Become a Teacher in Idaho

Choose the statement that best describes you to jump to applicable information.

I AM...

An Aspiring Teacher in Idaho
A Teacher Moving to Idaho
A Teacher in Idaho

Teaching in Idaho Snapshot

$48,540 Secondary School Teacher Salary
$47,630Elementary School Teacher Salary
$7,157Public School Spending Per Student

All career and salary information pulled from the Bureau of Labor Statisticspupil expenditure information was provided by Governing

IDAHO STATE DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION

Department of Education Website
650 West State Street
3rd Floor
BOISE, ID 83720
(208) 334-2270

Explore Featured Degree Options in Education

Featured Online programs
University Name Type of Program Learn More Program Description
University of Southern California Master of Arts in Teaching Learn more about USC Rossier The online Master of Arts in Teaching (MAT) from the University of Southern California Rossier School of Education prepares you to become a transformative K–12 teacher. Through live online classes and enriching field experiences in your community, you can earn your MAT in less than 18 months without relocating.
Fordham University Master of Science in Teaching Learn more from Fordham University Fordham University’s online Master of Science in Teaching program prepares aspiring teachers (grades 1-6) for initial teaching certification or dual certification in teaching and special education.
Vanderbilt University Master of Education in School Counseling Learn more about Vanderbilt Peabody Vanderbilt University's Peabody College offers an online Master of Education in human development counseling with a specialization in school counseling for students interested in becoming school counselors and making a meaningful difference in K–12 settings.

Sponsored Programs

Steps to Becoming a Teacher in Idaho

Important Note: Education licensure requirements, statistics and other information are subject to change. Teach.com makes its best effort to keep content accurate; however, the official sources are the state education departments. Please confirm licensing requirements with your state before applying for licensure or renewal. (Last update: 02/03/2019)

1

Prerequisite Coursework in Idaho

All states require at least a Bachelor’s degree to teach. Additionally, teachers in Idaho must meet the following undergraduate coursework requirements depending on desired level of teaching:

  • Elementary Education: At least 24 semester credit hours relating to the skills and subject matter of elementary education are required, with at least 6 in developmental reading and 6 in elementary student teaching.
  • Secondary Education: At least 20 semester hours in instructional technology and the professional subject matter of secondary education are required, including 3 credit hours of reading in the desired content area and 6 credit hours of secondary student teaching. Additionally, two fields of secondary teaching must be prepared, a primary field with 30 credit hours and a secondary with 20 credit hours.
  • Special Education: At least 30 semester hours in special education.
 

2

Idaho Teacher Certification Programs

Teacher Certification Programs can be taken online or on-site. They typically include an educational theory and classroom skills seminar and a fieldwork component of student teaching in the area. All Idaho educator programs must be approved by the State Board of Education and must meet with the Council for Accreditation of Educator Preparation (CAEP) standards.  More information can be found on the Idaho Board of Education Educator Preparation page.

 

3

Required Tests for Idaho

Teachers in Idaho are required to take the Praxis II: Subject Tests in their specialty area. Idaho does not require a Basic Skills test.

You can learn more about the Praxis exams by visiting Teach.coms' Ultimate Guide to the Praxis Exams and read more about teacher certification tests on Teach.com.

Initial Teaching Certifications

To earn your Idaho teaching credential you will have to complete the appropriate amount of undergraduate coursework and standardized tests, as well as an accredited certification program. Visit the Idaho Department of Education Certification page to learn more about getting your Teaching Credential in Idaho. Learn more about getting your teaching credential. 

Return to the top

Discover an 8-week Online Teaching Short Course from Harvard's Bok Center

Learn more about an 8-week short course from Harvard's Bok Center

Earn recognition of your ability to develop and deliver a memorable teaching experience when you receive a premier certificate from Harvard’s Derek Bok Center for Teaching and Learning, in association with HarvardX, upon successful course completion.

Learn more about an 8-week short course from Harvard's Bok Center

Sponsored Program

Alternative Certification in Idaho

Graduates of accredited colleges or universities who did not major in Education, and who have not yet earned a traditional teaching certificate, can still receive an alternative teaching certificate by satisfying certain requirements. Individuals following this route must take at least 9 semester credit hours annually to maintain Alternative Authorization status.

The state of Idaho officially recognizes the American Board for Certification of Teacher Excellence  (ABCTE) certification as a route to your Idaho teaching credential. Either of these routes requires a year of state-approved mentoring.

There is also an alternative route available for content specialists – experts in a specific subject – to teach in districts that have a shortage of teachers in that area. The candidate must complete 8-16 weeks of study in education pedagogy before beginning to teach; the person must attend an “individualized alternative route preparation program” at a college or university and must undergo mentoring and at least one classroom observation per month during training.

Furthermore, a computer-based alternative certification plan is available through ABCTE. All candidates following alternate routes for certification are issued a three-year Interim Certificate and must complete a state-approved reading instruction course. Veterans may also be eligible for the Lewis & Clark Region Troops to Teachers program.

Idaho Teacher Certification Information & Links

Return to the top

Transferring Your Certification

Certification Reciprocity in Idaho

Interstate reciprocity is a program that allows teachers certified in one state to teach in another state. To find out which other state teaching licenses can be used in Idaho, visit the Teach.com reciprocity page. Or, for more specific questions about your situation, contact the Idaho Department of Education.

