No degree yet: the traditional route
For high school students, college students and anyone without a bachelor's degree. You earn the degree and the teacher preparation in one program.
Initial Two-Year or Three-Year Teacher Certificate
Applicants with a bachelor's degree from an accredited university who have completed a teacher preparation program apply for an Initial certificate through TEACH AK. They submit passing basic competency (Praxis) and content area exam scores, a State Approved Program Verification Form, proof of four mandatory trainings and a fingerprint card. The certificate is valid for two years, or three years if the Alaska studies and multicultural coursework is already complete, and it is not renewable.
- Earn a bachelor's degree and complete a teacher preparation program.
- Pass a basic competency exam and the content area exam for your endorsement.
- Complete the four mandatory trainings.
- Submit a fingerprint card for the state and FBI background check.
- Apply in TEACH AK with transcripts, exam scores, the program verification form and fees.
- Move to a Professional or Initial Five-Year certificate before the Initial certificate expires.
Bachelor's in another field: the alternative route
For people who already hold a bachelor's degree in a subject other than education.
Initial Program Enrollment Certificate (district sponsored)
An Alaska public school district can sponsor a teacher who holds a bachelor's degree and is currently enrolled in a state-approved teacher preparation program. Candidates need passing basic competency and content area exam scores (special education enrollees may instead show 9 semester hours of special education coursework), a District Request and Assurance Form for a certified position, the mandatory trainings and a fingerprint card. The certificate is valid for one year, can be extended twice, and is not renewable.
- Enroll in a state-approved teacher preparation program.
- Secure a certified teaching position with an Alaska public school district willing to sponsor you.
- Pass the basic competency and content area exams.
- Complete the mandatory trainings and submit a fingerprint card.
- Apply in TEACH AK with proof of program enrollment, the district request form and fees.
- Apply for each one-year extension before the certificate expires, showing program progress.
Changing careers into teaching in Alaska
If you already have a bachelor's degree and some years in another job, start with the alternative route described above. It is built for people who did not study education.
For pay context, the median annual wage for high school teachers in Alaska was $79,650 in May 2025, according to the BLS OEWS state estimates. If your background matches a subject on the state's shortage list, that list is further down this page.
State-approved alternative certification programs
Not published by the state; check with the agency.
Licensed in another state
For teachers who hold a license from another state and want to teach in Alaska.
Professional Out-of-State Teacher Certificate
Teachers with a current, valid, regular certificate from another US state and two years of teaching experience under that certificate can apply for the Professional Out-of-State certificate. Applicants also need a bachelor's degree from an accredited university, a program verification form and the mandatory trainings; out-of-country certificates are not accepted. The certificate is valid for two years and can be extended once, at no charge, for three more years after Alaska studies and Alaska multicultural coursework is completed.
- Confirm you hold a current, valid, regular teaching certificate from another US state.
- Document two years of teaching experience under that certificate.
- Complete the four mandatory trainings.
- Apply in TEACH AK with transcripts, the program verification form and fees.
- Complete three semester hours each of Alaska studies and Alaska multicultural coursework to extend the certificate.
Required tests, codes and qualifying scores
Alaska uses Praxis and NES Foundations of Reading for teacher licensure. The table lists the core tests by license area, with the qualifying score and fee exactly as the source publishes them. Which tests you take depends on the license area you are seeking, so check the full list for your subject before you register.
| Test | Code | Qualifying score | Fee | For |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Core Academic Skills for Educators (Reading, Writing, Mathematics) Praxis · Basic skills | 5713, 5723, 5733 | Reading 156; Writing 162; Mathematics 150 | $90 per test | Basic competency requirement for Initial, Professional and Initial Program Enrollment certificates (other exams such as CBEST, WEST-B, NES Essential Academic Skills and GRE are also accepted) Source |
| Elementary Education: Multiple Subjects Praxis · Subject knowledge | 5001 (subtests 5002, 5003, 5004, 5005) | 5002: 157; 5003: 157; 5004: 155; 5005: 159 | $180 | Elementary Developmental (K-8); ETS also lists other elementary tests for this area Source |
| Early Childhood Education Praxis · Subject knowledge | 5025 | 156 | $130 | Early Childhood Education (Birth to Age 5) Source |
| Special Education: Foundational Knowledge Praxis · Subject knowledge | 5355 | 145 | $130 | Special Education Source |
| Teaching Reading: Elementary Praxis · Reading instruction | 5205 | 159 | $156 | Alaska Reads Act K-3 Teacher endorsement (exam option; 45 hours of approved professional development also qualifies) Source |
| Foundations of Reading NES (Pearson) · Reading instruction | 890 | 240 | Not published | Alaska Reads Act K-3 Teacher endorsement (alternative exam option) Source |
| English Language Arts: Content Knowledge Praxis · Subject knowledge | 5038 | 167 | $130 | Secondary English Source |
| Mathematics Praxis · Subject knowledge | 5165 | 159 | $130 | Secondary Mathematics Source |
| Biology Praxis · Subject knowledge | 5236 | 154 | $120 | Secondary Biology Source |
| General Science Praxis · Subject knowledge | 5436 | 141 | $130 | Secondary General Science Source |
| Social Studies Praxis · Subject knowledge | 5581 | 153 | $130 | Secondary Social Studies Source |
Scores and fees change. Confirm both on the testing company's page before you register.
