Teacher Certifications (Which Ones Are Worth It)
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Unlike many fields, teaching is a licensed profession, so the word certification can mean two very different things. The credential you actually need to be hired into a public school is a state-issued teaching license, and each state sets its own rules, tests, and renewal cycle. The other certifications on this page are genuine national credentials that make you more competitive, qualify you for more roles, or unlock a pay bump, but none of them replaces your state license.
This guide ranks the certifications that real teachers and districts recognize, separates the legally required license from the optional ones, and explains who each credential is for. It also covers how to list them on a resume so an applicant tracking system and a hiring principal can both see, at a glance, that you are qualified for the posting.
Top certifications for a Teacher
State Teaching License (Initial or Standard Certificate)
State Department of Education (varies by state) · Entry
Best for: Anyone teaching in a United States public school
This is the legal requirement to teach; it is a state license, not a national certification, and districts verify it before anything else.
National Board Certification
National Board for Professional Teaching Standards (NBPTS) · Advanced
Best for: Experienced licensed teachers seeking recognition and often a pay increase
The most respected advanced teaching credential in the United States and frequently tied to salary stipends.
Praxis Subject and Core Assessments
Educational Testing Service (ETS) · Entry
Best for: Aspiring teachers in states that require Praxis for licensure
Passing the required Praxis tests is a prerequisite for state certification in many states.
TEFL Certification (Teaching English as a Foreign Language)
Accredited TEFL providers (independent training organizations) · Entry
Best for: Teachers who want to teach English abroad or online
The standard entry credential employers abroad look for; choose an accredited 120-hour program.
TESOL Certificate (Teaching English to Speakers of Other Languages)
TESOL International Association and accredited providers · Intermediate
Best for: Teachers working with multilingual or English learner students
Widely recognized for teaching English learners in United States and international classrooms.
Google Certified Educator Level 1 and Level 2
Google for Education · Entry
Best for: Teachers using Google Workspace and Chromebooks in the classroom
A concrete way to show classroom technology skills that many districts value.
Microsoft Certified Educator (MCE)
Microsoft · Entry
Best for: Teachers integrating Microsoft tools and digital pedagogy
Validates technology-enabled teaching skills recognized internationally.
Wilson Reading System Certification
Wilson Language Training · Advanced
Best for: Reading specialists and special education teachers of struggling readers
A respected structured-literacy credential valued for dyslexia and intervention roles.
Orton-Gillingham Practitioner Credential
Academy of Orton-Gillingham Practitioners and Educators (AOGPE) · Intermediate
Best for: Teachers delivering multisensory structured literacy instruction
Sought after for reading intervention and special education positions.
Special Education Endorsement
State Department of Education (added to your license) · Intermediate
Best for: Teachers who want to teach students with disabilities
A state-added endorsement that opens high-demand special education roles.
ESL or Bilingual Endorsement
State Department of Education (added to your license) · Intermediate
Best for: Teachers of English learners or bilingual classrooms
A high-demand endorsement that expands the positions you can be hired for.
IB Educator Certificate
International Baccalaureate Organization (IBO) · Advanced
Best for: Teachers working in International Baccalaureate schools
Required or preferred for teaching in IB programs worldwide.
How to choose the right teacher certification
Start with the one credential you cannot skip: your state teaching license. Look up your state department of education to confirm which tests (often Praxis), coursework, and background checks you need, because requirements differ from state to state. If you are changing careers or moving into a high-need subject, ask about alternative or emergency certification routes that let you teach while you finish requirements.
After you hold a license, pick advanced certifications based on the jobs you actually want. If you plan to stay in your district long term, National Board Certification carries the most prestige and often a stipend. If you want to teach English learners, add an ESL, bilingual, or TESOL credential. If reading intervention or special education interests you, a structured-literacy credential such as Wilson or Orton-Gillingham plus a special education endorsement will make you far more competitive.
How to list certifications on a teacher resume
Put your state license front and center. Create a Certifications or Licensure section near the top and list the exact license name, the issuing state, the subject and grade band it covers, and the expiration date, for example a valid Texas Standard Certificate, Secondary Mathematics, grades 7 to 12. Hiring principals and applicant tracking systems scan for this first, so do not bury it at the bottom.
List each credential with its full name and issuing organization rather than only an acronym, since the software may search for the spelled-out term. Include National Board Certification, TEFL, TESOL, or technology educator credentials with the year earned, and mirror the exact wording used in the job posting where it is accurate. Keep endorsements grouped with your license so a reader sees your full teaching scope at once.
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Frequently asked questions
Is a teaching certification the same as a teaching license?
In most states the terms are used interchangeably, but the document you need to teach in a public school is a state-issued license. It is a legal credential granted by your state department of education, not a national certification, and each state sets its own tests and renewal rules.
Do I need National Board Certification to be a teacher?
No. National Board Certification is an optional advanced credential for already-licensed teachers. It is highly respected and often comes with a pay increase, but you can teach for an entire career without it. Your state license is the only mandatory credential.
Can I start teaching before I am fully certified?
Often yes. Many states offer alternative, provisional, or emergency certification routes that let you teach, especially in high-need subjects, while you complete coursework and required tests. Check your state department of education for the specific pathway and timeline.
Which certification helps most if I want to teach English learners?
An ESL or bilingual endorsement added to your state license is the most directly useful, because it qualifies you for those positions. A TESOL certificate strengthens your skills and resume, and a TEFL certification is the standard credential if you plan to teach English abroad or online.
