Endorsements

• Every Iowa teacher must be licensed to teach or substitute teach.
• The license standards/requirements: set by the Board of Educational Examiners whose members are appointed by the Governor of the State of Iowa.
• The state standards and guidelines: provide for the issuance of different licenses with endorsements in the various teaching areas.
• Endorsement: subject area and grade level at which the teaching service may be performed according to Iowa law.
• Major/minor: area of expertise and preparation.
• Endorsement legally overrides the major or minor for determining teaching assignments. (Eg. A K-12 music endorsement allows a district to place a secondary choral major in an elementary instrumental classroom in Iowa.)
• Information concerning licensure requirements/procedures may be obtained from the Iowa Board of Educational Examiners.

Initial License

Basic requirements include:

• The completion of an approved teacher education program from a regionally accredited college or university
• completion of an approved human relations program, and
• completion of the requirements for a teaching endorsement.

The INITIAL LICENSE is valid for two school years.
It may be renewed under prescribed conditions for two additional two-year terms.

Substitute License

• Holder may teach in any school system in any position in which a regularly-licensed teacher was employed at the beginning of the school year.
• Valid for five years and for not more than ninety days of teaching in any one assignment during any one school year.
• May be issued to an individual who has met the following:
  1. has been the holder of, or presently holds, a license in Iowa or some other state;
  2. has successfully completed all requirements of an approved teacher education program and is eligible for the initial license, but has not applied for and been issued this license, or
  3. who meets all requirements for the initial license with the exception of the degree but whose degree will be granted at the next regular commencement.

Standard License

Apply for the Standard License when you

• Have taught the required number of years
• Have successfully completed required evaluative and academic education requirements.

Denial of Licensure

Iowa law states that an applicant for teacher licensure shall be disqualified for any of the following reasons:

1. The applicant has been convicted of child abuse or sexual abuse of a child.
2. The applicant has been convicted of a felony.
3. The applicant's application is fraudulent.
4. The applicant's license or certification from another state is suspended or revoked.

For further clarification of this law, contact the Board of Educational Examiners.

Teacher Licensure in Other States

Students graduating from approved teacher education programs at the University of Northern Iowa meet the full requirements for teacher licensure only in the State of Iowa.

In many cases, even if requirements for full licensure have not been met, you can obtain a temporary license.

If you intend to teach in a state other than Iowa, you should obtain information concerning licensure requirements in that state as early as possible.

More information: Board of Educational Examiners. Include a list of the areas for which you are seeking licensure/endorsement and a request for application blanks and instructions. Contact the Advising and Career Center for assistance.