Below is a complete list of requirements for obtaining Initial, First-Time Educator Licensure in Wyoming. Applicants must meet ALL requirements in order to be eligible for licensure.

 

1)     Completion of an Approved Educator Preparation Program

Wyoming requires all NEW applicants; ex:  Educators, Administrators, and Related Services:

a.  to have completed an approved preparation program at a regionally or nationally accredited college or university AND

b.  the program must have included student teaching and must lead to an Institutional Recommendation for licensure.

• NOTE:  In addition to completion of a program, applicants must meet all requirements for licensure in order to be eligible for Wyoming licensure.  If you are not eligible for licensure in the state in which you graduated, you are not eligible for Wyoming licensure.

What if I have a degree in an area other than Education but would like to become a teacher in the area for which I received my B.A. or M.A.?

 

Alternative Routes to Licensure

 

What if I was/am licensed in a state other than Wyoming and completed an alternate route for licensure in my state which did not require completion of a traditional teacher preparation program? 

 

You have two options for obtaining a Wyoming Educator License

a.  Exception Authorization - 1 year, non-renewal license
b.  Alternate license - Northern Plains Transition to Teaching (NPTT) program at Montana State University, Bozeman.

 

Out-of-State Requirements

 

2)  Institutional Recommendation for Licensure

Applicants will be required to submit an Institutional Recommendation, signed by an authorized official, recommending them for licensure in the applicable endorsement area(s).

 

 More information about Institutional Recommendations

 

3)  All applicants must submit official college transcripts documenting completion of their teacher preparation program.

 

More information about transcripts

 

4)  Applicants will be required to undergo fingerprinting and complete a background check.

 

More information about fingerprinting

 

5)  Knowledge of the U.S. and Wyoming Constitutions
Wyoming State Statute requires applicants to demonstrate knowledge of the U.S. and Wyoming Constitutions either through coursework or by successfully passing an exam.

 

More information about the U.S. & Wyoming Constitution requirements

 

6)  Teacher Testing (PRAXIS Exams)
At this time, there are only two teaching areas for which Wyoming requires applicants to pass an approved (PRAXIS II) exam to obtain an initial license or an added endorsement: 

 

Elementary Education – These applicants must take the PRAXIS II exam 0011 “Elementary Education: Curriculum, Instruction, and Assessment” and receive a passing score of 160 or better. 

 

Social Studies Composite – These applicants must take the PRAXIS II exam 0081 “Social Studies: Content Knowledge” and receive a passing score of 158 or better. 

 

For information on how to register, test sites, costs, accommodations, study guides or other information about the PRAXIS II, please visit the ETS PRAXIS website.

 

Does anyone else have to take a test to get certified?  No.

 

What if I am an Elementary Education or Social Studies Composite teacher and who has not yet taken my PRAXIS II Exam?  You may be eligible for an Exception Authorization to teach.  

 

7)  Submit a Complete Application Packet and Pay the Appropriate Fee

Once you have met the above requirements, you must submit a complete application packet--including payment of all appropriate fees--to PTSB for evaluation.  The process typically takes between four to six weeks, depending on application volumes.  Our periods of highest volume, and therefore longest wait times, are late July through September.