Kansas Teaching Certification
Kansas requires teachers to complete a bachelor’s degree, an approved teacher preparation program, and pass Praxis exams before earning an Initial Teaching License from the Kansas State Department of Education. The license is valid for two years, after which teachers can advance to a Professional License by completing one year of teaching plus a KSDE-approved mentoring program.
Sponsored School(s)
Every path to a Kansas teaching license runs through the Kansas State Department of Education, whether you’re finishing your first teacher preparation program or transferring a license from another state. Find the situation below that matches where you are, then jump to the section covering your next steps.
- Initial Teaching Certification…
- I’m a teacher from another state…
- Teacher Certification Renewal…
- Admin./Principal Certification…
- Alternative Teaching Certification…
- Substitute Teaching Permit…
Initial Kansas Teaching Certification
The Kansas State Department of Education recently announced that a total of 72 public schools in the state received the Governor’s Achievement Award. This distinction was awarded to schools that achieved Standard of Excellence recognition in reading and mathematics in 2011, in addition to making Adequate Yearly Progress (AYP), and qualifying within the top five percent of schools in reading and mathematics based on 2011 state assessments. Forty-three elementary schools, 11 middle or junior high schools, and 18 high schools in Kansas received this award. Find schools offering teaching certification programs in Kansas.
Education Requirements
Under rules set by the Kansas State Department of Education (785-296-3201), if you wish to become a licensed teacher in Kansas, you must complete an approved teacher preparation program in Kansas. These teacher preparation programs are typically part of bachelor’s degree programs, but if you already hold a bachelor’s degree, graduate degree programs are also available. Additionally, you must meet a recency requirement of having completed at least 8 credited hours (or one year of teaching experience) within the last six years.
If you attend a teacher preparation program in another state, your credits will be accepted by the Kansas State Board of Education if the teacher licensing/certification agency in that state accepts them.
If your teacher preparation program took place in another country, you must obtain a credential evaluation report from one of the credential evaluation agencies shown here. A course-by-course evaluation of your credits is necessary for the Kansas State Department of Education to determine which, if any, requirements you still need to fulfill to become a licensed teacher in Kansas.
Licensing/Licensure Options
The Kansas State Department of Education issues three types of Standard Teaching Licenses:
- Initial Teaching License – this license, valid for two years, is the license most commonly applied for by recent graduates of Kansas teacher preparation programs
- Professional Teaching License – valid for five years and issued after you complete at least one year of teaching in your endorsed area on an Initial License, plus a KSDE-approved mentoring program through your school district, verified by your administrator on Form 21
- Accomplished Teaching License – available only if you hold a Professional Teaching License and have achieved National Board for Professional Teaching Standards (NBPTS) certification. It stays valid as long as your National Board Certification remains active: five years for certificates issued after 2017, ten years for certificates issued before then.
A complete listing of all endorsement areas in Kansas in which you may become licensed can be found here.
Examinations
Go to the Praxis website for a complete overview of examination requirements for Kansas teachers.
Basic skills testing:
Before becoming enrolled in a Kansas teacher preparation program, you will likely need to take the Praxis Core basic skills examination. In addition, all candidates for initial teacher licensure in Kansas must take one of the four Praxis Principles of Learning and Teaching exams.
Content area assessment testing:
The Kansas State Department of Education requires you to pass the Praxis II exam(s) corresponding to the content area(s) in which you plan to teach. Content/endorsement areas available include:
- Early Childhood Unified
- Elementary
- Middle School:
- English Language Arts Grades 5-8
- History Comprehensive Grades 5-8
- Mathematics Grades 5-8
- Science Grades 5-8
- Secondary School:
- Agriculture
- Biology
- Business Education
- Chemistry
- Earth and Space Science
- English Language Arts Grades 6-12
- Family and Consumer Science
- History and Government Grades 6-12
- Journalism (no test required)
- Mathematics Grades 6-12
- Physics
- Psychology
- Speech/Theatre
- Technology Education
- Communication Technology
- Power, Energy, Transportation Technology
- Production Technology
- All Grades:
- Art (Pre K-12)
- French
- German
- Health
- Latin
- Music: General
- Music: Instrumental
- Music: Vocal
- Physical Education
- Spanish
- Special Education:
- Adaptive Special Education
- Functional Special Education
- Gifted
- Teachers of Deaf or Hard of Hearing Students
- Teachers of Students with Visual Impairments
- English for Speakers of Other Languages
Experience Requirements
As a student enrolled in a Kansas teacher preparation program or in an out-of-state teacher preparation program at any accredited college or university, you must complete a student teaching internship following the completion of your coursework and in addition to the practicum component of your teacher preparation program.
The length of this field experience will vary depending upon the policies of your teacher preparation program. During this time, you will be placed in a classroom that is grade-level and content-area-appropriate to your teaching plans after graduation. A supervising classroom teacher will act as your mentor, assessing and providing feedback on your performance. You may be asked to prepare and implement lesson plans, lead the class, and observe your teacher as he or she performs daily classroom duties.
Document and Application Requirements
Once you have successfully completed all educational requirements, fulfilled your student teaching commitment, and passed all necessary examinations, you may apply for initial teaching licensure in Kansas. The licensure officer at your Kansas college or university will assist you with the application process, which is usually done online through the Kansas Licensure Application System (KLAS). You must complete your part of the application, then submit it electronically to your college or university’s administrative office to complete. You must also pay the application fees online.
