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How to become a certified teacher in Louisiana. Bachelor's degree from a regionally accredited institution required. Primary exam: Praxis Core Academic Skills for Educators. Government fees: $575–$685. Substitute requirements: Bachelor's degree preferred; some parishes accept 60 college credit hours for substitute teaching. Verified 2026-03-21. Data verified 2026-03-21. Source: LicenseMap (getlicensemap.com).
Teacher / Substitute Teacher · Louisiana
Everything you need to become a certified teacher or substitute teacher in Louisiana. Education, exams, fees, and application steps — verified against Louisiana Department of Education (LDOE) - Division of Certification and Higher Education.
Last verified: 2026-03-21
Most information on this page has been verified.
88% of data points are verified against official sources. 3 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
Primary Exam
Praxis Core Academic Skills for Educators
Total Gov Fees
$575–$685
Initial Cert
3 years
| Minimum Education | Bachelor's degree |
| Degree Required | Bachelor's degree from a regionally accredited institution |
| Teacher Prep Program | Required |
| Student Teaching | Required (270 hours) |
| Background Check | Required |
| Fingerprinting | Required |
| GPA Requirement | 2.5 |
| Citizenship | U.S. citizen or authorized to work in the U.S. |
basic skills
Passing score: Reading: 156, Writing: 162, Mathematics: 150
Basic skills assessment. May be waived with qualifying ACT (22+) or SAT scores.
content knowledge
Passing score: Varies by subject area (Louisiana sets its own cut scores)
Subject-specific content knowledge exam required for each certification area.
pedagogy
Passing score: 160
Pedagogy assessment required for Louisiana certification. Grade-level versions available.
Issued to beginning teachers who have completed an approved preparation program and passed required Praxis exams but have not yet completed the required teaching experience. Valid for 3 years.
Issued after successful completion of 3 years of teaching experience and meeting all Level 2 requirements. Valid for 5 years and renewable. Most teachers operate at this level.
Highest tier for teachers who hold a master's degree or higher and have significant teaching experience. Also available through National Board Certification.
Minimum Education
Bachelor's degree preferred; some parishes accept 60 college credit hours for substitute teaching
Certificate Required
No separate certificate
Background Check
Required
Validity
Per parish/school year
Louisiana does not require a state-issued substitute teaching certificate. Substitute teacher requirements are determined by individual parish (county) school boards. Most parishes require a minimum of a bachelor's degree or at least 60 college credit hours. All substitutes must pass a criminal background check. Individuals with a valid Louisiana teaching certificate may substitute without additional requirements.
| Fee | Amount |
|---|---|
| Application FeeCertificate application fee | $55 |
| Fingerprint FeeLouisiana State Police and FBI fingerprint processing | $44 |
| Exam Fees (Total)Includes Praxis Core ($270 for 3 subtests), Praxis Subject Assessment ($60–$170), and PLT ($146). Varies by subject area. | $476–$586 |
| Initial Certificate | $55 |
| Renewal FeeCertificate renewal fee | $55 |
| Total Government FeesIncludes application, fingerprinting, and exam fees. Actual total depends on specific exams required. | $575–$685 |
Graduate from a Louisiana-approved or state-approved teacher preparation program.
Pass the Praxis Core, Praxis Subject Assessment, and Praxis PLT for your certification area and grade level.
Fee: $476–$586
Submit fingerprints for Louisiana State Police and FBI criminal background checks.
Fee: $44
Submit the certification application through the LDOE's TeachLA Live! online portal with official transcripts, test scores, and institutional recommendation.
Fee: $55
Upon approval, receive the Level 1 (Temporary) Certificate. Complete 3 years of teaching to advance to Level 2.
Louisiana offers several alternative certification pathways. The Practitioner Teacher Program allows individuals with a bachelor's degree (2.5 GPA) and content knowledge (Praxis content exam passed) to teach while completing an alternative preparation program. Teach For America has a significant presence in Louisiana, particularly in New Orleans and Baton Rouge. TNTP also operates teacher residency programs in the state.
Available Programs:
CE Required
Yes
Hours per Cycle
150
Renewal Cycle
5 years
Louisiana requires 150 Continuing Learning Units (CLUs) for renewal of the Level 2 or Level 3 Certificate every 5 years. CLUs can be earned through college coursework, professional development, school improvement activities, and other approved activities. One graduate credit hour equals 15 CLUs.
Reciprocity Type
Case-by-case
Interstate Agreement
NASDTEC Interstate Agreement
Louisiana evaluates out-of-state certificates on a case-by-case basis. Applicants with a valid out-of-state certificate may receive a Louisiana certificate if they have at least 3 years of teaching experience or meet comparable preparation requirements.
Additional requirements: Out-of-state applicants must submit official transcripts, verification of licensure, pass required Praxis exams (if not previously passed), and complete a Louisiana background check.
Unique to Louisiana: Louisiana's education system uses parishes rather than counties as the basic unit of school governance. The state has a three-level numbered certification system (Levels 1-3) that progresses with experience and education. Louisiana's 150 CLU continuing education requirement per 5-year cycle is among the highest in the nation. Teach For America has an outsized presence in Louisiana compared to most other states, particularly in the post-Katrina New Orleans education landscape.
Explore requirements for other professional licenses in Louisiana.
How this state compares to 50 others for this profession
Timeline
#1 of 51
Salary
#43 of 51
Cost
#46 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
$49,200
25th percentile
Median
$52,280
-16% vs. national avg ($62,340)Experienced
$60,090
75th percentile
Wage Distribution (Annual)
21,350 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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Louisiana 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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