Want to become a teacher in the great state of Hawaii? If so, you have come to the right place. Below you will find a short article that lists the steps to becoming a teacher in Hawaii.

Step 1: Complete an Approved Teacher Preparation Program

To teach in the U.S., educators must hold at least an undergraduate degree. The state of Hawaii also requires students to complete a state-approved teacher education program to receive certification. Hawaii does not list specific course or semester-hour requirements, but every college or university teacher education program will have requirements of its own. Contact your teacher education program or the Hawaii Teacher Standards Board for additional information. A list of accredited teacher education programs in Hawaii can be found on the HTSB website.

Step 2: Complete the Required Exams

The State of Hawaii’s Hawaii Teacher Standards Board requires that all teaching candidates complete and pass the Academic Core Skills for Educators (CORE Assessment). Passing of the PLT Exam (Principles of Teaching and Learning” is mandated for candidates who have not graduated from a State Approved Teacher Education Program (SATEP). Additional testing is mandated for specific content areas and can be found on the Praxis website.

Hawaii issues three kinds of licenses. The Provisional License, given to graduates of Hawaii State Approved Teacher Education Programs and is a 3-year nonrenewable license. The Standard License is available to approved candidates with teaching licenses or degrees from another state or with teaching experience outside Hawaii. The Advanced License is given to teachers who have completed a graduate degree or received a National Board for Professional Teaching Standards license and have taught 5 of the previous 8 years.

Step 3: Submit a Hawaii Teaching Credential Application

Have you finished your teacher education program, including student teaching, and passed the necessary assessments? If so, you may apply for an initial teaching certification in Hawaii. Please visit HTSB’s Licensing & Permits for a comprehensive guide to Hawaii’s teacher certification requirements and information on how to apply.