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How to become a certified teacher in Wyoming. Bachelor's degree required. Primary exam: Praxis Subject Assessment. Government fees: $370–$420. Substitute requirements: Substitute teaching permit requires a minimum of 60 college semester hours (bachelor's degree not required for short-term substituting). Verified 2026-03-21. Data verified 2026-03-21. Source: LicenseMap (getlicensemap.com).
Teacher / Substitute Teacher · Wyoming
Everything you need to become a certified teacher or substitute teacher in Wyoming. Education, exams, fees, and application steps — verified against Wyoming Professional Teaching Standards Board (PTSB).
Last verified: 2026-03-21
Degree Required
Bachelor's degree
Primary Exam
Praxis Subject Assessment
Total Gov Fees
$370–$420
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. |
content knowledge
Passing score: Varies by subject area
Content knowledge exam specific to the endorsement area. Wyoming accepts Praxis II subject assessment scores.
Issued to new educators who complete an approved teacher preparation program and pass required Praxis exams. Valid for 5 years with the requirement to complete a mentoring program.
Issued after successful completion of the Initial License requirements, including the Wyoming Induction Program (mentoring), 3 years of teaching experience, and professional development.
Minimum Education
Substitute teaching permit requires a minimum of 60 college semester hours (bachelor's degree not required for short-term substituting)
Certificate Required
Substitute Teaching Permit
Background Check
Required
Permit Fee
$25
Validity
5 years
Wyoming requires substitute teachers to hold a state-issued Substitute Teaching Permit. The permit requires a minimum of 60 college semester hours, a background check, and a completed application. Districts may set additional requirements. Substitutes are limited in the number of consecutive days they can serve in the same classroom without a full teaching license.
| Fee | Amount |
|---|---|
| Application FeeInitial licensure application fee | $100 |
| Fingerprint FeeApproximate cost for DCI and FBI fingerprint-based background check | $50 |
| Exam Fees (Total)Praxis Subject Assessment; number of exams depends on endorsement area | $120–$170 |
| Initial CertificateIncluded in the application fee | $100 |
| Renewal Fee | $75 |
| Substitute Permit | $25 |
| Total Government FeesIncludes application, fingerprinting, exams, and initial license fee | $370–$420 |
Graduate from an approved teacher preparation program with a bachelor's degree and a minimum 2.5 GPA.
Pass the Praxis Subject Assessment for your endorsement area.
Fee: $120–$170
Submit fingerprints for DCI and FBI background checks.
Fee: $50
Submit your application through the Wyoming PTSB online portal.
Fee: $100
Upon approval, receive a 5-year Initial License and begin the Wyoming Induction Program.
Wyoming offers an alternative certification pathway for individuals with a bachelor's degree in a content area who want to teach. Candidates can obtain a Provisional License while completing required pedagogy coursework. The University of Wyoming offers alternative licensure programs. Due to Wyoming's small population and rural nature, the state has worked to expand alternative routes to address teacher shortages.
Available Programs:
CE Required
Yes
Hours per Cycle
5
Renewal Cycle
5 years
Wyoming requires 5 semester hours of professional development credit per 5-year renewal cycle. Credits can be earned through university coursework, approved workshops, conferences, or other professional development activities. Wyoming uses a credit-based system rather than clock hours.
Reciprocity Type
Case-by-case review
Interstate Agreement
NASDTEC Interstate Agreement
Wyoming evaluates out-of-state applicants individually. Educators with a valid out-of-state license may receive a Wyoming license if they meet comparable requirements, including Praxis scores.
Additional requirements: May need to pass Praxis Subject Assessments if not previously completed. Must complete the Wyoming Induction Program if in the first years of teaching.
Unique to Wyoming: Wyoming's Professional Teaching Standards Board (PTSB) operates independently from the Wyoming Department of Education, which is unusual among states. The state does not require a basic skills test, relying instead on the preparation program for basic skills verification. Wyoming's rural character means many districts face significant teacher shortages, and the state has been expanding alternative certification options to address this. The substitute teaching permit requires only 60 college semester hours rather than a bachelor's degree, reflecting the state's need for flexibility in staffing rural schools.
Explore requirements for other professional licenses in Wyoming.
How this state compares to 50 others for this profession
Timeline
#1 of 51
Salary
#26 of 51
Cost
#16 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
$57,720
25th percentile
Median
$61,560
-1% vs. national avg ($62,340)Experienced
$64,940
75th percentile
Wage Distribution (Annual)
2,760 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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Wyoming 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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