Official Government Website
If preparing Idaho’s youth and adults for high-skill, in-demand careers calls to you, my team at the Idaho Division of Career Technical Education (IDCTE) stands ready to help you on the path to becoming an educator.
Whether you are in high school, college, or considering a career change, there is a pathway to becoming an Idaho educator that is right for you. Please explore the Routes to becoming a CTE teacher and other resources on this page to find your path.
Once you earn your educator certificate, I invite you to stay right here in Idaho. You will find a caring, supportive education environment focused on student learning and improving instruction. As an Idaho native, I can say firsthand that Idaho is a beautiful place to live and be an educator!
Let us know how we can assist you in inspiring others and facilitating the future by becoming an educator.
Sincerely,
Clay Long, Ph.D.
State Administrator
Idaho is seeking career technical educators
Career technical educators instruct students in various technical and career-related subjects, such as information technology, healthcare, business, culinary arts, diesel technology, and more. We are currently experiencing a high demand for CTE teachers. Do you think teaching CTE might be right for you?
CTE certification
CTE certificates are required in public schools, authorizing the holder to teach a specific subject. Emphasis is on occupational experience by teachers who can then help prepare students for a trade or technical profession.
College Student to CTE Teacher (Secondary)
Degree Based Career Technical Certificate
- Baccalaureate degree
- University recommendation for certificate/endorsement including:
- 1,000 clock hours related work experience
- Positive student teaching experience
- Passing of content area PRAXIS II
- Cleared background check and signed legal history questionnaire
- Certificate valid for five years; renewable
The following Idaho universities and colleges have approved CTE educator preparation programs:
- Brigham Young University – Idaho, Dr. Scott Gardner, 208-496-4140
- Idaho State University, Dr. Jamie Webster, 208-282-2783
- University of Idaho, Dr. Taylor Raney, 208-885-1027
Industry Professional to CTE Teacher (Secondary and Postsecondary)
Limited Occupational Specialist (LOS)
- Possess a minimum of a high school diploma or GED.
- Submit to a criminal history check as described in section 33-130, Idaho Code (secondary level only).
- Meet at least one of the following criteria:
- Hold or have held an approved industry certification in a field closely related to the content area in which the individual seeks to teach as defined by the division of career technical education.
- Demonstrate a minimum of 6,000 industry hours—50% of which occurred in the past five years—of professional experience in a field closely related to the content area you want to teach; or
- Hold a baccalaureate degree in a field closely related to the content area in which the individual seeks to teach and demonstrate 2,000 hours—50% of which occurred in the past five years—of professional experience in a field closely related to the content area you want to teach.
- Meet, when applicable, requirements of occupationally related state agencies.
- The non-renewable certificate is valid for three years.
- You may teach while completing requirements to achieve your Standard Occupational Specialist Certificate.
- You must complete an educator training program or courses approved by IDCTE as documented on a Professional Development Form (PDP).
- Complete the summer Pre-service Academy.
Current Teacher to CTE Teacher
CTE Alternative Authorization—Teacher to New Certificate – Secondary ONLY district submission
- Hold a current and valid renewable Idaho educator certificate.
- Identify the desired route to certification:
- Option I: University recommendation for certificate/endorsement.
- Option II: Master’s degree in the endorsement area.
- Option III: Mentor and successful Praxis® score.
- The certificate is valid for one year at a time and renewable up to two times.
Other Routes to CTE Teacher
CTE Alternative Authorization Content Specialist Certificate Secondary – Secondary ONLY district submission
- Employed by a school district.
- Hold a minimum of a baccalaureate degree in any major.
- Demonstrate content knowledge through one of the following:
- Baccalaureate degree in the subject area to be taught.
- Passing score in related of content area PRAXIS II.
- Complete state-approved combination of the following:
- Complete a university program to earn certification recommendation.
- Earn additional industry hours.
- Attain an agreed-upon industry certification.
- Other provisions as individually defined
- The certificate is valid for one year at a time and renewable up to two times.
CTE Alternative Authorization – Content Specialist Application
Individual filling a CTE educator position for one year—Emergency Provisional Certificate
Secondary ONLY district submission
- Awarded only with formal approval by the State Board of Education.
- Must:
- Hold an associates degree or demonstrate 48 semester college credits on an official transcript.
- Provide evidence of a declaration of emergency by the school district.
- The certificate is valid for one year.
Career and technical educators train as teachers in a formal college preparatory program. Others come from industry. For many career & technical educators teaching is a second or third career after they acquire valuable experience in their industry.
Resources
Application for Public Charter School Specific Teacher Certificate
Degree-Based Career Technical Education Application
InSpIRE Ready! Professional Development Plan (postsecondary only)
Secondary Occupational Specialist Application
Postsecondary Occupational Specialist Application
Need More Information?
Kristi Enger
Director
208.429.5528
Nathan Hobbs
Technical Records Specialist II
208.429.5513