How to Become a Teacher in Missouri

Missouri certification requirements, step by step

Each requirement below is stated as Missouri Department of Elementary and Secondary Education (DESE) — Educator Certification publishes it, with the governing source cited.

1. 1

   Complete a DESE-approved teacher education program

   Finish a four-year, college-recommended course of study including student teaching, graduate with a bachelor's degree in a field of education, and meet minimum GPA requirements (2.5 in content coursework, 3.0 in professional education coursework).

   Source: dese.mo.gov

2. 2

   Pass Missouri Praxis content assessments

   Pass the appropriate ETS Praxis content assessments for your certification area. As of July 1, 2024, Praxis replaced the Pearson Missouri Content Assessments (MoCA), which were discontinued after June 23, 2024.

   Source: dese.mo.gov

3. 3

   Receive institutional recommendation

   Obtain recommendation from the designated teacher education official at the Missouri institution where you completed your program.

   Source: dese.mo.gov

4. 4

   Apply for an Initial Professional Certificate (IPC)

   Complete the online Initial Professional application through DESE's certification system. Submit through the recommending institution, which forwards the application after completing its portion. Background clearance is required if not obtained within the past 12 months.

   Source: dese.mo.gov

5. 5

   Upgrade to Career Continuous Professional Certificate (CCPC)

   After four years of DESE-approved teaching experience, two years of district mentoring, 30 contact hours of professional development, Beginning Teacher Assistance Program completion, and annual performance evaluation participation, upgrade to a CCPC valid for 99 years.

   Source: dese.mo.gov

Missouri's July 2024 assessment transition from Pearson MoCA to ETS Praxis reshaped preparation program advising statewide. DESE required Praxis content assessments for certification as of July 1, 2024, with MoCA discontinued after June 23, 2024. Candidates mid-program during the switch needed to confirm which vendor's scores their application would accept—a transitional issue that may still affect advisors referencing legacy checklists.

The Initial Professional Certificate (IPC) is a four-year staging credential rather than a lifetime license. Upgrade to the Career Continuous Professional Certificate (CCPC)—valid 99 years—requires four years of approved teaching, two years of district mentoring, 30 contact hours of professional development, Beginning Teacher Assistance Program completion, and participation in annual performance-based teacher evaluation. That multi-component upgrade replaces a simple renewal fee model.

GPA floors are explicit and field-separated. DESE requires minimum 2.5 GPA in content area coursework and 3.0 in professional education coursework for IPC eligibility, thresholds that affect post-baccalaureate career changers returning for certification coursework. Institutional recommendation flows through the preparing college's designated official, with applications submitted online through DESE's certification portal.

Reciprocity language on DESE's become-certified-teacher page is relatively generous for out-of-state program completers holding valid professional certificates—most cases issue Missouri certification without further coursework or tests in aligned areas. Verification of the other state's certificate remains mandatory, and experience levels may determine whether initial or career certification is granted.

Required exams and fees

Missouri uses ETS Praxis content assessments (required as of July 1, 2024; Pearson MoCA discontinued June 23, 2024). Fees and cut scores appear only when published by the cited source (as of August 2026).

Moving a license to Missouri

Individuals with a valid certificate from another state may receive a comparable Missouri certificate after verification. Applicants who completed a teacher education program in another state and hold a valid professional certificate may often receive a Missouri certificate in the most closely aligned area without further coursework or tests in most cases.

Official Missouri reciprocity guidance