Return to the top

Jobs, Benefits, and Opportunities for Teachers in Idaho

Idaho Teaching Jobs

The Idaho Department of Education maintains a teaching job database that allows you to search by region, subject area, grade and whether a job is full- or part-time. The site also maintains a list of high-need areas and provides information about teaching job fairs.

Learn more about finding a teaching job on Teach.com.

Idaho Teacher Salary and Incentives

According to the National Center for Education Statistics, the average teacher in Idaho makes $47,504 per year. Idaho uses a salary schedule that rewards teachers for years of service to the state as well as higher levels of education. However, there is no differential pay offered for teaching in high-need districts or subjects.

Learn more about teacher salaries on Teach.com.

Idaho Teacher Benefits and Retirement

Idaho public school teachers age 65 or older with more than 60 months of creditable teaching service are eligible for full retirement benefits courtesy of the Public Employee Retirement System of Idaho (PERSI). Benefits are calculated using highest average monthly salary and months of creditable service.

Learn more about benefits for teachers on Teach.com.

Idaho Teacher Shortage Areas

The United States Department of Education defines a Teacher Shortage Area (TSA) as a subject matter or grade level within a state in which there is an inadequate supply of elementary or secondary teachers.  The shortage may be caused by teaching positions that are unfilled or are filled by teachers who have temporary certification or teach in in academic subject other than their area of preparation.  According to a report by the USDE Office of Postsecondary Education (Pg 50), Idaho has the following Teacher Shortage Areas:

  • Agricultural Science and Technology (Grades 6–12)
  • All Subjects K–Grade 8 (Elementary)
  • American Sign Language
  • American Government/Political Science(Grades 6–12)
  • Art
  • Bilingual Education (Grades 6–12)
  • Biological Science (Grades 6–12)
  • Birth–Grade 3
  • Building Trades Construction
  • Business Technology Education (Grades 6–12)
  • Cabinet and Millwork
  • Chemistry (Grades 6–12)
  • Chinese (K–Grade 12)
  • Communication (Grades 6–12)
  • Deaf/Hard of Hearing (K–Grade 12)
  • Drafting
  • Drama (Grades 6–12)
  • Early Childhood Special Education (Pre-K–3)
  • Earth Science (Grades 6–12)
  • Economics (Grades 6–12)
  • English
  • English as a New Language (K–Grade 12)
  • Family/Consumer Sciences (Grades 6–12)
  • French (Grades 6–12)
  • General Engineering
  • Generalist–Special Education (K–Grade 12)
  • Geography (Grades 6–12)
  • German (Grades 6–12)
  • Gifted and Talented (K–Grade 12)
  • Health
  • Health Occupations
  • History (Grades 6–12)
  • Latin
  • Literacy (K–Grade 12)
  • Marketing Technology Education
  • Mathematics
  • Microcomputer Applications
  • Music
  • Orientation Health Occupations
  • Philosophy
  • Physical Education
  • Physical Science
  • Physics (Grades 6–12)
  • Psychology (Grades 6–12)
  • Social Studies (Grades 6–12)
  • Sociology (Grades 6–12)
  • Spanish
  • Sports Medicine/Athletic Trainer
  • Technology Education
  • TV Production/Broadcasting
  • Visual Impairment (K–Grade 12)

Financial Aid in Idaho

Idaho residents are eligible for the  Applegate/Jackson/Parks Future Teacher Scholarship, as well as the TEACH Grant, which gives financial aid to students in return for an agreement to teach in a high-need school.

Learn more about how to finance your Master's degree on Teach.com.

Return to the top

Career Advancement

Professional Development for Idaho Teachers

Idaho public schools follow the Danielson Framework for Teaching as a statewide research-based foundation for teacher evaluation. The framework has four key areas: planning and preparation, learning environment, instruction and use of assessment, and professional responsibilities, each of which involve different professional development programs and initiatives. Teachers must complete 6 professional development credits during each licensing period.

Benefits of a Master's Degree in Idaho

It is no longer enough to just have years of experience for teaching. After No Child Left Behind and other academic quantification measures, the careers of teachers increasingly depend on their results in the classroom. A master's degree in the field of education will give you more educational theory and classroom skills, as well as more hands-on student teaching experience with a mentor. After a Master’s program, you may be able to achieve better results in the classroom and have more job security and higher pay.

Learn more about the benefits of a Master of Arts in Teaching vs. Master of Education on Teach.com.

Return to the top

Explore Featured Program Options in Education

Featured Online programs
University Name Type of Program Program Description
University of Southern California Master of Arts in Teaching The online Master of Arts in Teaching (MAT) from the USC Rossier School of Education prepares you to become a transformative K–12 teacher. Through live online classes and enriching field experiences in your community, you can earn your MAT in less than 18 months without relocating.
Fordham University Master of Science in Teaching The online Master of Science in Teaching program prepares aspiring teachers (grades 1-6) for initial teaching certification or dual certification in teaching and special education.
Harvard University's Bok Center Advanced Certification in Teaching The 8-week Teaching and Learning Strategies for Higher Education online short course is delivered by Harvard’s Bok Center for Teaching and Learning, in association with HarvardX. Students in this course will engage deeply with the most relevant research on effective teaching methods in the higher education context, while refining their own practices, portfolio, and teaching philosophy.
Vanderbilt University Master of Education in School Counseling Vanderbilt University's Peabody College offers an online Master of Education in human development counseling with a specialization in school counseling for students interested in becoming school counselors and making a meaningful difference in K–12 settings.

Sponsored Program