How to Become an Elementary School Teacher

Becoming an elementary school teacher takes four years of college, hands-on classroom training and a state teaching license. That is the path for most graduates. The specifics — which degree to earn, what exams to pass and how long the licensing process takes — depend on where you plan to teach.

This guide covers the full process from start to first classroom, using Campbellsville University’s online BS in Elementary Education P-5 program as a real-world example of what that path looks like today. Whether you are just beginning college, considering a program or already hold a degree in a different field, here is what the path to teaching elementary school looks like.

What Does an Elementary School Teacher Do?

Elementary school teachers instruct students in grades K-5 or P-5, delivering lessons across core subjects including reading, writing, mathematics, science and social studies. Most teachers work with the same group of students throughout the school day, which means building strong relationships and adapting instruction to meet each student’s individual needs.

Daily responsibilities extend beyond subject teaching. Elementary teachers assess student progress, manage classroom behavior, communicate with parents and guardians, collaborate with school staff and prepare lessons outside of class time. Supporting children’s social and emotional development is also a central part of the role — elementary teachers help students learn how to work with others, manage their feelings and navigate the structure of school life.

The Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) reports about 103,800 job openings for kindergarten and elementary school teachers each year through 2034. Most of those openings come from teachers retiring or leaving the profession, which makes demand steady and consistent regardless of economic conditions.

What Are the Requirements to Become an Elementary School Teacher?

The core requirements to become an elementary school teacher are a bachelor’s degree and a state teaching license. Most states also require a criminal background check and a supervised student teaching experience completed as part of your degree program.

Bachelor’s degree: All 50 states require public school elementary teachers to hold at least a bachelor’s degree. Most states require that degree to be in elementary education or a closely related field. A few states allow a degree in another subject area if you complete additional education coursework alongside your subject content.

Teacher preparation program: Your degree should include an approved teacher preparation program — a structured curriculum covering child development, instructional methods, classroom management, literacy and curriculum design. Programs must be approved by your state’s department of education for your degree to count toward licensure.

Student teaching: Student teaching is a supervised classroom internship built into most elementary education programs. It is typically completed during your final semester or year and involves being placed in a real K-5 or P-5 classroom under the supervision of a licensed mentor teacher. Most states require 8 to 16 weeks of this hands-on experience. It is mandatory in every state.

State licensure exams: Most states require candidates to pass content knowledge and professional practice exams before receiving a teaching license. The Praxis series of tests, developed by ETS, is used in more than 40 states. Some states administer their own exams in addition to or instead of Praxis assessments.

Background check: All states require a criminal background check before issuing a teaching license. This is standard for all public school employment and is typically processed as part of your licensure application.

How Many Years of College Does It Take to Become an Elementary School Teacher?

Most students complete the path to becoming an elementary school teacher in four years. A bachelor’s degree in elementary education is a four-year program that includes both coursework and the required student teaching experience built into the final year.

After completing the degree, expect an additional two to three months to process your state licensure application, pass required exams and receive your teaching certificate. The full timeline from starting college to holding your first teaching license is typically four to four-and-a-half years for full-time students who complete all requirements without interruption.

If you already hold a bachelor’s degree in a different field, you can pursue teaching through a post-baccalaureate certification program or an alternative route. Most of these options take one to two years to complete, depending on the state and program.

Steps to Becoming an Elementary School Teacher

Here are the standard steps to becoming an elementary school teacher in most states. Following them in order can help you move efficiently from enrollment to your first classroom.

1. Earn a bachelor’s degree in elementary education

Enroll in an accredited bachelor’s degree program that includes an approved teacher preparation component. Your coursework will cover child development, literacy instruction, mathematics methods, classroom management, curriculum design and educational psychology. Confirm that your program is approved by your state’s department of education before enrolling — this determines whether your degree qualifies you for licensure in your target state.

2. Complete your student teaching requirement

Student teaching is built into most elementary education programs as a required capstone experience. During your final year, you will be placed in a K-5 or P-5 classroom under the supervision of a licensed cooperating teacher. This experience lets you apply coursework knowledge in a live classroom setting, manage real instructional situations and meet the hands-on training requirement that every state mandates for licensure.

3. Pass required state certification exams

Before applying for your license, you must pass the exams required by your state. Praxis exams are the standard in most states. Kentucky, for example, requires the Praxis Elementary Education: Multiple Subjects assessment as part of the P-5 licensure process. Review your state’s specific exam requirements early in your program to allow enough preparation time before graduation.

4. Apply for your state teaching license

After completing your degree and passing required exams, submit your licensure application to your state’s education authority along with transcripts, exam scores, proof of student teaching and background check results. Processing times vary by state. Building in 60 to 90 days between graduation and your intended start date is advisable.

5. Build your career and consider additional credentials

Once licensed, you are qualified to apply for elementary school positions. After gaining classroom experience, many teachers pursue a master’s degree for a permanent salary increase — most district salary schedules include a pay column bump for graduate education. National Board Certification through the National Board for Professional Teaching Standards is another path to higher pay and professional recognition, and more than half of all states offer financial incentives for board-certified teachers.

The timeline from enrollment to your first classroom typically runs four to five years, depending on your state and whether you pursue additional credentials along the way. Staying organized through each step now sets the foundation for a long, stable career in elementary education.

