Applicants interested in obtaining their Utah Educator License must meet the following requirements:
• Hold a bachelor’s degree (or higher) from an accredited institution
• Complete the application form and pay the $75 application fee
• Provide original official copies of all college/university transcripts
• Successfully complete a state-approved teacher preparation program
• Successfully complete all required Praxis II exams
• Verify they have applied for a background check
License Levels
The Utah State office of Education issues three levels of licenses. Each level is listed below along with their respective requirements.
Level 1
A Level 1 license is a Utah professional educator license issued upon completion of an approved preparation program, an alternative preparation program, or pursuant to an agreement under the NASDTEC Interstate Contract, to candidates who have also met all ancillary requirements established by law or rule.
Level 1 Requirements:
• Completion of a teacher preparation program
• Recommendation from an accredited institution
• Passing score on Praxis II content tests
Level 2
A Level 2 license is a Utah professional educator license issued after satisfaction of all requirements for a Level 1 license as well as any additional requirements established by law or rule relating to professional preparation or experience.
Level 2 Requirements:
• Completion of EYE requirements
• Recommendation of employing district/charter school
Level 3
A Level 3 license is a Utah professional educator license issued to an educator who holds a current Utah Level 2 license and has also received, in the educator’s field of practice, National Board Certification, a doctorate from an accredited institution or a Certificate of Clinical Competence from ASHA.
Level 3 Requirements:
• Ph.D.
• National Board Certification
• Certificate of Clinical Competence from the American Speech-Language-Hearing Association (ASHA)
Alternative Certification
Graduates of accredited colleges or universities whose bachelor’s degree was not in education, and who have not yet earned a traditional teaching certificate, can still receive an alternative teaching certificate by satisfying certain requirements. The state of Utah officially recognizes ABCTE certification as a route to earning your Utah teacher certification.
Typically teacher education programs consist of a combination of curricula and fieldwork. The curricula often includes instruction on foundational knowledge and skills, pedagogy (or the art and science of teaching), and preparing students to research, design and implement learning experiences in their field of study. The fieldwork component can include field observations, student teaching, and an internship.
Certification Testing Information
Teacher candidates or those wishing to become certified must take The Praxis Series tests. Prior to entering an educator preparation program at your college or university, you may be required to take the Praxis Core Academic Skills for Educators (Core) tests to demonstrate your qualifications. Please contact your college or university for more information regarding entrance requirements.
In Utah, licensure candidates must pass the Praxis Subject Assessments (formerly the Praxis II tests) for at least one area of certification for which they are applying. Additionally, candidates must pass the appropriate Praxis Subject Assessments for every area of certification for which they are applying in the following areas: Administrative/Supervisory, Counseling, Fine Arts, Foreign Language, Language Arts, Mathematics, School Psychology, Science, Social Studies and Special Education.
Individuals holding a Level 1 Utah educator license must complete the Early Years Enhancement (EYE) in order to upgrade to a Level 2 Utah educator license. For most candidates, this includes passing at least one of the Praxis Principles of Learning and Teaching (PLT) tests. Please contact your district EYE coordinator for more information.
Contact Information
Utah State Office of Education
250 East 500 South
PO Box 144200
Salt Lake City, Utah 84114-4200
Fax: (801) 538-7973