How to Become a Teacher in Vermont: Certification Steps 2026
The traditional path to a Vermont teaching license runs through a bachelor's degree, a state-approved educator preparation program, and demonstrated basic-skills competency, which Vermont lets candidates satisfy in several ways rather than through a single required test. The Vermont Agency of Education issues the license, and candidates without a traditional degree can qualify through Peer Review, Transcript Review, or reciprocity under the NASDTEC Interstate Agreement.
Vermont hires teachers through the Agency of Education, and the path runs through one of four routes: a traditional bachelor's degree and preparation program, Peer Review, Transcript Review, or reciprocity if you're already licensed elsewhere. See teacher certification explained for how this fits the pattern most states follow. Which route fits you depends on where you're starting from, not on which sounds most official.
Choose What You Want to Teach
Start with the grade band. Elementary teachers cover multiple subjects at a basic level for one class of students all day. Middle and high school teachers usually specialize in a single subject area and see several different classes. Neither is a fallback for the other. They're different jobs with different endorsements, and your license will name the one you're qualified for.
The Vermont Agency of Education publishes current data on the state's schools and districts, which is worth a look before you settle on a grade band or a district to target.
The Traditional Route: Bachelor's Degree and Approved Educator Preparation Program
Most Vermont teachers get there through a bachelor's degree plus completion of a state-approved educator preparation program (EPP). Most candidates combine the two: colleges pair the degree with the preparation coursework so you finish both at once. This is the traditional route, not the only one. Vermont also licenses teachers through Peer Review, Transcript Review, and reciprocity, and some career and technical education (CTE) endorsements carry their own degree and experience requirements rather than the standard bachelor's-plus-EPP path.
If you already hold a bachelor's degree in an unrelated field, you don't have to start over. A post-baccalaureate or alternative preparation program covers the licensure coursework without repeating your undergraduate degree, and several Vermont institutions also offer a combined master's-plus-licensure track.
What a Preparation Program Covers
An approved program mixes coursework with fieldwork. The coursework covers subject-specific teaching methods, differentiated instruction, assessment, classroom management, and instructional technology. The fieldwork is classroom observation followed by student teaching, usually several weeks under a mentor teacher who supervises your lesson planning and delivery.
Alternative Routes to Certification in Vermont
If a traditional four-year program doesn't fit your situation, Vermont has three other ways in.
Peer Review
Peer Review is Vermont's portfolio-based alternative route to licensure. Instead of completing a traditional EPP, you assemble a portfolio demonstrating the same knowledge and performance standards other candidates show through coursework, and a peer panel evaluates it alongside an interview before recommending you for licensure. A bachelor's degree is required to apply, generally with a subject-matter background matched to the endorsement you're seeking.
Transcript Review
Transcript Review lets the Agency of Education evaluate your existing coursework against a specific endorsement's requirements. It's used both for a first Vermont license and for adding an endorsement to a license you already hold.
Reciprocity Through the NASDTEC Interstate Agreement
Already licensed in another state? Vermont's membership in the NASDTEC Interstate Agreement sets the terms for how an out-of-state license can carry over, and what it takes depends on your specific credential and pathway. The Agency of Education goes further than the agreement itself requires, accepting licenses from any U.S. state, territory, or the Department of Defense Education Activity, signatory or not. Basic-skills and subject-testing requirements are handled case by case too: many out-of-state candidates satisfy Vermont's basic-skills requirement through an approved alternate measure rather than sitting for a new exam, so check your specific situation with the Agency of Education before assuming you'll need to test.
Demonstrate Basic Skills and Subject Knowledge
Vermont requires initial applicants to demonstrate basic-skills competency, but the Praxis Core Academic Skills for Educators test is only one way to do it.
Basic Skills
You can satisfy Vermont's basic-skills requirement by passing the Praxis Core, by passing a basic-skills assessment that's already approved for educator licensure in another U.S. state, by passing an approved alternate assessment, or by completing qualifying college coursework for credit with a grade of B or better. Which option fits depends on your background and your preparation program's requirements. Check with your program or the Agency of Education to confirm which route applies to you.
