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How to become a certified teacher in Delaware. Bachelor's degree from a regionally accredited institution, or 30 credit hours in a subject field for alternative routes required. Primary exam: Praxis Core Academic Skills for Educators. Government fees: $465–$605. Substitute requirements: Bachelor's degree. Verified 2026-03-21. Data verified 2026-03-21. Source: LicenseMap (getlicensemap.com).
Teacher / Substitute Teacher · Delaware
Everything you need to become a certified teacher or substitute teacher in Delaware. Education, exams, fees, and application steps — verified against Delaware Department of Education (DDOE) - Educator Credentialing.
Last verified: 2026-03-21
Most information on this page has been verified.
92% of data points are verified against official sources. 2 fields based on preliminary research. We recommend confirming details with your state's licensing authority. See sources below · Report incorrect data
Degree Required
Bachelor's degree from a regionally accredited institution, or 30 credit hours in a subject field for alternative routes
Primary Exam
Praxis Core Academic Skills for Educators
Total Gov Fees
$465–$605
Initial Cert
4 years
| Minimum Education | Bachelor's degree |
| Degree Required | Bachelor's degree from a regionally accredited institution, or 30 credit hours in a subject field for alternative routes |
| Teacher Prep Program | Required |
| Student Teaching | Required |
| Background Check | Required |
| Fingerprinting | Required |
| Minimum Age | 18 |
| Citizenship | U.S. citizen or authorized to work in the U.S. |
basic skills
Passing score: Reading: 156, Writing: 162, Math: 150
Tests basic reading, writing, and mathematics skills. May qualify for exemption with competitive SAT, ACT, or GRE scores meeting DDOE-approved thresholds.
content knowledge
Passing score: Varies by subject area
Subject-specific content knowledge test required for the certification area sought.
Issued to new teachers or those with more than one but fewer than four years of teaching experience. Valid for 4 years and cannot be renewed; must be upgraded to a Continuing License.
Issued to teachers with four or more years of teaching experience who meet renewal requirements. Valid for 5 years and renewable with 90 clock hours of professional development.
Available for teachers who hold National Board for Professional Teaching Standards (NBPTS) certification.
Minimum Education
Bachelor's degree
Certificate Required
Substitute Certificate
Background Check
Required
Permit Fee
$100
Validity
3 years
Delaware requires substitute teachers to hold a substitute certificate from the DDOE. A bachelor's degree and background check are typically required. Districts may have additional requirements.
| Fee | Amount |
|---|---|
| Application FeeOne-time non-refundable fee; reimbursable upon employment in a Delaware public or charter school | $100 |
| Fingerprint FeeCriminal background check fee (approximate) | $65 |
| Exam Fees (Total)Praxis Core ($90 x 3 subtests) plus Praxis Subject Assessment(s) | $300–$440 |
| Initial CertificateIncluded in application fee | $100 |
| Renewal FeeContinuing License renewal fee every 5 years | $50 |
| Substitute PermitSubstitute certificate fee | $100 |
| Total Government FeesIncludes application, fingerprinting, and exam fees | $465–$605 |
Graduate from a state-approved teacher preparation program with at least a bachelor's degree.
Take and pass the Praxis Core Academic Skills and Praxis Subject Assessment for your certification area.
Fee: $300–$440
May qualify for Praxis Core exemption with qualifying SAT, ACT, or GRE scores.
Submit fingerprints for state and FBI background checks.
Fee: $65
Apply through the Delaware Educator Data System (DEEDS) online portal.
Fee: $100
Application fee is reimbursable upon employment in a Delaware public or charter school.
Once all requirements are verified, the Initial License is issued for 4 years.
Must advance to Continuing License within the validity period.
Delaware offers alternative routes to certification for individuals with a bachelor's degree and at least 30 credit hours in their subject field. The ARTC program allows candidates to teach while completing certification requirements.
Available Programs:
CE Required
Yes
Hours per Cycle
90
Renewal Cycle
5 years
Delaware requires 90 clock hours of professional development for Continuing License renewal every 5 years, with at least 45 hours directly related to the teacher's job assignment.
Reciprocity Type
NASDTEC Interstate Agreement
Interstate Agreement
NASDTEC Interstate Agreement
Delaware participates in the NASDTEC Interstate Agreement. Out-of-state teachers with valid certificates may be eligible for Delaware licensure.
Additional requirements: Out-of-state applicants must pass Delaware-required Praxis exams, complete a background check, and submit official transcripts and out-of-state credentials.
Unique to Delaware: Delaware uniquely reimburses the $100 certification application fee upon employment in a Delaware public or charter school, effectively making initial certification free for those who secure a teaching position. The Initial License has a 4-year validity with no renewal option, requiring upgrade to Continuing License.
Explore requirements for other professional licenses in Delaware.
How this state compares to 50 others for this profession
Timeline
#1 of 51
Salary
#13 of 51
Cost
#35 of 51
Processing
#1 of 51
Based on May 2024 Bureau of Labor Statistics OEWS data for Elementary School Teachers, Except Special Education (SOC 25-2021)
Entry Level
$58,270
25th percentile
Median
$66,390
+6% vs. national avg ($62,340)Experienced
$78,980
75th percentile
Wage Distribution (Annual)
2,540 employed in this state
Note: BLS category covers elementary school teachers only. Secondary, special education, and other teaching specializations have separate SOC codes with different wage data.
Source: BLS OEWS – Elementary School Teachers, Except Special Education (May 2024)
National employment projections for 2024-2034
Projected Growth
0%
Below AverageNew Jobs
-500
over 10 years
Annual Openings
103,200
per year (avg.)
1.4M currently employed nationwide (2024)
Source: BLS Employment Projections 2024-2034 (September 2025)
Government fees and exam costs to obtain your initial license
Note: These are government licensing fees only. Education/training program costs (tuition, books, etc.) are not included as they vary widely by institution.
Source: Delaware Department of Education - Educators Certification
Estimated total: 216–234 weeks
Timeline estimated from licensing requirements on this page.
Source: Delaware Department of Education - Educators Certification
4–12 weeks
Estimated processing time
Source: Delaware Department of Education - Educators Certification
Study guides for Praxis Core and subject-specific teacher exams.
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Delaware requires completion of a state-approved teacher preparation program to earn your teaching certificate. Explore approved programs and alternative certification routes.
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