How to Become a Teacher in Kansas: Tests, Fees and Routes

By the Transforming Education editorial team. Every fact on this page was checked against the source linked beside it on November 7, 2026.

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 Teaching License

New Kansas teachers need a bachelor's degree or higher from an accredited institution, completion of a Kansas-approved teacher preparation program, a teacher work sample verified by the college or university, and passing scores on the content assessment for each endorsement area. Applications are submitted through the Kansas Licensure Application System (KLAS). The Initial Teaching License is upgraded to the Professional License after the teacher completes a two-year mentoring program approved by the Kansas State Board of Education.

1. Earn a bachelor's degree and complete a Kansas-approved teacher preparation program.
2. Complete a teacher work sample verified by your college or university.
3. Pass the Praxis content assessment for each endorsement area and send scores to KSDE.
4. Complete fingerprinting for the criminal background check.
5. Apply for the Initial Teaching License through KLAS and pay the non-refundable processing fee.
6. Complete a two-year state-approved mentoring program while teaching to upgrade to the Professional License.

Source: ksde.gov

Bachelor's in another field: the alternative route

For people who already hold a bachelor's degree in a subject other than education.

Restricted Teaching License

Mid-career professionals with a degree, and heritage language speakers, can teach high-need secondary subjects, plus a limited number of all-level subjects such as art, music and physical education, under a Restricted Teaching License while completing coursework through a participating university. Applicants need a bachelor's degree, a degree or equivalent coursework in the subject, a GPA of at least 2.75 on the most recent 60 credit hours, a passing Praxis content score and supervised practical training. Kansas also offers residency licenses for elementary (LERP) and special education (LRL) career changers.

1. Confirm you have a bachelor's degree, a degree or coursework in the subject, and a GPA of 2.75 or higher on your last 60 credit hours.
2. Pass the Praxis content exam for the subject you plan to teach.
3. Choose a participating university and have your transcript evaluated.
4. Create a personalized plan of study with the university.
5. Find a teaching position through Educate Kansas or district websites.
6. Begin teaching under the Restricted License while completing coursework and supervised practical training.

Source: ksde.gov

Changing careers into teaching in Kansas

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. The 13 programs below are on the state's approved list.

For pay context, the median annual wage for high school teachers in Kansas was $59,920 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

Programs shown are a selection from the state's approved list, checked November 7, 2026. "Online" reflects what the program or the state says about its coursework; teaching practice is always in a real school. The full, current list is on the agency's approved-program page.

Licensed in another state

For teachers who hold a license from another state and want to teach in Kansas.

Out-of-state applicants

Teachers licensed in another state can apply for a Kansas license that matches the endorsements on their current, standard out-of-state license. Kansas requires evidence of a Praxis or comparable content assessment, verification from the approved preparation program, at least one year of teaching experience within the past two years, fingerprints with a passing criminal background check, and an out-of-state license in good standing with no disciplinary action.

1. Request official transcripts showing each degree and its conferral date.
2. Submit a copy of your current, standard out-of-state teaching license.
3. Provide evidence of a passing Praxis or comparable content assessment.
4. Have your preparation program's unit head or designated official complete the program verification form.
5. Document at least one year of teaching experience within the past two years.
6. Complete fingerprinting and the criminal background check, then apply through KLAS.

Source: ksde.gov

Required tests, codes and qualifying scores

Kansas uses Praxis 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.

Scores and fees change. Confirm both on the testing company's page before you register.

Fees, background check and license validity

Background check

Applicants for a first Kansas license, applicants renewing an expired license, and anyone who has never submitted fingerprints for a Kansas license must be fingerprinted. Prints can be taken by a law enforcement agency with LiveScan and sent digitally to the KBI using KSDE code 902KS1600, or taken on a Kansas FD-258 card that is mailed to KSDE with the fee and waiver form. License holders are also enrolled in an ongoing background check. Fee: $57 (plus any fee the fingerprinting agency charges). Source

Your first license

License: Initial Teaching License. Upgrades to the Professional (5-year) License after a two-year mentoring program approved by the Kansas State Board of Education. A Temporary Nonrenewable License, valid only through June 30 of the school year issued, is available to initial applicants who meet every requirement except the Praxis content assessment. Source

Renewal

The Professional License is renewed every five years with a renewal application, the licensure fee and one renewal option completed during the license term. Options include National Board Certification; professional development points under an approved individual development plan (120 points with an advanced degree, or 160 points including at least 80 from college credit with a bachelor's degree); 8 credit hours in an approved program; or, for advanced degree holders, three years of recent accredited experience. Requirement: 120 professional development points (advanced degree) or 160 points (bachelor's degree) every 5 years. Source

Teacher pay in Kansas

Elementary teachers in Kansas earned a median of $56,450 a year in May 2025, $7,520 below 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.

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

Kansas reported these subject areas to the US Department of Education as teacher shortage areas for the 2026-27 school year.

• Special Education: Deaf/Hearing Impairment, Early Childhood, Severely and Profoundly Handicapped, Visual Impairment (statewide)

Source: US Department of Education, Teacher Shortage Areas report, retrieved November 7, 2026.