Initial Utah Teaching Certification:

The initial Utah teaching certification is also referred to as the basic level 1 teacher certification.

This license is valid for 4 years and may not be renewed if you have taught for 3 years or more. If you wish to continue teaching, you will have to meet all requirements for a level 2 certification and gain recommendation from your employing Utah School District.

Click this link to explore alternative options for certification in Utah.

The following are steps and requirements to be taken and met in order to obtain your Initial Utah Teaching Certificate
  • Utah Level 1 Teaching Certification

  • The Level 1 Teaching Certification is the credential issued to applicants who have not taught before and have completed an Utah teacher certification program.

    • Step 1:
      Request information from accredited institutions regarding Bachelor's, Master's and PhD programs. Teacher Preparation Programs.


    • Step 2:
      You must successfully complete the Pre-Professional Skills Test and Principals of Learning and Teaching exams offered by the Educational Testing Service.

    • Step 3:
      You will need to provide a fee of $119 by check or money order made payable to the "Utah State Office of Education"

    • Step 4:
      Have your Teacher Preparation Institution provide a recommendation stating you have fulfilled all requirements during your teacher preparation to be qualified for Initial Utah Teacher Certification.

    • Step 5:
      At some point, preferrably prior to the completion of your teacher preparation, you will need to complete the background check and fingerprinting process. The fee for processing the Fingerprints is $69 and must be by check or money order made payable to the "Utah State Office of Education"

    • Have materials sent to this address:
      Utah State Office of Education
      250 East 500 South
      P.O. Box 144200
      Salt Lake City, UT 84114-4200

      Or contact the Utah State Office of Education by phone at (801) 538-7740

    • Step 6:
      Sit Back and Relax!
  • Utah Alternative Teaching Certification

  • The alternative certification option in Utah allows the teacher candidate to enter the classroom prior to the completion of a teacher education program.

    The programs are designed to help those aspiring teachers who have at least a bachelor's degree, but for some reason feel the need to enter the classroom as a paid teacher as soon as possible.

    The following are the requirements for earning your Utah certification through an alternate route:
    • Step 1:
      You will need to have a minimum of a baccalaureate degree.
      • Your degree must be from a field of study that corresponds to the area you are going to be teaching and earning your certification.

    • Step 2:
      You must provide Original Transcripts to the Utah State Office of Education.

    • Step 3:
      You will need to download and complete the "Intent to Participate Form" This link also shares similar information to what is on this web page.

    • Step 4:
      You will need to provide a fee in the amount of $50 by check or money order made payable to the "Utah State Office of Education"

    • Send to this address:
      Alternative Routes to Licensure
      Utah State Office of Education
      250 East 500 South
      P.O. Box 144200
      Salt Lake City, UT 84114-4200

      Or contact the Utah State Office of Education by phone at (801) 538-7740

    • Step 5:
      Sit Back and Relax!

Learn about the requirements of another state by clicking on one of the state certification links to your left.

Request information from schools by clicking on the links or school logos below.




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