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How to become a certified teacher in Iowa. Bachelor's degree from a regionally accredited institution required. Primary exam: Foundations of Reading Test (FoRT). Government fees: $227-$373. Substitute requirements: Bachelor's degree (for a Substitute Teaching License); or a valid Iowa teaching license. Verified 2026-03-21. Data verified 2026-03-21. Source: LicenseMap (getlicensemap.com).
Teacher / Substitute Teacher · Iowa
Everything you need to become a certified teacher or substitute teacher in Iowa. Education, exams, fees, and application steps — verified against Iowa Board of Educational Examiners (BoEE).
Last verified: 2026-03-21
Degree Required
Bachelor's degree from a regionally accredited institution
Primary Exam
Foundations of Reading Test (FoRT)
Total Gov Fees
$227-$373
Initial Cert
2 years
| Minimum Education | Bachelor's degree |
| Degree Required | Bachelor's degree from a regionally accredited institution |
| Teacher Prep Program | Required |
| Student Teaching | Required |
| Background Check | Required |
| Fingerprinting | Required |
| GPA Requirement | 2.5 |
| Minimum Age | 21 |
| Citizenship | U.S. citizen or authorized to work in the U.S. |
Iowa does not require standardized exams for teacher certification.
Issued to beginning teachers who have completed an approved preparation program and passed required Praxis exams. Valid for 2 years. The holder must complete a mentoring and induction program during this period.
Issued after successful completion of the Initial License period, including the Iowa mentoring and induction program. Valid for 5 years and renewable.
Available for educators who hold National Board Certification. Valid for 5 years.
Minimum Education
Bachelor's degree (for a Substitute Teaching License); or a valid Iowa teaching license
Certificate Required
Substitute Teaching License or Substitute Authorization
Background Check
Required
Permit Fee
$85
Validity
5 years
Iowa requires a Substitute Teaching License or Substitute Authorization from the BoEE to serve as a substitute teacher. The standard substitute license requires a bachelor's degree. A Substitute Authorization may be available for individuals with fewer qualifications in certain circumstances. All applicants must pass a background check and complete a substitute training course provided by the hiring district.
| Fee | Amount |
|---|---|
| Application FeeLicense application fee | $85 |
| Fingerprint FeeDCI and FBI fingerprint processing | $52 |
| Exam Fees (Total)Varies by endorsement: FoRT ($90) for elementary; PLT ($146) for secondary; some candidates may need both | $90-$236 |
| Initial Certificate | $85 |
| Renewal FeeStandard license renewal | $85 |
| Substitute PermitSubstitute Teaching License fee | $85 |
| Total Government FeesIncludes application ($85), fingerprinting ($52), and applicable exam fees | $227-$373 |
Graduate from an Iowa-approved or state-approved teacher preparation program at an accredited institution.
Since 2022, Praxis content exams are no longer required for Iowa preparation program graduates. However, the FoRT is required for elementary/early childhood endorsements (since July 2024), and the PLT is required for secondary endorsements.
Fee: $90-$236
Submit fingerprints for Iowa DCI and FBI criminal background checks.
Fee: $52
Submit the Initial License application through the BoEE online portal with official transcripts, test scores, and institutional recommendation.
Fee: $85
During the 2-year Initial License period, complete Iowa's mentoring and induction program to advance to the Standard License.
The mentoring and induction program is provided by the employing school district.
Iowa offers alternative certification through the Teacher Intern License for individuals with a bachelor's degree and content expertise. The intern must be employed by a school district and complete an approved intern program within 2 years. The Iowa Alternative Licensure pathway also allows career changers to earn certification while teaching under supervision.
Available Programs:
CE Required
Yes
Hours per Cycle
6
Renewal Cycle
5 years
Iowa requires 6 semester hours of renewal credit (or equivalents) for renewal of the Standard License every 5 years. Approved renewal activities include college coursework, professional development, and other BoEE-approved activities. One renewal credit equals 15 contact hours of approved professional development.
Reciprocity Type
Case-by-case
Interstate Agreement
NASDTEC Interstate Agreement
Iowa evaluates out-of-state licenses on a case-by-case basis. Applicants with a valid license from another state may receive an Iowa license if they meet comparable requirements.
Additional requirements: Out-of-state applicants must submit official transcripts, verification of licensure from the issuing state, pass required Praxis exams if not previously completed, and complete an Iowa background check.
Unique to Iowa: Iowa is one of the few states requiring a minimum age of 21 for teacher licensure. Notably, Iowa eliminated the Praxis content exam requirement in 2022 for graduates of state-approved preparation programs, making it one of the states with the fewest testing requirements. However, the Foundations of Reading Test was added in 2024 for elementary and early childhood endorsements. The state's licensing is managed by the Board of Educational Examiners, which operates independently from the Iowa Department of Education.
Explore requirements for other professional licenses in Iowa.
How this state compares to 50 others for this profession
Timeline
#1 of 51
Salary
#41 of 51
Cost
#1 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
$46,220
25th percentile
Median
$55,540
-11% vs. national avg ($62,340)Experienced
$61,670
75th percentile
Wage Distribution (Annual)
15,890 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.
Estimated total: 216–234 weeks
Timeline estimated from licensing requirements on this page.
4–12 weeks
Estimated processing time
Study guides for Praxis Core and subject-specific teacher exams.
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Iowa 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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