How to Get Your State Teaching License

A state teaching license — sometimes called a teaching certificate — is the legal credential required to teach in public elementary schools. Every state issues its own license and sets its own requirements, but the standard framework is the same: complete an approved degree program, pass state exams, clear a background check and submit your application.

Teaching licenses are not permanent. Most states require renewal every three to five years, with continuing professional development as a condition of renewal. The specific hours and types of development required vary by state.

If you are licensed in one state and move to another, many states have teacher certification reciprocity agreements that allow you to transfer your license without repeating the full application process. The depth of reciprocity varies, so it is important to verify your destination state’s requirements before accepting a position.

In Kentucky, the Education Professional Standards Board (EPSB) oversees all teacher licensing. The P-5 teaching license qualifies teachers to instruct students from preschool through fifth grade — the full grade band covered by Campbellsville University’s BS in Elementary Education P-5.

Can I Earn My Elementary Education Degree Online?  

Yes. You can earn a bachelor’s degree in elementary education fully online. Campbellsville University’s online BS in Elementary Education P-5 program covers the same curriculum as its on-campus programs — child development, instructional methods, literacy, assessment design and classroom management — delivered in a flexible format built around your schedule.

One component cannot be completed online: student teaching. Every state requires hands-on, supervised classroom experience in an actual school. Online programs coordinate this placement locally, so you complete your student teaching in a school near your home.

Online programs are a practical option if you are working, have family responsibilities or live far from a university campus. The BS in Elementary Education P-5 at Campbellsville University is a fully online program that meets Kentucky state teacher licensure requirements and is designed specifically for working adults who need a flexible, accredited path to their P-5 license.

How to Become an Elementary School Teacher With a Bachelor’s Degree

If you already hold a bachelor’s degree in a field other than education, you can still pursue a career in elementary teaching. Two primary paths exist, depending on your state.

Post-baccalaureate certification program

Many accredited universities offer certification programs designed specifically for people who already have a bachelor’s degree. These programs provide the required education coursework, supervised student teaching and preparation for state licensing exams — without requiring you to earn a second full four-year degree. Most post-baccalaureate certification programs take one to two years and are available online.

Alternative certification route

Some states offer alternative pathways for career changers. These programs allow you to begin teaching in a provisional or emergency-certified role while completing remaining certification requirements on the job. Eligibility, structure and available grade levels vary significantly by state, and not all states offer this route for elementary grades. If your goal is to teach in Kentucky, Campbellsville University’s online BS in Elementary Education P-5 program serves students from a range of educational backgrounds who need an accredited, fully online path to their P-5 teaching license.

Whichever path you choose, confirming your state’s specific requirements early can save months of delay once you’re ready to apply for licensure. Both routes lead to the same outcome: a fully licensed teacher qualified to lead a K-5 or P-5 classroom.

How Much Do Elementary School Teachers Make?

The Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) reports a median annual wage of $62,340 for elementary school teachers as of May 2024. Entry-level teachers start closer to $46,440 per year and see steady increases with experience and additional credentials.

The National Education Association (NEA) reports that the average public school teacher salary reached $74,495 for the 2024-25 school year, reflecting consistent upward movement in teacher compensation nationally. This average sits above the BLS median because it factors in veteran teachers and higher-paying states alongside starting salaries.

Pay varies significantly by state. California ($103,552), New York ($98,655) and Washington ($96,589) offer the highest average salaries for public school teachers. In Kentucky, the average teacher salary is approximately $58,325 — a figure that stretches further than it appears given the state’s cost of living well below the national average.

Beyond base pay, public school teachers receive a benefits package that adds real value. Health, dental and vision insurance, defined benefit pension plans, paid leave and job security after the probationary period are standard in most public school systems. Teachers employed at public schools who carry federal student loans may also qualify for Public Service Loan Forgiveness after 10 years of qualifying payments under the federal program.

Earning a master’s degree or National Board Certification adds meaningfully to long-term pay. Most school district salary schedules include a permanent bump for graduate education, and board-certified teachers in states with incentive programs earn additional stipends on top of their base salary.

Earn Your Elementary Education Degree Online at Campbellsville University

Campbellsville University’s online BS in Elementary Education P-5 program is built for working adults ready to enter the classroom. The program meets Kentucky state teacher licensure requirements and prepares you to teach grades preschool through 5 with the skills, field experience and credentials required for licensure.

Coursework is delivered fully online with support from experienced education faculty and flexibility to fit around work and family commitments.

Take the first step toward your teaching career. Explore the online BS in Elementary Education P-5 at Campbellsville University — an online program built for working adults.

About Campbellsville University’s online BS in Elementary Education P-5 program

Campbellsville University’s online BS in Elementary Education P-5 program prepares aspiring teachers to earn their Kentucky P-5 teaching license without relocating or pausing their careers. The program pairs flexible online coursework with a locally coordinated student teaching placement, and its College of Education equips future teachers with the classroom skills, field experience and credentials needed to begin their career.

Campbellsville University is a private Christian university in Campbellsville, Kentucky, with more than 100 years of academic excellence. The university offers undergraduate and graduate programs on campus and fully online, serving students from all backgrounds and experience levels, and it is regionally accredited by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges (SACSCOC). Online programs are designed to fit around work, family and other commitments without sacrificing academic quality, and Campbellsville’s mission is built on Christian values and a dedication to personal and academic growth for every student.