If you attended an out-of-state teacher preparation program, you will use Form 2 to apply for Kansas teaching licensure. Along with having your institution verify your completion of the program, you must attach official transcripts, any verification of employment, a copy of any out-of-state certificates or licenses you hold, test score reports (if you took them in another state), an application fee, as well as your fingerprint card and information pertaining to your background check as detailed below. You will mail all these documents to the Kansas State Department of Education, Teacher Education and Licensure, 120 SE 10th Avenue, Topeka, Kansas 66612-1182.
If you attended college in another country, use this application form to apply for teaching licensure in Kansas. Along with the information listed above, you must attach your credential evaluation report, scores from any pre-licensure assessments, and scores from English proficiency exams you may have taken. Mail this information to the address above.
Criminal History Background Check
When applying for an initial Kansas teaching license, you must submit to a criminal history background check as part of the application process. You must use the fingerprint card, which will be provided to you by your college’s licensure officer or may be ordered online via this link. Fill the card out completely, but do not sign it until you are in front of the law enforcement officer who will take your fingerprints. This may be done at your local police station or Sheriff’s office. You are responsible for paying all fees and mailing the completed card to the Kansas State Department of Education, Teacher Education and Licensure, 120 SE 10th Avenue, Topeka, Kansas 66612-1182. A teaching license will not be issued until the background check has been cleared.
Contact Information
If you want further information on approved teacher preparation programs at colleges and universities in Kansas, get in touch with the licensure contacts at one of the institutions listed here.
If you desire more information on the teacher licensing process in Kansas, contact the Kansas State Department of Education at 785-296-3201.
Reciprocity, Renewal, and Other Kansas Certification Paths
Not every Kansas teacher starts with an Initial Teaching License from scratch. Teachers already licensed in another state can apply for licensure through reciprocity rather than repeating a full preparation program, provided their existing credentials meet Kansas requirements. Current Kansas teachers renewing a license, career changers pursuing alternative certification, and candidates seeking a substitute or administrative credential each follow a distinct process with its own timeline and paperwork. Use the list above to jump to the path that matches your situation.
Kansas Teacher Salaries and Job Outlook
According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, Kansas teachers earned the following median annual salaries as of May 2025:
| Occupation | Kansas Employment | Median Annual Wage |
|---|---|---|
| Kindergarten Teachers | 1,300 | $56,670 |
| Elementary School Teachers | 14,350 | $56,450 |
| Middle School Teachers | 6,230 | $60,580 |
| High School Teachers | 10,860 | $59,920 |
Kansas isn’t broken out separately in national job-growth projections, but nationally, the BLS projects a slight decline in these occupations between 2024 and 2034, driven largely by enrollment trends. Even with a declining national outlook, tens of thousands of average annual openings are still projected each year from retirements and turnover, so hiring need varies district by district rather than tracking the national percentage directly. For a closer look at retirement plans, health benefits, and take-home pay, see Kansas Teaching Salaries and Benefits.
Frequently Asked Questions
What degree do I need to become a certified teacher in Kansas?
You need at least a bachelor’s degree from an accredited institution, along with completion of a Kansas-approved teacher preparation program. If you already hold a bachelor’s degree in a non-education field, graduate-level teacher preparation programs are available as an alternative route.
How do I apply for an Initial Teaching License in Kansas?
You apply online through the Kansas Licensure Application System (KLAS) after completing your teacher preparation program, passing the required Praxis exams, and finishing your student teaching internship. Your college or university’s licensure officer submits their portion of the application alongside yours.
Does Kansas offer alternative certification for career changers?
Yes. Kansas offers alternative teaching certification paths for candidates who already hold a bachelor’s degree in a field other than education, letting them begin teaching under a provisional credential while completing required coursework and exams.
How long does a Kansas Initial Teaching License last?
An Initial Teaching License is valid for two years. After completing one year of teaching in your endorsed area and a KSDE-approved mentoring program through your school district, you can apply for a five-year Professional Teaching License using Form 21.
Do I need a background check for a Kansas teaching license?
Yes. Every applicant for an initial Kansas teaching license must submit fingerprints for a criminal history background check. The license won’t be issued until the background check clears.
- Bachelor’s degree and approved program required — Kansas requires a bachelor’s degree plus a state-approved teacher preparation program before you can apply for an Initial Teaching License.
- Praxis exams are non-negotiable — you’ll need a Praxis Core or equivalent basic skills score, a Principles of Learning and Teaching exam, and a Praxis II content exam matching your endorsement area.
- Licenses tier upward over time — Initial (2 years) leads to Professional (5 years) after one year of teaching plus a mentoring program, and Accomplished stays active as long as your National Board Certification does (5 or 10 years, depending on issue date).
Select your state below to find accredited teacher certification programs, application links, and licensing requirements for your jurisdiction.
May 2025 US Bureau of Labor Statistics OEWS wage estimates and 2024-2034 employment projections for Kindergarten and Elementary School Teachers, Middle School Teachers, and High School Teachers reflect state and national data, not school-specific outcomes. State or district job-growth projections are sourced separately from national BLS outlook data. Conditions vary by school sector, subject area, and district. Data accessed July 2026.
