Loading...
Loading...
How to become a certified teacher in Mississippi. Bachelor's degree required. Primary exam: Praxis Core Academic Skills for Educators. Government fees: $376–$546. Substitute requirements: Associate's degree or 48 semester hours of college credit. Verified 2026-03-21. Data verified 2026-03-21. Source: LicenseMap (getlicensemap.com).
Teacher / Substitute Teacher · Mississippi
Everything you need to become a certified teacher or substitute teacher in Mississippi. Education, exams, fees, and application steps — verified against Mississippi Department of Education (MDE) - Office of Educator Licensure.
Last verified: 2026-03-21
Degree Required
Bachelor's degree
Primary Exam
Praxis Core Academic Skills for Educators
Total Gov Fees
$376–$546
Initial Cert
5 years
| Minimum Education | Bachelor's degree |
| Degree Required | Bachelor's degree |
| Teacher Prep Program | Required |
| Student Teaching | Required |
| Background Check | Required |
| Fingerprinting | Required |
| GPA Requirement | 2.5 |
| 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
Three subtests: Reading, Writing, and Mathematics. All three must be passed. ACT composite of 21+ may be accepted as an alternative.
content knowledge
Passing score: Varies by subject
Subject-specific Praxis test required for each endorsement area. Passing scores set by Mississippi.
Issued to teachers who have completed an approved teacher preparation program with a bachelor's degree, passed all required Praxis exams, and met all licensure requirements. Valid for 5 years.
Issued to teachers who hold a master's degree in their certification area. Valid for 5 years and renewable.
Issued to teachers with a Specialist degree (Ed.S.). Valid for 5 years.
Issued to teachers with a doctoral degree (Ed.D. or Ph.D.). Valid for 5 years.
Minimum Education
Associate's degree or 48 semester hours of college credit
Certificate Required
Substitute Teaching Permit
Background Check
Required
Permit Fee
$25
Validity
1 year
Mississippi requires substitute teachers to hold a substitute teaching permit from MDE. Day-to-day substitutes must have at least an associate's degree or 48 semester hours. Long-term substitutes (more than 30 consecutive days) must hold a valid teaching license. Background check and fingerprinting are required.
| Fee | Amount |
|---|---|
| Application FeeStandard license application fee | $25 |
| Fingerprint FeeMississippi Department of Public Safety and FBI fingerprint check | $56 |
| Exam Fees (Total)Praxis Core ($90 per subtest x 3 = $270) plus Praxis Subject ($120–$170) | $270–$440 |
| Initial CertificateIncluded in application fee | $25 |
| Renewal FeePer 5-year renewal | $25 |
| Substitute PermitSubstitute teaching permit fee | $25 |
| Total Government FeesIncludes application, fingerprinting, and exam fees. Does not include teacher preparation program tuition. | $376–$546 |
Graduate from a state-approved teacher preparation program with at least a bachelor's degree.
Program must include student teaching
Pass Praxis Core (Reading, Writing, Math) and the Praxis Subject Assessment for your teaching field.
Fee: $270–$440
Register at ets.org/praxis
Submit fingerprints for state and FBI criminal background checks.
Fee: $56
Required for all license applicants
Submit application through the Educator Licensure Management System (ELMS).
Fee: $25
Upload transcripts, test scores, and program verification
Upon approval, receive your Class A Standard License valid for 5 years.
Mississippi offers the Mississippi Alternate Path to Quality Teachers (MAPQT) program for career changers with a bachelor's degree and a 2.5 GPA. Candidates must pass Praxis exams and complete an intensive training program before beginning teaching. The Mississippi Teacher Corps at the University of Mississippi is another popular alternative route.
Available Programs:
CE Required
Yes
Hours per Cycle
10
Renewal Cycle
5 years
Mississippi requires 10 CEUs (Continuing Education Units) or equivalent (e.g., college credit hours) per 5-year renewal cycle. Teachers may fulfill requirements through professional development, graduate coursework, or National Board Certification. Some districts may have additional requirements.
Reciprocity Type
Case-by-case review with NASDTEC participation
Interstate Agreement
NASDTEC Interstate Agreement
Mississippi participates in the NASDTEC Interstate Agreement. Out-of-state licensed teachers may be eligible for a Mississippi license if they hold a valid license in good standing and meet Mississippi requirements. Praxis exams may be required if not previously passed with Mississippi-qualifying scores.
Additional requirements: Must pass Praxis exams with Mississippi-qualifying scores if not previously passed; background check required
Unique to Mississippi: Mississippi's license classification system (A, AA, AAA, AAAA) is unique and directly tied to the educator's highest degree level, providing automatic upgrades as teachers earn higher degrees. The state also has some of the lowest licensure fees in the country.
Explore requirements for other professional licenses in Mississippi.
How this state compares to 50 others for this profession
Timeline
#1 of 51
Salary
#49 of 51
Cost
#20 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
$48,440
-22% vs. national avg ($62,340)Experienced
$57,790
75th percentile
Wage Distribution (Annual)
11,680 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: Mississippi Department of Education - Office of Educator Licensure
Estimated total: 216–234 weeks
Timeline estimated from licensing requirements on this page.
Source: Mississippi Department of Education - Office of Educator Licensure
4–12 weeks
Estimated processing time
Source: Mississippi Department of Education - Office of Educator Licensure
Study guides for Praxis Core and subject-specific teacher exams.
Browse Study Guides on Amazon →As an Amazon Associate, we earn from qualifying purchases.
Mississippi requires completion of a state-approved teacher preparation program to earn your teaching certificate. Explore approved programs and alternative certification routes.
We may earn a commission if you enroll through links on our site. This does not affect our recommendations or the price you pay.