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Become a Teacher in Rhode Island

Certification Step-by-Step

Click to jump to section Rhode Island Prerequisite Coursework Rhode Island Teacher Preparation Rhode Island Required Tests Rhode Island Application Requirements Rhode Island Certification Reciprocity Rhode Island Teacher Salary Rhode Island Certification Resources & Links

Rhode Island Highlights

Avg. Elementary Teacher Salary: $67,990
Avg. Secondary Teacher Salary: $67,620
Vacation Weeks Per Year: 17 
Figures regarding teacher salaries are sourced from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics’ May 2017 Occupational Employment Statistics report.

 

Important Note: Education licensure requirements, statistics and other information are subject to change. CertificationMap.com makes its best effort to keep content accurate; however, the official sources are the state education departments. Please confirm licensing requirements with your state before applying for licensure or renewal. Last updated: 08/11/2018

This page is sponsored by our partner Rossier Online, a master level teaching degree program delivered online that enables you to earn a Master’s degree and teaching credential. Learn more about how the University of Southern California can help you become a transformative teacher in Rhode Island.

To become a certified teacher in Rhode Island, you will need to fulfill these requirements:

  • Step One: Complete a bachelor's degree and other prerequisite coursework required.
  • Step Two: Complete a state-approved teacher preparation program
  • Step Three: Pass required exams.
  • Step Four: Submit a Rhode Island teaching credential application.

Our goal is to make this process as easy as possible, and we are dedicated to updating CertificationMap.com with new information on a regular basis.

Step One: Rhode Island Prerequisite Coursework

Generally, states require that certified teachers hold, at a minimum, a bachelor’s degree. Additionally, some states have undergraduate credit hour requirements for certification in specialty areas; Rhode Island, however, does not have any such requirements, according to the State of Rhode Island Council on Elementary and Secondary Education.

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Master’s Requirements

Many schools of education now offer online MAT programs that provide increased flexibility by allowing aspiring or working teachers to attend class and complete coursework from any location that has an Internet connection. Online MAT programs are a practical option for students who have professional and personal commitments that make it difficult to obtain teaching certification through a full-time program.

The best online programs offer the same curriculum as the school’s on-campus program and apply the same admission requirements. Providing students with the ability to communicate with instructors and classmates in a face-to-face online environment is another hallmark of a good online program. In addition, candidates in online MAT programs should be provided with the opportunity to complete student teaching fieldwork in the local community.

Learn more about getting your MAT online with our partner USC Rossier School of Education.

Step Two: Rhode Island Teacher Preparation

Typically, teacher education programs consist of a combination of curricula and fieldwork. Coursework often includes instruction on foundational knowledge, skills, and pedagogy (the art and science of teaching), as well as preparation in researching, designing and implementing learning experiences in particular fields of study. The fieldwork component can include field observations, student teaching, and internships.

While the involvement in an education program may seem financially daunting, a number of financial resources exist specifically for teachers. For more information, visit the Certification Map page on scholarships for teachers. For scholarships specific to teachers in Rhode Island, visit the Certification Map Rhode Island Teacher Scholarships page.

Alternative Certification

Graduates of accredited colleges or universities whose bachelor’s degree was not in education, and who have not yet earned a traditional teaching certificate, can still receive an alternative teaching certificate by satisfying certain requirements. Learn more about Rhode Island Alternative Certification on Certification Map.

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Step Three: Rhode Island Required Tests

Applicants pursuing Rhode Island teacher certification must successfully complete tests administered by the American Council on the Teaching of Foreign Languages, Pearson, and ETS – specifically, from its Praxis Series. A full list of the tests necessary for each certification area can be found on the department's website. Below are the various qualifying scores for certification area Praxis tests.

Early Childhood Education

Early Childhood Education
Qualifying Score Required Test(s) Certification
156
160
160
157
157
155
159		 Early Childhood Education
Education of Young Children, or
PLT: Grades K-6
Elementary Education: Multiple Subjects
  • Reading & Language Arts
  • Mathematics
  • Social Studies
  • Science
 Early Childhood (PreK-2)
155 English to Speakers of Other Languages
(Applicants must also take appropriate language test)		 Bilingual & Dual Language Education (PreK-2)
155 English to Speakers of Other Languages English as a Second Language (PreK-2)

Elementary Education

Elementary Education
Qualifying Score Required Test(s) Certification
160
—
157
157
155
159		 PLT: K-6
Elementary Education:
Multiple Subjects
  • Reading & Language Arts
  • Mathematics
  • Social Studies
  • Science
 Elementary Education (1-6)
155 English to Speakers of Other Languages
(Applicants must also take appropriate language test)		 Bilingual & Dual Language Education (1-6)
155 English to Speakers of Other Languages English as a Second Language (1-6)

Middle Grades Education

All applicants seeking Middle Grades (5-8) certification are required to successfully complete PLT: Grades 5-9 along with any required Content Area assessments(s).

