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How to become a certified teacher in Missouri. Bachelor's degree required. Primary exam: Missouri General Education Assessment (MoGEA). Government fees: $439–$759. Substitute requirements: 60 semester credit hours of college-level coursework. Verified 2026-03-21. Data verified 2026-03-21. Source: LicenseMap (getlicensemap.com).
Teacher / Substitute Teacher · Missouri
Everything you need to become a certified teacher or substitute teacher in Missouri. Education, exams, fees, and application steps — verified against Missouri Department of Elementary and Secondary Education (DESE).
Last verified: 2026-03-21
Degree Required
Bachelor's degree
Primary Exam
Missouri General Education Assessment (MoGEA)
Total Gov Fees
$439–$759
Initial Cert
4 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: 220 on each subtest
Covers English language arts, mathematics, writing, science, and social studies. Required for entry into an approved educator preparation program.
content knowledge
Passing score: Varies by subject area
Missouri adopted ETS Praxis Subject Assessments exclusively starting July 1, 2024 for new certification areas. MoCA scores already on record remain valid.
pedagogy
Passing score: Varies
Performance-based assessment of teaching effectiveness completed during student teaching.
Issued to new teachers who have completed an approved preparation program, passed all required assessments, and met all DESE requirements. Valid for 4 years.
Issued after completing 4 years of teaching under an IPC and meeting mentoring and professional development requirements. Valid for 99 years (essentially permanent) but requires ongoing professional development.
Minimum Education
60 semester credit hours of college-level coursework
Certificate Required
Substitute Teaching Certificate
Background Check
Required
Permit Fee
$40
Validity
4 years
Missouri requires a Substitute Teaching Certificate from DESE. Requires at least 60 semester credit hours from an accredited institution. Long-term substitutes (more than 90 consecutive days in the same classroom) may need additional qualifications. Background check with fingerprinting is required.
| Fee | Amount |
|---|---|
| Application FeeStandard certification application fee | $40 |
| Fingerprint FeeMissouri State Highway Patrol and FBI fingerprint check | $44.80 |
| Exam Fees (Total)MoGEA ($59 x 5 = $295), MoCA ($59–$79), and MoPTA ($300). Some exams may have been waived or combined. | $354–$674 |
| Initial CertificateIncluded in application fee | $40 |
| Renewal FeeCCPC is essentially permanent (99 years) and does not require renewal fee | $0 |
| Substitute PermitSubstitute Teaching Certificate fee | $40 |
| Total Government FeesIncludes application, fingerprinting, and exam fees. Does not include teacher preparation program tuition. | $439–$759 |
Graduate from a DESE-approved or CAEP/NCATE-accredited teacher preparation program.
Must pass MoGEA before entry into program
Pass the MoGEA (basic skills), MoCA (content knowledge), and MoPTA (pedagogy assessment).
Fee: $354–$674
Register at mo.nesinc.com
Submit fingerprints for Missouri State Highway Patrol and FBI criminal background checks.
Fee: $44.80
Required for all certification applicants
Submit application through the DESE Educator Certification online system.
Fee: $40
Upload transcripts, test scores, and program completion verification
Upon approval, receive your IPC valid for 4 years.
Complete mentoring and professional development requirements to advance to CCPC
Missouri offers the Temporary Authorization Certificate (TAC) for career changers with a bachelor's degree. Candidates must have a 2.5 GPA, pass the MoCA for their content area, and secure employment with a Missouri school district. TAC holders must complete an approved alternative preparation program within the certification period.
Available Programs:
CE Required
Yes
Hours per Cycle
15
Renewal Cycle
1 years
Missouri requires 15 Professional Development Credit Hours (PDCHs) annually for CCPC holders. Teachers must maintain a Professional Development Plan aligned with building and district goals. Activities include workshops, coursework, mentoring, and action research.
Reciprocity Type
Case-by-case review with NASDTEC participation
Interstate Agreement
NASDTEC Interstate Agreement
Missouri participates in the NASDTEC Interstate Agreement. Out-of-state licensed teachers may be eligible for Missouri certification. Teachers with a valid certificate from another state and at least 4 years of experience may qualify for a CCPC. Others may receive an IPC and must meet Missouri-specific requirements.
Additional requirements: Must meet Missouri content assessment requirements; background check required
Unique to Missouri: Missouri's CCPC is unique in that it is valid for 99 years, essentially making it a lifetime certificate. However, holders must still complete annual professional development. Missouri also requires 5 basic skills subtests through the MoGEA, which is more extensive than most states' basic skills requirements.
Explore requirements for other professional licenses in Missouri.
How this state compares to 50 others for this profession
Timeline
#1 of 51
Salary
#50 of 51
Cost
#33 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
$45,660
25th percentile
Median
$48,250
-23% vs. national avg ($62,340)Experienced
$60,330
75th percentile
Wage Distribution (Annual)
40,380 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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Missouri 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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