Fees, background check and license validity
| Item | Amount | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Initial Teacher Certificate | $200 | Source |
| Professional Teacher Certificate | $200 | Source |
| Renewal of a certificate | $200 | Source |
| Adding or removing an endorsement after initial issuance | $100 | Source |
| Alaska Reads Act endorsement | $50 | Source |
| Fingerprint processing (set by the Department of Public Safety and/or FBI) | $60 | Source |
Background check
Applicants who are not currently employed in a certified position in an Alaska public school district submit one fingerprint card, rolled or scanned and signed by a trained technician, with their application. Criminal history reports must come from the Alaska Department of Public Safety and the FBI; reports from other states, countries or agencies are not accepted. Applicants already employed in a certified Alaska position can send a copy of their current-year contract or a district letter instead. Fee: $60. Source
Your first license
License: Initial Two-Year or Three-Year Teacher Certificate. It is valid for 2 years (3 years if Alaska studies and multicultural coursework is complete at application). Can be extended once for one year at no charge and is not renewable. Holders then apply for a Professional or Initial Five-Year certificate. Source
Renewal
Regular five-year certificates such as the Professional certificate are renewed through TEACH AK. Renewal requires six renewal credits (one semester hour equals one renewal credit), mandatory trainings completed within the previous five years, and a fingerprint card or employment verification. Educators can renew up to one year before expiration, and a certificate expired for less than 12 months can be reinstated. Requirement: 6 renewal credits per 5-year certificate. Source
Teacher pay in Alaska
Elementary teachers in Alaska earned a median of $79,260 a year in May 2025, $15,290 above the national median of $63,970. Half of teachers in each occupation earn more than the median and half earn less. What you earn in a given district depends on its salary schedule, your experience and any graduate credits.
| Teachers | Median | Mean | US median |
|---|---|---|---|
| Elementary SOC 25-2021 | $79,260 | $78,580 | $63,970 |
| Middle school SOC 25-2022 | $78,940 | $81,140 | $64,370 |
| High school (secondary) SOC 25-2031 | $79,650 | $82,460 | $72,040 |
| Special education, elementary SOC 25-2052 | $80,230 | $80,110 | $65,120 |
| Special education, middle school SOC 25-2057 | $81,000 | $81,120 | $66,810 |
| Special education, secondary SOC 25-2058 | $80,580 | $81,150 | $74,260 |
Annual wages, cross-industry estimates, from the BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics May 2025 state tables, retrieved through the BLS Public Data API on November 7, 2026. Special education teachers are shown separately; our guide to the online master's in special education covers the add-on and initial-license options.
Teacher shortage areas, 2026-27
Alaska reported these subject areas to the US Department of Education as teacher shortage areas for the 2026-27 school year.
- Special Education: All Exceptionalities (statewide)
Source: US Department of Education, Teacher Shortage Areas report, retrieved November 7, 2026.
Frequently asked questions
What tests do you need to become a teacher in Alaska?
Alaska uses Praxis and NES Foundations of Reading. Core tests include Core Academic Skills for Educators (Reading, Writing, Mathematics) (5713, 5723, 5733); Elementary Education: Multiple Subjects (5001 (subtests 5002, 5003, 5004, 5005)); Early Childhood Education (5025); Special Education: Foundational Knowledge (5355). Qualifying scores and fees for each test are in the table on this page. The exact list depends on your license area, so confirm it with the Alaska Department of Education and Early Development, Teacher Certification before you register.
Can you become a teacher in Alaska without a teaching degree?
Yes, if you hold a bachelor's degree. An Alaska public school district can sponsor a teacher who holds a bachelor's degree and is currently enrolled in a state-approved teacher preparation program. See our guide to alternative teacher certification for how these programs compare.
How much does a teaching license cost in Alaska?
Published fees include Initial Teacher Certificate: $200; Professional Teacher Certificate: $200; Renewal of a certificate: $200; background check: $60. Add the cost of your required tests (listed above) and your preparation program. Fees change, so confirm current amounts with the Alaska Department of Education and Early Development, Teacher Certification.
Does Alaska accept teaching licenses from other states?
Teachers with a current, valid, regular certificate from another US state and two years of teaching experience under that certificate can apply for the Professional Out-of-State certificate. Contact the Alaska Department of Education and Early Development, Teacher Certification before you move to confirm which tests or coursework, if any, you will need.
How much do teachers make in Alaska?
According to BLS OEWS May 2025 estimates, median annual pay in Alaska was $79,260 for elementary teachers, $78,940 for middle school teachers and $79,650 for high school teachers. Pay varies by district, experience and education.
Sources
- Teacher Certification Alaska Department of Education and Early Development (accessed November 7, 2026)
- Teaching Certificates Alaska Department of Education and Early Development (accessed November 7, 2026)
- District Sponsored Certificates Alaska Department of Education and Early Development (accessed November 7, 2026)
- Basic Competency Exams (Praxis) Alaska Department of Education and Early Development (accessed November 7, 2026)
- Content Area Exams Alaska Department of Education and Early Development (accessed November 7, 2026)
- Alaska Reads Act: DEED-Approved Courses and Exams Alaska Department of Education and Early Development (accessed November 7, 2026)
- Fees Alaska Department of Education and Early Development (accessed November 7, 2026)
- Fingerprint Card Alaska Department of Education and Early Development (accessed November 7, 2026)
- Renewal and Reinstatement Alaska Department of Education and Early Development (accessed November 7, 2026)
- Alaska Required Tests (Praxis) ETS (accessed November 7, 2026)
- Foundations of Reading for Alaska Pearson Evaluation Systems (accessed November 7, 2026)
- Biology (5236) ETS (accessed November 7, 2026)
- Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025 state estimates, Alaska US Bureau of Labor Statistics (accessed November 7, 2026)
- BLS Public Data API (OEWS series OEUS020000000000025202113, OEUS020000000000025202213, OEUS020000000000025203113 and related) US Bureau of Labor Statistics (accessed November 7, 2026)
- Teacher Shortage Areas report, 2026-27 US Department of Education (accessed November 7, 2026)