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How to become a certified teacher in Hawaii. Bachelor's degree or higher from a regionally accredited institution required. Primary exam: Praxis Core Academic Skills for Educators. Government fees: $330–$490. Substitute requirements: Determined by HIDOE; HTSB does not certify substitutes. Verified 2026-03-21. Data verified 2026-03-21. Source: LicenseMap (getlicensemap.com).
Teacher / Substitute Teacher · Hawaii
Everything you need to become a certified teacher or substitute teacher in Hawaii. Education, exams, fees, and application steps — verified against Hawaii Teacher Standards Board (HTSB).
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 or higher from a regionally accredited institution
Primary Exam
Praxis Core Academic Skills for Educators
Total Gov Fees
$330–$490
Initial Cert
3 years
| Minimum Education | Bachelor's degree |
| Degree Required | Bachelor's degree or higher from a regionally accredited institution |
| 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.
content knowledge
Passing score: Varies by subject area
Subject-specific content knowledge test. Passing scores must be from HTSB-approved exams completed within 5 years prior to application.
Granted to recent graduates of state-approved teacher education programs with less than 3 years of full-time teaching experience. Valid for 3 years.
Available to educators with at least 3 years of full-time teaching experience in a pre-K-12 setting within the last 5 years. Valid for 5 years and renewable.
Highest professional certification. Requires a minimum of 5 years of teaching experience within 8 years, plus advanced credentials (master's degree, National Board Certification, or Hawaii Teacher Leader designation).
Minimum Education
Determined by HIDOE; HTSB does not certify substitutes
Certificate Required
No separate certificate
Background Check
Required
Validity
Determined by HIDOE
The Hawaii Teacher Standards Board (HTSB) does not have the authority to certify or license substitute teachers. The Hawaii Department of Education (HIDOE), which operates as a single statewide district, manages substitute teacher hiring and requirements directly.
| Fee | Amount |
|---|---|
| Application FeeHTSB does not charge for teaching licenses or permits | $0 |
| Fingerprint FeeState and FBI fingerprint processing fee (approximate) | $30–$50 |
| Exam Fees (Total)Praxis Core ($90 x 3) plus Praxis Subject Assessment(s) | $300–$440 |
| Initial CertificateNo cost for teaching license through HTSB | $0 |
| Renewal FeeNo renewal fee; 2025 renewal cycle waives fees due to state funding | $0 |
| Total Government FeesPrimarily exam and fingerprint fees; no license fees from HTSB | $330–$490 |
Graduate from a state-approved teacher education program (SATEP) with at least a bachelor's degree.
Take and pass the Praxis Core Academic Skills and Praxis Subject Assessment for your licensure area. Scores must be from HTSB-approved exams completed within 5 years.
Fee: $300–$440
Scores older than 5 years may be accepted on a case-by-case basis.
Submit fingerprints for state and FBI background checks.
Fee: $30–$50
Apply through the HTSB online application system.
Fee: $0
HTSB does not charge for license applications.
Once all requirements are verified, the Provisional License is issued for 3 years.
Must advance to Standard License after gaining 3 years of teaching experience.
Hawaii offers alternative pathways for individuals with a bachelor's degree who did not complete a traditional teacher preparation program. The Emergency Hire program allows individuals to teach while completing licensure requirements.
Available Programs:
CE Required
Yes
Renewal Cycle
5 years
Hawaii requires professional development for Standard License renewal every 5 years. Specific requirements are determined by HTSB standards. Teachers must demonstrate continued professional growth through approved activities.
Reciprocity Type
NASDTEC Interstate Agreement
Interstate Agreement
NASDTEC Interstate Agreement
Hawaii participates in the NASDTEC Interstate Agreement. Out-of-state teachers with valid certificates may be eligible for Hawaii licensure.
Additional requirements: Out-of-state applicants must pass HTSB-approved Praxis exams (scores within 5 years), complete a background check, and meet Hawaii-specific requirements.
Unique to Hawaii: Hawaii is the only state with a single statewide school district (HIDOE), and the HTSB does not charge any fees for teaching licenses or permits, making it one of the most affordable states for teacher certification. HTSB also does not have authority over substitute teacher licensing, which is managed directly by HIDOE.
Explore requirements for other professional licenses in Hawaii.
How this state compares to 50 others for this profession
Timeline
#1 of 51
Salary
#31 of 51
Cost
#10 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
$49,460
25th percentile
Median
$60,420
-3% vs. national avg ($62,340)Experienced
$63,810
75th percentile
Wage Distribution (Annual)
5,270 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: Hawaii Teacher Standards Board
Estimated total: 216–234 weeks
Timeline estimated from licensing requirements on this page.
Source: Hawaii Teacher Standards Board
4–12 weeks
Estimated processing time
Source: Hawaii Teacher Standards Board
Study guides for Praxis Core and subject-specific teacher exams.
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Hawaii 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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