Vermont Teacher Licensing Requirements
Becoming a teacher in a Vermont public school requires a teaching license issued by the Vermont Agency of Education (VT-AOE). The Vermont Standards Board for Professional Educators (VSBPE) issues the rules governing teaching licensure in our state.
A license has two parts:
The license itself, which makes you a professional teacher. This encompasses the competencies that all teachers must demonstrate irrespective of discipline or specialty
The endorsement(s), or areas of specialization you can teach (for example middle school science, or K-12 Art). This indicates that you have a deep understanding of one or more disciplines, plus you have expertise in the teaching methods specific to those disciplines.
You can’t have an endorsement without a license, and you can’t have a license without an endorsement.
The competencies you must demonstrate are embodied in the InTASC Core Teaching Standards. The InTASC Standards are the basis for Vermont’s Core Teaching Standards.
All licensed teachers in Vermont must have at least a bachelor’s degree with a very few exceptions.
If you have questions about VT Teacher Licensing Requirements, contact VREC’s Executive Director, John Castle.
Current pathways to teacher licensure in Vermont
Traditional Route to licensure (in-state) Complete an accredited course of study with a Vermont educator preparation program (EPP) There are currently 14 approved programs in Vermont. Some offer undergraduate degrees, some offer graduate degrees, and some offer coursework leading to licensure. These programs are authorized to recommend individuals for licensure in their approved areas of study.
Complete a course of study with an accredited out-of-state EPP. The VT-AOE recognizes recommendations from nationally accredited EPP’s. Be aware that there may be special rules applying to licenses from South Dakota and New Mexico.
Transfer a teaching license from another state. This is called reciprocity. Be aware that there may be special rules applying to licenses from South Dakota and New Mexico.
The VSBPE has an alternative licensure pathway called Peer Review. Peer Review is a path for a person with significant experience (for example teaching in private schools), to document how that experience demonstrates proficiency in the Core Teaching Standards.
An individual who is a National Board Certified Teacher is eligible for a Vermont license.
Three types of temporary licenses
Individuals cannot request or apply for these licenses.
Provisional licenses may be issued by Agency at the request of a superintendent allowing a person with significant content knowledge to teach in a single public school position for up to two years while they complete the requirements for a full professional license. Extensions are rarely given. These licenses require a bachelor’s degree with a major in the content area being taught, or passing the Praxis II exam in that content area.
Emergency licenses may be issued by Agency at the request of a superintendent allowing a person with a bachelor’s degree to staff a classroom for one academic year in the event that no other qualified or licensed candidates can be found for the position. No extensions are given.
Apprenticeship licenses are issued by a Career Technical Center upon a request from the Director. An apprenticeship license is a pathway for individuals with significant industry experience to become fully licensed Career and Technical Education (CTE) teachers upon completion of a Professional Learning Plan and an Associate’s degree. Apprenticeship licenses are good for three years.
There are also provisional endorsements issued at the request of a superintendent on behalf of licensed teachers who are needed to teach in a new content area but have not yet met the requirements for that endorsement. A rule of thumb is that it requires 18 graduate credits to achieve a new endorsement.
Licensing Fees: (payable to the Vermont Agency of Education)
Level I (Initial or Renewal) or Apprenticeship (Non-Renewable Temporary License) 3 years
$200.00
Provisional (Non-Renewable Temporary License) 2 year
$150.00
Emergency (Non-Renewable Temporary License) 1 year
$100.00
There is also a required criminal background check which costs $13.25
Dual licensure:
Some specialties, such as speech-language pathologist and school nurse require both a professional license specific to that work and a teaching license.
Student teaching
Educator Preparation Programs generally require an unpaid internship experience of at least 12 weeks. If you obtain your license via Peer Review, or in certain post-baccalaureate programs, you may be able to count work experience towards your student teaching requirement.
Testing requirements:
Vermont requires both the Praxis Core exam, and the Praxis II.
Praxis Core is a test of general academic abilities. Colloquially, it is said that it is a test of eighth grade skills. However it can be challenging for second career educators, as well as for people with disabilities. There a few endorsements that do not require Praxis Core - see Vermont Testing Requirements for Educator Licensing.
Praxis II is a test of content knowledge and methods. Not all endorsements have a Praxis II requirement – see Vermont Testing Requirements for Educator Licensing
If you transfer your license via reciprocity you may be exempt from testing. You will also be exempt from Praxis Core testing if you have achieved certain cut scores on common tests.
Cost: For a single Praxis Core Test, the fee is $90 per test (total of $270 if taken separately.) For the combined test (Math, Reading, Writing), the cost is $150. For Praxis II the fees vary according to subject. See the ETS Praxis Information Bulletin for details.