Nevada Educator License Lookup: Requirements and Guide

The Nevada Department of Education (NDE) oversees the licensure of educators in the state, ensuring qualified individuals are in classrooms and support roles. This article provides a comprehensive guide to understanding Nevada educator license requirements, including initial licensure, renewal, reciprocity, and alternative pathways.

Licensure Types and Requirements

Nevada utilizes a tiered licensure system, recognizing different levels of experience and education. The main license types are:

Provisional License (3-year): Issued to prospective educators who have some deficiencies in coursework or testing but are otherwise qualified for Nevada licensure. Provisional Licenses are not renewable.
Standard License (5-year): Granted to new teachers who have met all requirements for licensure.
Professional License (6-10-year): Awarded to teachers with a master’s or higher degree or National Board Certification from the National Board for Professional Teaching Standards (NBPTS).

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Retiree License (10-year): An educator who has retired with at least 15 years of service in Nevada public, charter, or private schools may be issued a retiree license.

Traditional Path to Licensure

The traditional path to teacher certification in Nevada involves several key steps:

Earn a bachelor’s degree that includes an approved teacher preparation program. Prospective Nevada teachers must complete a bachelor’s degree from an accredited institution. The major you pursue will depend on the grade level and subject you wish to teach. You must also complete an approved teacher preparation program as part of your bachelor’s degree.
Complete a student teaching placement. As part of your program, you will also complete a supervised student teaching placement, sometimes called an internship. This is typically a full-time, semester-long placement during which you will have opportunities to lead a classroom while paired with an experienced teacher. Nevada requires at least eight semester credits of supervised student teaching. To meet the requirements for state certification, the student teaching placement should be at the grade level and in the subject you wish to teach.
Pass the required Nevada teacher exams. Initial teacher candidates in Nevada must complete the state’s competency testing requirements. Competency testing is completed through the Praxis Series administered by Educational Testing Service (ETS). All candidates must take the Praxis Core Academic Skills for Educators. They must also take the Principles of Learning and Teaching (PLT) exam and the Praxis Subject Assessment corresponding to the grade levels and endorsement areas sought.

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Apply for Nevada teacher certification. Candidates who meet the above requirements qualify for a Standard License. They should include:
- Self-Disclosure
- Official transcripts issued by a regionally accredited college or university and bearing the college or university seal. Electronic transcripts are acceptable if sent directly to the Department of Education from the issuing institution or a recognized clearinghouse such as eScript.
- Copies of Government-issued picture ID
- Fingerprints for criminal background check
- Test scores
- Payment of non-refundable application fee
Candidates can apply by creating an Online Processing for Application for Licensure (OPAL) account.
Upgrade your license, if desired. Educators with at least three years of full-time teaching experience who have earned a master’s degree or higher or National Board Certification from the NBPTS can upgrade to a Professional License. They can apply through their OPAL account.

Criminal Background Check

A criminal background check is a requirement of all applicants for Nevada Department of Education licensure pursuant to NRS 391.033. In all cases, you will also have to background for your employer. Please note that your employer and the NDE do not share your information and you will (in most cases) be required to do two separate background checks.

Reciprocity of Licensure

If you are applying for a license with Nevada and currently hold valid, non-conditional, non-provisional licensure from another jurisdiction within the US or US territory, you may be eligible for reciprocal licensure. Reciprocal licensing, in most cases, will waive testing requirements for Nevada and allow NDE staff to do the evaluation based on a license for license basis. Licenses and endorsements will be reciprocated to the closest available license and endorsement available per Nevada regulations. When applying for reciprocal licensure, original transcripts are still required as well as a valid copy of any/all current licenses applicants hold.

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Alternative Routes to Licensure

Those who have a bachelor’s degree or higher degree but have not completed a teacher preparation program may be eligible for alternative teacher certification in Nevada.

Adding Subjects or Grades to a Certificate

To add a new field of endorsement, you must take the required coursework in the subject area sought and competency testing if required. In most cases, reciprocal licensure will waive the testing requirements.

Renewal Requirements

Teachers in Nevada can renew their Standard or Professional License up to nine months before the expiration date of their current license through the OPAL licensure system. Teachers must have at least 15 hours of professional development each calendar year.

Teachers must register for an online profile through OPAL and submit:

Original transcripts
Valid copy of all current licenses
Self-Disclosure
Test scores within the last five years
Copies of Government-issued picture ID
Fingerprints for criminal background check
Test scores
Payment of non-refundable application fee

Other Licenses Offered by NDE

In addition to teaching licenses, the NDE also offers licenses for support professionals and administrators. Some of these include:

School Administrator License: Requires a master’s degree or higher, five years of teaching experience, and at least 36 semester hours of specific graduate courses in the administration of a school.
School Nurse License: Requires a bachelor’s degree in nursing and the completion of an educational program that grants postgraduate certificates in school nursing from an accredited school .
Speech and Language Pathologist License: Requires the completion of an approved speech and language teaching preparation program, a certificate of clinical competence in speech, or a bachelor’s degree in speech and language impairments with specific coursework.

