, and cheerleaders in the country. Some aspiring teachers have this misconception that you don’t need a degree to be a PE teacher in Texas. But that’s not true. However, there is flexibility in the area in which you can pursue your bachelor’s degree. That being said, individuals interested in pursuing a career as a PE teacher typically major in fields related to education, kinesiology, or physical education. These majors provide coursework and training specifically tailored to teaching methods, curriculum development, exercise science, and child development. In Texas, completion of a Teacher Preparation Program (TPP) is necessary to become a certified teacher. Section 230.32 of the Texas Administrative Code specifies the criteria for the issuance of standard teaching certificates, including the completion of an approved educator preparation program. To complete the TPP, you need to enroll in the program first. Choose an educator preparation program, like one from Teacher Builder, which is approved by the Texas Education Agency (TEA) for PE teacher certification. Complete the required coursework and training as outlined by the TPP. Upon successful completion of the TPP, obtain a recommendation for teacher certification from the educator preparation program provider. To become a Physical Education (PE) teacher in Texas, individuals must obtain specific certifications as mandated by the Texas Education Agency. This certification authorizes individuals to teach PE at all grade levels, from early childhood through grade 12. This certification is a general pedagogical certification that applies to all teaching positions in Texas, including PE teaching.

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