Subject-Area Tests
Subject testing is endorsement-specific, not universal. Where Vermont has adopted a Praxis subject assessment for your endorsement area, elementary education, a secondary content area, or special education, you'll need a passing score on it. Some endorsements don't have an adopted subject assessment at all. Confirm the applicable Praxis subject assessment, if required for your endorsement, with your preparation program or the Agency of Education.
Apply for Your Vermont Teaching License
Application Requirements
Applications for licensure go through the Vermont Licensing System for Educators (VLSE), which replaced the state's older ALiS portal in July 2025. You'll need:
- A completed application form
- The non-refundable application fee
- Official college transcripts showing your degree and completion of an approved educator preparation program if you're applying through the traditional route
- Copies of any other teaching certifications you hold, if applicable
- Documentation of your basic-skills and, where applicable, subject-assessment scores or approved alternative
- A clear fingerprint-supported background check
Contact Information
Vermont Agency of Education
219 North Main Street, Suite 402
Barre, VT 05641
Phone: (802) 479-1030
Find a Teaching Job in Vermont
Once your license comes through, you're clear to start your career as an educator in Vermont.
Teaching in a Public School
Vermont designates SchoolSpring.com as its job board for districts and candidates to connect. Teachers in eligible subject areas may also qualify for federal loan forgiveness or deferment programs.
Teacher Associations in Vermont
Once hired, teachers can join the Vermont National Education Association (VTNEA), the state's NEA-affiliated union chapter.
Teacher Retirement Benefits
Vermont teachers contribute to the Vermont State Teachers' Retirement System (VSTRS) and draw a pension at retirement. The exact monthly amount depends on years of service and salary history, so check with VSTRS directly for a personal estimate.
Teaching in a Private School
Private schools are an option outside the public system, and Vermont's private schools run a low student-to-teacher ratio of about 7:1 on average.
Teacher Shortage Areas in Vermont
The most recent published shortage-area list from the U.S. Department of Education's Office of Postsecondary Education, for the 2021-2022 school year, named these areas in Vermont:
- Health Science 7-12
- Family and Consumer Science 7-12
- Generic Special Education
- Spanish PreK-12
- Basic and Advanced Mathematics 7-12
- Health and Physical Fitness PreK-12
Number of Public and Private School Teachers in Vermont, by Grade Level
According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, here's how teacher employment in Vermont breaks down by grade level and specialty as of May 2025:
| Occupation | Number Employed |
|---|---|
| Preschool Teachers, Except Special Education | 940 |
| Kindergarten Teachers, Except Special Education | 250 |
| Elementary School Teachers, Except Special Education | 3,610 |
| Middle School Teachers, Except Special and Career/Technical Education | 1,620 |
| Secondary School Teachers, Except Special and Career/Technical Education | 2,450 |
| Special Education Teachers, Preschool | 70 |
| Special Education Teachers, Kindergarten and Elementary School | 770 |
| Special Education Teachers, Middle School | 470 |
| Special Education Teachers, Secondary School | 660 |
Continue Your Education and Professional Development
Teacher quality is one of the biggest levers on student achievement, and Vermont treats professional development as ongoing, not a box checked once at hire. Effective development is specific to a teacher's day-to-day practice, tied to student outcomes, and aligned with the school's own improvement plan. Generic seminars don't count for much.
Professional Development in Vermont
The Agency of Education organizes professional learning through Vermont's Professional Learning Network (PLN), a joint effort between the Champlain Valley Educator Development Center, the Lamoille Area Professional Development Academy, and the Southeast Vermont Learning Collaborative. It's the state's main channel for standards-based training tied to school improvement goals.
License Levels and Renewal
Vermont teachers start on a Level I Professional Educator's License, valid for three years, and can move to Level II after three years of successful teaching, a transition form from a supervising administrator, and three credits (45 hours) of professional learning in the licensure area.
Renewal requirements differ by level. Level I renewal (every three years) requires three credits (45 hours) of professional learning per endorsement, with at least one credit (15 hours) tied directly to the endorsement and the rest aligned to Vermont's Core Teaching and Leadership Standards. Level II renewal (every five years) requires six credits (90 hours) per endorsement, with at least two credits (30 hours) endorsement-specific. A master's degree can contribute toward these credits depending on the coursework, but the requirement is measured in credits and hours actually completed, not satisfied automatically by holding the degree.
