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Louisiana Teacher Licensure

Learn more about alternative teacher certification, and teacher licensure in the state of Louisana!

You are encouraged to work towards completing your renewal or higher certificate status requirements one to two years prior to your certificate's expiration date to prevent employment risk. If you are employed by National Heritage Academies, your certificate must be renewed or initially applied for electronically by your employing district. The information below will assist you with all things related to credentialing. If you have any questions, please contact credentials@nhaschools.com. 

Alternative Teacher Certification

Louisiana Department of Education offers alternative routes to certification or endorsements. Alternative certification routes are often shorter and more cost effective for educators who are changing careers or who have already obtained their bachelor's degree outside of education.

A practitioner license (PL) is a license issued to educators enrolled in an alternative certification program. This certificate allows an individual to work as the primary teacher while completing hours to obtain their Professional Certificate.

You can determine the best pathway to become certified by viewing the Information for Prospective Teachers webpage.

A list of Louisiana approved teacher preparation programs and providers can be found on the Teach Louisiana website.

Requirements for Licensure

To qualify for General Admission, each candidate must:
  • Hold a bachelor's degree from a regionally accredited college or university. 
    • Graduate with a minimum of a 2.5 GPA; OR
    • On or after December 21, 2019, candidates with a GPA below 2.5 can successfully complete an interview with the program’s admissions officer to be admitted into a program.
  • Earned passing scores on Praxis core academics skills for educators (Praxis I). Candidates possessing one of the following will be exempt from Praxis I:
    • A graduate degree and active enrollment in a Louisiana state-approved teacher preparation program; OR
    • An ACT composite score of 22; OR
    • An SAT combined verbal/critical reading and math score of 1100.
  • Pass the appropriate content specific Praxis examination.

Click here to view the requirements for a Practitioner License (PL).

    How to Apply

    You can apply for your alternative certification and practitioner's license through your certification program.

    Louisiana Teacher Licensure Resources

    Use the links below to locate information regarding Louisiana certifications, licenses, and permits.

    Alternative Routes to Teacher Certification or Endorsement

    Certificate Costs

    Information for Teachers (FAQ)

    Louisiana Department of Education

    Praxis ETS Testing Information

    Reciprocity for Out-of-State Applicants

    Renewing Your Certification