Routes to Certification

Missouri has several methods for an individual to enter the education profession with a “certificate of license to teach.” The following routes are available:

• Traditional route: An individual completes a four-year, college-recommended course of study that starts either in a four-year institution or a two-year community college teacher education program, does student teaching, passes the designated assessment test, graduates with a bachelor’s degree in a field of education and is issued an initial certificate.
  • An alternate option is available for those who have completed a traditional route towards certification, but are unable to pass the final designated assessment test. This option includes a superintendent’s recommendation for initial certification . It was signed into law in June 2022 ( Section 168.021, RSMO ).

  The Certification Account Portal allows you to:

  Log into the Certification Account Portal

  1. Log into with your username and password (Locked out? Get help here)
  2. Choose the Educator Certification System link (located on the User Applications page.)
  3. To establish a username and password, follow the directions of the Educator Certification Help Guide
  4. If you have a certification account, but have not accessed it for over 5 years, please follow steps #1 and #2 located in the Educator Certification Help Guide.