Oklahoma Teaching Requirements for American Board for Certification of Teacher Excellence (ABCTE) Teachers

• What is American Board for Certification of Teacher Excellence (ABCTE)?
• If I receive a teaching certificate through the American Board for Certification of Teacher Excellence (ABCTE), can I teach in Oklahoma?

What is American Board for Certification of Teacher Excellence (ABCTE)?

Founded in 2001 via a grant from the U.S. Department of Education, ABCTE addresses the need for knowledgeable and dedicated teachers in every classroom. They offer a flexible and cost-effective certification program. ABCTE certification is a program designed to inspire career changers to enter the teaching field and give them a rigorous and efficient process to achieve their goals.
 

For More Information

Please refer to the ABCTE Web site for further information.

If I receive a teaching certificate through the American Board for Certification of Teacher Excellence (ABCTE), can I teach in Oklahoma?

Yes. Currently ten states accept ABCTE certified teachers. They are Florida, Idaho, Mississippi, Missouri, New Hampshire, Oklahoma, Pennsylvania, South Carolina, Utah, Tennessee.

Certification Areas

Certification areas that are acceptable in the state of Oklahoma are: Biology, Chemistry, English Language Arts, General Science, Mathematics, Physics, United States History, and World History.  These areas cover grade levels 6-12.

Application and Submission

Once certified through the ABCTE program, to teach in Oklahoma, you would need to submit the following:

Recent certification or dual fingerprinting (background check) needed, unless you are already certified in Oklahoma. For the most up to date information refer to Fingerprints/Background Checks Information.

• Application for Oklahoma School Certificate
• Official transcripts of all college work.  Transcript must denote degree earned and the date conferred.
• Copy of certificate issued by ABCTE
• $50.00 processing fee (check, cashier’s check or money order) made payable to the Oklahoma State Department of Education.

As a result from the above you will be issued a one-year, non-renewable teaching credential for employment in Oklahoma.

Next Steps

Once employed, you must complete the mentorship program through ABCTE.  After the mentorship program has been completed, please submit the following:

• Application for Oklahoma School Certificate (pdf)
• Copy of ABCTE certificate showing mentorship program completed
• $50.00 processing fee (check, cashier’s check or money order) made payable to the Oklahoma State Department of Education
   

Result

You will be issued a five-year standard teaching certificate.

For More Information

Please refer to the ABCTE Web site for further information.

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