Read more on renewal credit requirements directly from the Agency of Education.
Vermont Teacher Pay by Grade Band
According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, Vermont's core K-12 teaching occupations earned the following median annual wages as of May 2025:
| Occupation | Median Annual Wage | Job Growth (2024-2034) |
|---|---|---|
| Kindergarten Teachers | $63,280 | -3.3% |
| Elementary School Teachers | $63,070 | -4.1% |
| Middle School Teachers | $73,940 | -4.3% |
| Secondary School Teachers | $76,220 | -4.1% |
Employment for these roles is projected to decline slightly through 2034 - that's a statewide trend, not a Vermont-specific weak spot, and it reflects enrollment patterns more than hiring freezes. Vermont's Department of Labor still projects an average of 220 elementary, 80 middle school, and 130 secondary openings every year as current teachers retire or move on, so the job itself isn't disappearing even as the occupation shrinks slightly on paper. Preschool teaching is the exception: Vermont projects 6.9% growth for that role through 2034, the only core teaching occupation in the state moving in that direction.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do I need a degree in education to teach in Vermont?
No. If you're going the traditional route, you need a bachelor's degree and completion of an approved educator preparation program, but the degree itself doesn't have to be in education. Many candidates major in their subject area and complete the preparation coursework separately or through a combined program. Peer Review offers a path for candidates who hold a bachelor's degree but haven't completed a traditional preparation program at all.
Can I teach in Vermont if I'm licensed in another state?
Often, yes, through Vermont's participation in the NASDTEC Interstate Agreement, and the Agency of Education accepts licenses even from jurisdictions outside the agreement. What you'll need to complete depends on your specific credential and pathway, so check your situation with the Agency of Education rather than assuming a blanket process applies.
What test do I need to pass to become a teacher in Vermont?
You need to demonstrate basic-skills competency, which Vermont lets you satisfy through the Praxis Core, an equivalent assessment already approved in another state, an approved alternate assessment, or qualifying coursework with a grade of B or better. Subject testing depends on your endorsement: you'll need the applicable Praxis subject assessment if Vermont has adopted one for that endorsement area.
How long does it take to become a teacher in Vermont?
A traditional bachelor's degree plus preparation program typically takes four years. Peer Review and Transcript Review candidates who already hold a degree can move faster, since they're completing licensure requirements rather than a full undergraduate program.
Does Vermont have a teacher shortage?
The most recently published federal shortage-area list, covering the 2021-2022 school year, named special education, math, health science, and a handful of other subject areas in Vermont. Special education and secondary math openings in particular tend to be easier to land than elementary generalist roles.
- Four routes, one license. Traditional preparation, Peer Review, Transcript Review, and NASDTEC reciprocity all lead to the same Vermont educator license: pick the one that matches where you're starting from.
- Basic-skills competency has more than one path. The Praxis Core is one option, not the only one - an approved alternate assessment, an equivalent test already accepted by another state, or qualifying coursework with a B or better can also satisfy it.
- Subject testing depends on your endorsement. You'll need the applicable Praxis subject assessment only where Vermont has adopted one for that endorsement area.
- Pay varies by grade band. Vermont's median wages run from about $63,000 for elementary and kindergarten teachers to over $76,000 for secondary teachers, per BLS data.
- Core teaching roles are shrinking slightly, not disappearing. Vermont projects modest declines in elementary, middle, and secondary teaching employment through 2034, but hundreds of openings still occur every year from retirements and turnover.
2025 US Bureau of Labor Statistics salary figures for Preschool Teachers, Kindergarten and Elementary School Teachers, Middle School Teachers, High School Teachers, and Special Education Teachers. Job growth projections (2024-2034) are from the US Department of Labor-sponsored resource, Projections Central. Figures reflect state and national data, not school-specific information. Conditions in your area may vary. Data accessed August 2026.
Vermont's certification routes are flexible, but choosing a preparation program that lines up with your timeline and endorsement goals still matters. The sponsored programs on this page include options for candidates starting a first degree and for those adding licensure to a degree they already hold.