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How to become a certified teacher in Ohio. Bachelor's degree required. Primary exam: Ohio Assessments for Educators (OAE) - Assessment of Professional Knowledge (APK). Government fees: $295–$320. Substitute requirements: Bachelor's degree for a Substitute Teaching License; non-licensed substitutes with some college may be used in emergency situations. Verified 2026-03-21. Data verified 2026-03-21. Source: LicenseMap (getlicensemap.com).
Teacher / Substitute Teacher · Ohio
Everything you need to become a certified teacher or substitute teacher in Ohio. Education, exams, fees, and application steps — verified against Ohio Department of Education and Workforce - Office of Educator Licensure.
Last verified: 2026-03-21
Degree Required
Bachelor's degree
Primary Exam
Ohio Assessments for Educators (OAE) - Assessment of Professional Knowledge (APK)
Total Gov Fees
$295–$320
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. |
pedagogical knowledge
Passing score: 220
Required pedagogy exam covering educational foundations, student development, instruction, assessment, and professional development. Available for different grade bands.
content knowledge
Passing score: 220
Subject-specific content knowledge exam required for each teaching area
Issued to beginning teachers who have completed an approved teacher preparation program and passed required OAE exams. Valid for 4 years. Teachers participate in the Ohio Resident Educator Program during this period.
Issued after successful completion of the Resident Educator Program (typically 4 years) and passing the Resident Educator Summative Assessment (RESA). Valid for 5 years and renewable with continuing education.
Advanced license for teachers with a master's degree and 9+ years of experience. Valid for 5 years.
Highest tier for teachers with extensive experience and leadership roles. Valid for 5 years.
Minimum Education
Bachelor's degree for a Substitute Teaching License; non-licensed substitutes with some college may be used in emergency situations
Certificate Required
Substitute Teaching License
Background Check
Required
Permit Fee
$25
Validity
1 year (renewable annually)
Ohio requires a Substitute Teaching License issued by the Ohio Department of Education. Applicants must hold a bachelor's degree from an accredited institution and complete a BCI/FBI background check. The substitute license is valid for 1 year and must be renewed annually. Long-term substitutes (beyond 120 days) typically need a regular teaching license.
| Fee | Amount |
|---|---|
| Application FeePer license application via CORE system | $25 |
| Fingerprint FeeBCI and FBI fingerprint background check (WebCheck) | $60 |
| Exam Fees (Total)APK ($105) + Content Area ($105); additional exams if multiple endorsements | $210 |
| Initial CertificateResident Educator License fee | $160 |
| Renewal FeeProfessional license renewal fee | $25 |
| Substitute PermitAnnual substitute teaching license fee | $25 |
| Total Government FeesApplication ($25), fingerprinting ($60), and exams ($210) | $295–$320 |
Register on Ohio's CORE (Comprehensive Online Registry for Educators) system
https://core.ode.state.oh.us/
Graduate from an approved educator preparation program with a bachelor's degree
Pass the Assessment of Professional Knowledge (APK) and Content Area exam
Fee: $210
Complete BCI and FBI fingerprint background checks through a WebCheck provider
Fee: $60
Apply for the Resident Educator License through the CORE online system
Fee: $25
Participate in the 4-year Resident Educator Program and pass the RESA to advance to Professional License
Includes mentoring, professional development, and formative assessments
Ohio offers an Alternative Resident Educator License for career changers who hold a bachelor's degree with a strong content background. Candidates must be admitted to an approved alternative educator preparation program and may begin teaching while completing the program. The state also offers a conditional STEM license to attract professionals in science, technology, engineering, and math fields.
Available Programs:
CE Required
Yes
Hours per Cycle
18
Renewal Cycle
5 years
Ohio requires 18 semester hours or equivalent continuing education units (CEUs) during each 5-year renewal cycle for the Professional Educator License. At least 6 semester hours must be in the teaching area. Approved activities include graduate coursework, professional development workshops, and National Board Certification.
Reciprocity Type
Interstate agreement with review
Interstate Agreement
NASDTEC Interstate Agreement
Ohio participates in the NASDTEC Interstate Agreement. Teachers with valid out-of-state licenses and at least 2 years of successful teaching experience may qualify for an Ohio Professional Educator License. Those with less experience may receive a Resident Educator License.
Additional requirements: Must complete BCI/FBI background check; may need to pass OAE exams if comparable exams were not taken in the previous state; must complete Ohio-specific training requirements
Unique to Ohio: Ohio has one of the most structured induction programs in the country with its 4-year Resident Educator Program, which includes the Resident Educator Summative Assessment (RESA) -- a performance-based assessment that teachers must pass to advance from the Resident Educator License to the Professional Educator License.
Explore requirements for other professional licenses in Ohio.
How this state compares to 50 others for this profession
Timeline
#1 of 51
Salary
#15 of 51
Cost
#6 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
$50,060
25th percentile
Median
$65,380
+5% vs. national avg ($62,340)Experienced
$79,270
75th percentile
Wage Distribution (Annual)
50,110 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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