Become a Teacher in North Dakota

Important Note: Education licensure requirements, statistics and other information are subject to change. CertificationMap.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 updated: 08/11/2018

This page is sponsored by our partner Rossier Online, a master level teaching degree program delivered online that enables you to earn a Master’s degree and teaching credential. Learn more about how the University of Southern California can help you become a transformative teacher in North Dakota.

To become a certified teacher in North Dakota, you will need to fulfill these requirements:

• Step One: Complete a bachelor's degree and other prerequisite coursework required.
• Step Two: Complete a state-approved teacher preparation program
• Step Three: Pass required exams.
• Step Four: Submit a North Dakota teaching credential application.

Our goal is to make this process as easy as possible, and we are dedicated to updating CertificationMap.com with new information on a regular basis.

Step One: North Dakota Prerequisite Coursework

All states require that certified teachers at a minimum have a bachelor’s degree. Additionally, some states have undergraduate credit hour requirements for certification in specialty areas. Here are North Dakota’s undergraduate prerequisites for some of the most popular specialty areas:

• Elementary Education: 34 semester hours or 50 quarter hours of professional education coursework.
• Secondary English/Language Arts: 26 semester or 40 quarter hours of professional education coursework.
• Secondary Mathematics: 26 semester or 40 quarter hours of professional education coursework.
• Secondary History/Social Science: 26 semester or 40 quarter hours of professional education coursework.
• Secondary Science: 26 semester or 40 quarter hours of professional education coursework.

Return to top

Master’s Requirements

Many schools of education now offer online MAT programs that provide increased flexibility by allowing aspiring or working teachers to attend class and complete coursework from any location that has an Internet connection. Online MAT programs are a practical option for students who have professional and personal commitments that make it difficult to obtain teaching certification through a full-time program.

The best online programs offer the same curriculum as the school’s on-campus program and apply the same admission requirements. Providing students with the ability to communicate with instructors and classmates in a face-to-face online environment is another hallmark of a good online program. In addition, candidates in online MAT programs should be provided with the opportunity to complete student teaching fieldwork in the local community.

Click to learn more about getting your MAT online with our partner USC Rossier School of Education.

Step Two: North Dakota Teacher Preparation

Teacher preparation includes the completion of an accredited teacher education program.

Typically, teacher education programs consist of a combination of curricula and fieldwork. The curricula often include 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.

While the involvement in an education program may seem financially daunting, a number of financial resources specifically for teachers exist around the country. For more information on this, visit our page on scholarships for teachers. For more teacher scholarships specific to the State of North Dakota, visit our North Dakota Teacher Scholarships page.

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 a one-year Alternate Access License provided that their degree is a content area where a vacancy exists and they plan to complete a teaching degree program over the next three years. See NDESPB’s Types of License page for more information.

Return to top

Step Three: North Dakota Required Tests

In order to obtain your North Dakota state teacher certification, all applicants must complete and pass the appropriate Praxis exams required for initial licensure. All applicants must pass the Praxis Core Academic Skills for Educators (CORE) test, the Praxis Principles of Learning and Teaching (PLT) test in their grade level, and any Praxis Subject Assessments  required for their certification area(s).

Praxis CORE

PLT Assessment 

Praxis II® Subject Assessment

Secondary Education Certification

Special Education Certification 

Return to top

Step Four: North Dakota Application Requirements

The North Dakota Education Standards and Practices Board (NDESPB) requires the following to obtain an initial North Dakota teaching license:

• Bachelor’s degree (or higher) from a state-approved teacher program
• Minimum GPA of 2.5
• At least 10 hours of full-time, supervised student teaching in desired certificate area
• Recommendation from recent supervisors
• Payment of application fees:
• $30 to request initial application
• $70 fee must accompany all in-state and out-of-state licensure applications
• $175 for transcript review for out-of-state graduates
• Fingerprint screening ($44.50)
• Passing test scores on the Praxis Core Academic Skills for Educators subtests and required Subject Assessments

Return to top

North Dakota Certification Reciprocity

North Dakota has limited reciprocity with other states, and in some cases will issue an Interim Reciprocal Licensure contingent on the recipient submitting a plan for completing all remaining North Dakota requirements. Contact the North Dakota Education Standards and Practices Board to inquire about your specific situation. Please see our interstate reciprocity disclaimer for more information.

Return to top

North Dakota Teacher Salary

• Incentives to teach in high-needs schools or shortage subject areas: The North Dakota University System provides loan repayment support for teachers who work in shortage subject areas as identified by the Department of Instruction.
• Policies in place that articulate elements of effective induction: The North Dakota Education Standards and Practices Board has limited induction policies in place, including a first-year Teaching Support System.
• Average Elementary Teacher Salary: $51,090, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics
• Average Secondary Teacher Salary: $51,400, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics
• Average Number of Vacation Weeks Per Year: 15

Teacher salaries were provided by the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics’ May 2017 Occupational Employment Statistics report.

Return to top

North Dakota Certification Resources & Links

• North Dakota Education Standards and Practices Board

2718 Gateway Avenue, Suite 204
Bismarck, North Dakota 58503
701-328-9641

• North Dakota Teacher Tenure
• Troops to Teachers North Dakota: In North Dakota, Troops to Teachers is managed by the Lewis and Clark Region Office
• Teachers Test Prep: Free online Praxis Study Guides and Praxis Practice Tests, and a variety of preparation options to meet your individual needs, including prep classes, private tutoring, and online prep.