Middle Grades Education
Qualifying Score Required Test(s) Certification
160 PLT: Grades 5-9 All Middle Grades content areas
155 English to Speakers of Other Languages
(Applicants must also take appropriate language test)		 Bilingual and Dual Language Education
164 Middle School English Language Arts English (Elementary Certificate & Stand Alone)
155 English to Speakers of Other Languages English as a Second Language
165 Middle School Mathematics Mathematics (Elementary Certificate & Stand Alone)
150 Middle School Science Science (Elementary Certificate & Stand Alone)
160 Middle School Social Studies Social Studies (Elementary Certificate & Stand Alone)
-
162
163
161
168		 Select appropriate language test(s):
  • French: World Language
  • German: World Language
  • Latin
  • Spanish: World Language
 World Languages (Elementary Certificate & Stand Alone)

Secondary Education

All applicants seeking Secondary Education (7-12) certification are required to successfully complete PLT: Grades 7-12 along with any required Content Area assessments(s).

Secondary Education
Qualifying Score Required Test(s) Certification
157 PLT: Grades 7-12 All Secondary Education content areas
147 Agriculture Agriculture
155 English to Speakers of Other Languages
(Applicants must also take appropriate language test)		 Bilingual and Dual Language Education
157 Biology: Content Knowledge Biology
167 Business Education: Content Knowledge Business Education
156 Chemistry: Content Knowledge Chemistry
168 English Language: Literature and Composition: Content & Analysis English
155 English to Speakers of Other Languages English as a Second Language
153 General Science: Content Knowledge General Science
160 Mathematics: Content Knowledge Mathematics
146 Physics: Content Knowledge Physics
162 Social Studies: Content Knowledge Social Studies
162
163
161
168		 Select appropriate language test(s):
  • French: World Language
  • German: World Language
  • Latin
  • Spanish: World Language
 World Language

Special Education

Special Education
Qualifying Score Required Test(s) Certification
163
169
160
157		 Special Education.: Teaching Students with Visual Impairments, and
Braille Proficiency
PLT: Grades K-6 -or-
PLT: Grades 7-12		 Blind or Visually Impaired (PreK-12)
160
3 + (170)
160
157		 Special Education: Education of Deaf & Hard of Hearing Students, and
ASL Proficiency Interview
PLT: Grades K-6 -or-
PLT: Grades 7-12		 Deaf & Hard of Hearing (PreK-12)
159 Special Education: Preschool/Early Childhood Early Childhood Special Education
164
160		 Special Education: Core Knowledge and Mild to Moderate Applications
PLT: Grades K-6		 Elementary/Middle School Special Education (K-8)
164
157		 Special Education: Core Knowledge and Mild to Moderate Applications
PLT: Grades 7-12		 Middle/Secondary Special Education (7-12)
164
—
160
157		 Special Ed.: Core Knowledge and Severe to Profound Applications and
PLT: Grades K-6 -or-
PLT: Grades 7-12		 Severe Intellectual Disability (PreK-12)

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Step Four: Rhode Island Application Requirements

Individuals applying to become teachers in Rhode Island must meet the following requirements:

  • Hold a bachelor’s degree (or higher) from an accredited institution;
  • Complete a state and nationally approved teacher education program within five years of application;
  • Submit all official college transcripts and appropriate documentation;
  • Complete all exams required for area licensure;
  • Complete application and pay all required fees.

Visit the website of the Rhode Island Department of Education (RIDE) for more information about the certification process and procedures.

“Rhode Island is a ‘local control’ state, meaning that all hiring of teachers and other personnel is done on the local level by one of our 36 school districts. Because of this, the Rhode Island Department of Education has no comprehensive list of job openings for educational positions in Rhode Island.” – The Rhode Island Department of Education (RIDE)

That said, RIDE does offer a job vacancy platform through SchoolSpring, which lists exclusive teaching jobs within Rhode Island public schools.

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Rhode Island Certification Reciprocity

Rhode Island will accept some teaching credentials from other states. Contact the Rhode Island Department of Elementary and Secondary Education to inquire about your specific situation. Please see the Certification Map interstate reciprocity disclaimer for more information.

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Rhode Island Teacher Salary

  • Incentives to teach in high-needs schools or shortage subject areas: Rhode Island provides no support for teachers working in high-needs schools or instructing shortage subject areas.
  • Policies in place that articulate elements of effective induction: The Rhode Island Department of Education provides induction standards and resources for local educational agencies, but does not mandate statewide induction programs.
  • Average Elementary Teacher Salary: $67,990
  • Average Secondary Teacher Salary: $67,620
  • Average Number of Vacation Weeks Per Year: 17

Figures regarding teacher salaries are sourced from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics’ May 2017 Occupational Employment Statistics report.

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Rhode Island Certification Resources & Links

255 Westminster Street
Providence, Rhode Island 02903
401-222-4600

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