The NDE also offers special licenses for library media specialists and reading specialists as well as licensed personnel such as school counselors, school psychologists, and school social workers.

Nevada Teacher Outlook, Salary, and Jobs

Job prospects for teachers are stronger in Nevada than the projected national averages.

Type	Number Employed in NV	Average Annual Openings in NV	NV Proj. Job Growth 2022-2032	Average Annual Salary in NV	25th Percentile Wages in NV	75th Percentile Wages in NV
Preschool Teachers	2,450	320	8.5%	$37,730	$28,860	$37,860
Preschool Teachers, Special Education	-	-	-	$62,060	$48,730	$60,130
Kindergarten Teachers	1,050	130	6%	$62,520	$52,890	$79,390
Elementary School Teachers	9,030	820	5.6%	$62,720	$52,850	$77,240
Kindergarten and Elementary School Teachers, Special Education	490	90	4.6%	$66,350	$50,190	$81,590
Middle School Teachers	3,090	340	5.6%	$71,170	$52,660	$79,930
Middle School Teachers, Special Education	270	-	-	$51,900	$40,830	$63,510
Secondary School Teachers	7,990	410	6.1%	$67,570	$52,720	$79,960
Secondary School Teachers, Special Education	270	-	-	$67,530	$51,510	$82,720
Secondary School Teachers, Career/Technical Education	130	10	5.3%	$63,930	$52,880	$78,470

*The estimated job growth average is based on projections for mainstream kindergarten, elementary, middle, and high school teachers. Projections for other categories, such as special education and career and technical education, may be higher or lower than the average.

Teacher Shortages

According to the US Department of Education Teacher Shortage Area report for 2022-2023, Nevada broadly has the following shortages:

Art and Music Education: Art, Pre-K-12
Computer Science, Pre-K-12
Core Subjects: Combined Classroom, K-6
Core Subjects: Elementary Education, K-6
Early Childhood: General Curriculum/Early Childhood, Pre-K
Health and Physical Fitness: Physical Education, Pre-K-12
Language Arts: English, Pre-K-12
Mathematics, 6-12
Science: General Science, Pre-K-12
Special Education: Autism Spectrum Disorder
Special Education: General Curriculum, Pre-K-12
Special Education: Hearing Impairment, Pre-K-12
Special Education: Life Skills, Pre-K-12
Support Staff: Nurse, Pre-K-12
Support Staff: Psychologist, Pre-K-12

Nevada School District Requirements

If you want to learn how to become a teacher in Las Vegas, you should read more on our Las Vegas city page. Here you will find the step-by-step process for becoming a teacher in Las Vegas, a list of area private and charter schools, and Las Vegas school district contact information.

Additional Resources

NDE Educator Licensure page: Find out how to become an educator in the state, new Praxis Core passing scores, and new regulatory changes that affect teacher certification.
NDE Licensure Checklist: The complete checklist for applicants applying for teacher licensure in Nevada.
Nevada State Education Association (NESA): Member association for Nevada educators that offers professional development opportunities, legal assistance, news, and more.

Frequently Asked Questions

Question: What are the requirements to become a high school teacher in Nevada?

Answer: To become a high school teacher in Nevada, you must have a Secondary or High School License from the NDE. The requirements for the license include holding a bachelor’s degree and completing a teacher preparation program in secondary education. Candidates must also meet the requirements for at least one major field of endorsement, which includes specific coursework in the subject. Candidates must also pass the required exams and a criminal background check.

Question: How do I become a substitute teacher in Nevada?

Answer: Nevada offers substitute teachers with a minimum of 60 college credits or an associate degree a Substitute Teaching License. It also offers an Emergency Substitute Teaching License for school districts that qualify and present a written request, which requires a minimum of a high school diploma or GED.

Question: How many private schools and private school teachers are there in Nevada?

Answer: According to the latest statistics available, as of the 2019-20 school year, there were 130 private schools in Nevada, with 1,776 full-time teachers and 20,626 students. Nevada law requires private schools to be licensed. All teachers at licensed private schools must hold a teacher’s license with at least a bachelor’s degree and three years of verified full-time or supervised experience at their grade level or a master’s degree and one year of verified full-time or supervised experience at their grade level. Check with private schools in your area to confirm requirements.

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